Cleanroom Manager

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah’s Utah Nanofab seeks an experienced Cleanroom Manager to provide hands-on leadership in engineering, science, and operations for a world-class micro- and nano-fabrication facility. The role oversees day-to-day cleanroom operations, equipment maintenance, user training, safety, budgeting, and strategic planning, enabling cutting-edge R&D in microelectronics and nanotechnology.

The position requires strong technical depth, leadership experience, and a passion for fostering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or related field required or equivalent work experience.
• Graduate level degree preferred for advanced responsibilities.
• Experience managing a shared cleanroom facility or equivalent environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering, scientific, and operational leadership for the Utah Nanofab cleanroom.
• Oversee facility infrastructure, HVAC, gases, water, vacuum, and safety systems.
• Lead user training, SOPs, safety documentation, and annual safety town halls.
• Supervise engineers, technicians, and student assistants; conduct performance reviews.
• Develop budgets, billing rates, and cost-recovery models; manage procurement.
• Guide fabrication process flows and collaborate with faculty on research initiatives.

Skills

Process integration

Multi-tool fabrication workflows

E-beam lithography

Facility infrastructure knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

Billing systems

Cost recovery models

Job description

Cleanroom Manager

Job Summary

The Utah Nanofab is seeking an experienced, hands-on CleanroomManager to provide engineering, scientific, and operationalleadership for its world-class micro-\u2013and nanofabrication facility.The manager oversees day-to-day cleanroom operations, equipment andinfrastructure maintenance, user training, safety, budgeting, andstrategic planning. This position plays a pivotal role in enablingleading-edge research and development in microelectronics, sensors,materials, micro optics, and nanotechnology. The successfulcandidate will demonstrate technical depth, leadership experience,and a passion for fostering a collaborative researchenvironment.

Multi-Discipline Engineering Management

Direct/Manage/Supervise engineers and technicians performingresearch, design, and development across multiple engineeringdisciplines. Develop processes, policies, and procedures and ensureall engineering projects align with the organization's objectives.Collaborate with multiple engineering disciplines, management,sales and marketing, and related departments as necessary todetermine engineering feasibility, cost effectiveness, and demandfor engineering products and services. Manage engineeringverification activities to ensure product or service deliverablesare met on-time and conform to the organization's and/or client's specifications. Advise leadership and other impacted departments onproduct or design changes which may affect profit, schedule, cost,or client relationships. May be required to approve designs thatcan impact the health, safety, and welfare of the general public,as required by law.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy

• Provide engineering, scientific, and operational leadership forthe Utah Nanofab cleanroom.
• Maintain and advance the Nanofab's reputation as a world-classuser facility supporting academic, industrial, and governmentresearch.
• Collaborate with faculty and leadership to develop and executestrategic plans for equipment acquisition, facility upgrades, and
  research initiatives.
• Represent the Nanofab to the broader scientific community,including coordinating tours, outreach, and developmentefforts.
• Prepare for and lead external reviews and assessments of theNanofab program.

Facility and Equipment Management

• Work with facilities and staff safety engineer to oversee allaspects of cleanroom infrastructure, including HVAC, process gases,DI water, vacuum, and safety systems.
• Supervise equipment maintenance, installation, and processdevelopment across thin-film, etch, lithography, and packagingtools.
• Establish repair and preventative maintenance priorities andensure minimal downtime.
• Coordinate with campus facilities, safety, and vendors forservice, repairs, and upgrades.

User Support, Training, and Safety

• Direct user training programs, ensuring safe and effectiveoperation of tools and adherence to protocols.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), onlinetraining modules, and safety documentation.
• Conduct user group meetings, annual safety town halls, andindividual process consultations.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, cleanliness, andrespect among users and staff.

Staff Management and Mentorship

• Supervise and mentor engineers, technicians, and studentassistants.
• Assign roles and responsibilities, conduct annual performancereviews, and coordinate team development.
• Promote collaboration and communication between cleanroom,surface analysis, and administrative teams.
• Support recruitment, retention, and advancement of staff fromall backgrounds.

Budgeting and Administration

• Develop and manage cleanroom budgets, user billing rates, andcost recovery models.
• Provide financial analysis and operational metrics to the PriceCollege of Engineering and theVice President for Research.
• Oversee procurement, vendor relationships, and contractnegotiations.

Research and Technical Expertise

• Provide micro/nanofabrication services and process guidance forinternal and external projects.
• Collaborate with faculty and students to develop and optimizefabrication process flows.
• Support advanced research activities including e-beam and UVlithography, PVD, CVD,RIE/DRIE, wet etch, 3D microprinting, andmetrology.

Working Conditions

• Work performed primarily in a cleanroom environment.
• Frequent standing, walking, and working in protectivegarments.
• Occasional handling of chemicals, hazardous gases, and use ofsafety equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher educationcan be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience(Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related workexperience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following joblevels:

Senior Supervisor, Multi-Discipline EngineeringManagement: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 4years or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly relatedwork experience.

Manager, Multi-Discipline Engineering Management:Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (orequivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Senior Manager, Multi-Discipline EngineeringManagement: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 8years or a master's (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly relatedwork experience.

Preferences

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering or physical sciencediscipline.
• 7-10 years of experience managing a shared cleanroom facilityor equivalent industrial environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in process integration and multi-toolfabrication workflows.
• E-beam lithography experience and expertise
• Experience with cost recovery models, billing systems, and ratedevelopment.
• Hands-on experience with facility infrastructure (air handling,process gases, DI water, vacuum, exhaust).

Requisition Number: PRN45987B

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Work Schedule Summary: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Department: 00052 - UTAH NANOFAB

Location: Campus

Pay Rate Range: 90,000-130,000

Close Date: 10/31/2026