CLAWS Lithography Engineer

NC State University

Raleigh, Northern (NC, KY)

Hybrid

USD 99,000 - 121,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Childcare benefits

Wellness membership

Wellness programs

Job summary

NC State University seeks a skilled lithography engineer to join the CLAWS program. The role focuses on leading lithography process development for wide-bandgap devices and supporting both internal researchers and external collaborators.

Ideal candidates will have extensive hands-on experience with contact and projection lithography, wafer coat/develop, and electron/direct-write systems, and will help advance lab-to-fab capabilities within a university research environment.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering; five or more years of lithography engineering experience in a university, government, or industry lab.
Excellent hands-on skill with troubleshooting and repairing lab equipment.
Ability to work independently as well as in a team.

Responsibilities

Lead design and optimization of lithography processes for wide‑bandgap devices.
Provide process integration support to users; translate requirements into repeatable lithography workflows.
Perform high‑quality service work for internal and external customers; ensure uptime and process stability.

Skills

Hands-on troubleshooting

Communication with students

Independent and team work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

Tools

Lithography tools

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number PG194452EP

Internal Recruitment

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title

Working Title CLAWS Lithography Engineer

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with Education and Experience (up to $110,000)

Work Schedule

Job Location

Department

Department Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (CLAWS)

About the Department

North Carolina State University is leading the charge as the recipient of a >$78 million award from the Department of Defense to establish the regional Microelectronics Commons regional innovation hub, Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors ( CLAWS ). This initiative, part of the larger $2B investment through the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors ( CHIPS ) and Science Act, aims to revolutionize the field of wide bandgap semiconductors.

Hub leadership, Distinguished Professors John Muth and Fred Kish, are dedicated to the “lab to fab” journey—translating laboratory advancements into fabrication capabilities for wide bandgap semiconductors. The hub brings together a dynamic partnership with N.C. A&T State University and industry leaders, including MACOM , Coherent Corp., General Electric, Bluglass, Adroit Materials, and Kyma Technologies, Inc. This collaborative effort will propel the development of semiconductors crucial for national defense, electric vehicles, power grid technologies, 5G/6G, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence applications.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership , and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

We are seeking a highly‑skilled lithography engineer to join our team and contribute to the ownership for NNF’s suite of lithography capabilities. The ideal candidate will have deep, hands‑on experience in all lithographic processes; including contact lithography tools, stepper/projection lithography tools, automated wafer coat/develop stations, and e‑beam/laser direct-write systems.

Process Research & Development

Advanced Development: Lead the design and optimization of cutting‑edge photolithography processes tailored for next‑generation applications, specifically targeting wide‑bandgap devices for RF, power electronics, and photonics.
Technical Consultation: Provide expert‑level process integration support to internal and external users, translating complex device requirements into repeatable lithographic workflows.
Service Excellence: Execute high‑precision service work for external customers, ensuring all deliverables meet rigorous industry standards for semiconductor fabrication.
Serve as the primary technical lead for lithography toolsets, ensuring maximum uptime and process stability through regular baseline monitoring.
Maintenance & Repair: Independently perform scheduled preventative maintenance and diagnose/repair unscheduled hardware failures to minimize facility downtime.
Vendor Management: Manage relationships with equipment manufacturers; coordinate complex service visits, manage service contracts, and oversee major tool overhauls.

User Training & Technical Communication

Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for students and researchers, certifying users on tool operation, chemical safety, and lithographic theory.
Act as the central communication hub for the lithography area, providing timely updates to management and users regarding tool status, process drifts, or facility interruptions.

Facility Operations & Compliance

Actively participate in facility safety audits and uphold strict cleanroom protocols to ensure a safe working environment for all personnel.
Maintain meticulous records including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), maintenance logs, user databases, and training certifications.
Oversee the lithography supply chain, managing the inventory of specialized chemicals, resists, and critical spare parts to ensure uninterrupted lab operations.

Other Responsibilities

Performing all necessary day‑to‑day tasks required to operate a multi‑user facility such as ordering and maintaining consumables inventory, contributing to housecleaning/lab organization, maintaining lab‑level documentation, etc.
Contributing to technical discussions with users and staff.
Working with/mentoring student staff.
Working with fellow NNF staff members in other semiconductor fabrication technologies (etch, deposition, metrology, etc.).

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering discipline
Five or more years of experience working as a lithography engineer in a university, government, or industry laboratory

Other Required Qualifications

Excellent hands‑on skill with troubleshooting and repairing lab equipment
Ability to work and communicate effectively with all levels of personnel, including students
Must be able to work independently as well as make positive team contributions
Familiarity with environmental health and safety protocols
Must be comfortable working safely with chemicals and compressed gases
Eligibility to obtain clearance upon request of the US government

Preferred Qualifications

M.S. or Ph.D. in Science or Engineering discipline
Ten years of experience working as a lithography engineer in a university, government, or industry laboratory
Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems
Experience with electron beam lithography
Two or more years working in an R1 University setting

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Valid NC Driver's License required

Commercial Driver's License required

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date

02/05/2026

Anticipated Close Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Position Number

00111842

Position Type

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

1.0

Appointment

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID

140110 - CLAWS

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

* How did you learn of this opportunity?
- NCSU Website
- NCSU Executive Search Services
- Monster.com
- CareerBuilder.com
- InsideHigherEd.com
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- HERC
- Professional Journal
- Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
- Professional Organization
- Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
- NCSU Employee Referral
- Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
- Other
If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have a basic understanding of Environmental Health and Safety Procedures?
- Yes
- No
* Please briefly list and describe the types of equipment / systems that you have experience supporting (i.e. installing, maintaining, repairing, etc.). In your response, please also include a brief description of the environment(s) in which you have provided support.
(Open Ended Question)