Cleanroom Safety & Process Engineer

Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 76,335 - 107,823; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Wellness program

Retirement plan

Commuting support

Job summary

Northeastern University’s Kostas Center is seeking a Cleanroom Safety & Process Engineer to lead safety and operations of our nanofabrication cleanroom and H5 room. The role focuses on hazardous gas systems, regulatory compliance, and incident investigations, while maintaining tool uptime and safe processes for researchers.

The successful candidate will supervise chemical inventory, training, and SOP development, partnering with EH&S and facilities to ensure a compliant and efficient

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 3–5 years in cleanroom process engineering or microfabrication environment.
• Experience with etching, thin film deposition, lithography, or related processes.
• Knowledge of hazardous gas systems, gas cabinets, and toxic gas monitoring.
• SCBA certification or medical clearance and annual fit testing.
• On-call for emergencies outside regular hours.
• Strong understanding of cleanroom safety and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as facility safety officer for cleanroom operations, ensuring OSHA/EPA/NFPA 318 compliance.
• Maintain SOPs for cleanroom tools, H5 equipment, gas cabinets and tGMS.
• Lead gas safety audits, cylinder changes, and leak detection campaigns.
• Coordinate with OARS, PREF, EH&S and Facilities for access, shutdowns, and activities.
• Perform daily/weekly inspections of H5 room and equipment; support maintenance and repairs.
• Manage chemical inventory, gas deliveries, and PPE availability.
• Develop training programs on safety protocols and equipment use.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in engineering

3–5 years cleanroom experience

Microfabrication processes

Hazardous gas systems knowledge

SCBA trained / respirator readiness

On-call emergency response

Cleanroom safety & regulatory know-how

Strong communication & teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or closely related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Cleanroom Safety & Process Engineer

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY:

The Cleanroom Safety & Process Engineer will play a critical role in the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the Kostas Center's cleanroom and H5 room environments. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring the safe operation of a nanofabrication cleanroom facility with particular emphasis on the management of toxic, corrosive, pyrophoric, and otherwise hazardous gases. This position combines hands-on process engineering expertise with comprehensive safety oversight, including management of toxic and flammable gas systems, chemical inventory, personnel training, and regulatory coordination. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in microfabrication, cleanroom operations, and hazardous materials safety. This role goes well beyond traditional technician-level responsibilities. The ideal candidate functions as a subject-matter expert who develops safety protocols, leads incident investigations, drives continuous improvement in tool uptime and reliability, and serves as the primary technical authority on hazardous materials within the cleanroom environment. The Kostas Nanoscale Technology and Manufacturing Research Center at Northeastern University is a state-of-the-art facility supporting cutting-edge research in nanoscale fabrication. Our cleanroom and associated high-hazard (H5) facilities serve a diverse community of internal and external researchers working at the forefront of microfabrication and nanotechnology.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, or a closely related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of professional experience in cleanroom process engineering, microfabrication, or a closely related environment.
• Demonstrated experience with microfabrication processes, including etching (wet and/or dry), thin film deposition, lithography, or related techniques.
• Working knowledge of hazardous gas systems, gas cabinets, and toxic gas monitoring systems.
• SCBA trained or medically cleared to successfully complete SCBA training upon hire and pass annual respirator fit testing and medical evaluation.
• On-call availability for emergency response to gas alarms, tool failures, and safety incidents outside normal business hours.
• Strong understanding of cleanroom safety protocols, chemical hygiene, and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively across teams.

Preferred qualifications:

• Direct experience working with toxic and/or flammable gases in a cleanroom or semiconductor fabrication environment.
• Prior experience developing and maintaining SOPs for complex laboratory or cleanroom equipment.
• Experience coordinating with environmental health and safety (EH&S) or facilities management organizations.
• Familiarity with gas monitoring systems (tGMS) and emergency response procedures for gas-related incidents.
• Experience training and mentoring technical staff or research personnel in cleanroom operations and safety.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, work on elevated platforms, and access confined spaces as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Safety & Compliance:

• Act as the facility safety officer or designee for all cleanroom operations, ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA 318 (Cleanroom Fire Protection), SEMI S2/S8 standards, and applicable local/state regulations.
• Manage chemical hygiene plans, hazardous waste streams, SDS libraries, and chemical inventory tracking systems within the cleanroom.
• Maintain current SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) certification or obtain certification promptly upon hire; must be medically cleared for SCBA training and use.
• Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all cleanroom tools and H5 equipment, including gas cabinets and the toxic Gas Monitoring System (tGMS), emergency response plans, and exposure mitigation strategies.
• Maintain and calibrate continuous toxic gas monitoring (TGM) systems, ensuring alarm set-points comply with OSHA PELs, ACGIH TLVs, and IDLH thresholds.
• Lead quarterly gas safety audits, cylinder change-out inspections, and leak detection campaigns using methods such as FTIR, electrochemical sensors, and colorimetric detection.
• Interface with the Office of Academic Research Safety (OARS) and Facilities (PREF) to coordinate facility access, shutdowns, and any activities that may impact cleanroom or H5 room operations.

Cleanroom & H5 Room Operations:

• Perform daily and weekly inspections of the H5 room and all associated equipment, ensuring safe and reliable operation at all times.
• Operate and maintain cleanroom process tools for both internal and external users, including equipment that utilizes high-hazard toxic and flammable gases.
• Develop and maintain PM schedules, qualification procedures, and tool-specific lockout/tagout (LOTO) protocols that integrate safety requirements with production throughput targets.
• Assist with cleanroom tool maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs to minimize downtime and ensure equipment safety and performance.
• Manage relationships with OEM vendors for tool service, spare parts procurement, and system upgrades; evaluate and commission new tools as needed.
• Support microfabrication and etching processes, providing hands-on expertise to research users as needed.

Inventory, Procurement & Logistics

• Manage the cleanroom chemical inventory, including tracking, ordering, and procurement of chemicals and consumables.
• Coordinate gas deliveries, cylinder changeovers, and vendor maintenance for the cleanroom and H5 room.
• Oversee the inventory and availability of H5 room safety controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Oversee facility subsystems critical to safety: HVAC and air handling, DI water, chemical distribution, scrubber/abatement systems, fire suppression, and emergency exhaust.

Training & User Support:

• Develop and deliver training programs for personnel on general cleanroom activities, safety protocols, and proper use of equipment.
• Provide guidance and operational support to internal and external users, ensuring safe and effective use of cleanroom and H5 room resources.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

110S

Expected Hiring Range:

$76,335.00 - $107,823.75

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.