Development Technician 5 (7170C) - NanoLab

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley seeks a Development Technician to support the Nanofabrication Laboratory and the NanoLab Machine Shop. You will install, maintain, and modify semiconductor equipment, and create precise drawings for fabrication using CAD tools.

Responsibilities include equipment problem solving, fabrication with CNC mills and lathes, and ensuring safety procedures are followed while collaborating with researchers and staff.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED and seven years of technical and craft experience.
• Ability to MIG & TIG Weld.
• Ability to operate machine shop equipment.
• Ability to operate wood working equipment.
• Ability to design and make working drawings using CAD software.
• Ability to work from drawings, blueprints, sketches and verbal instructions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of MSDS chemicals and gases.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations.
• Design, documentation, drawing, and layout skills.

Responsibilities

• 50% Equipment and Facilities Support: install, facilitate, and modify environment for semiconductor systems.
• Respond quickly to equipment problems and document system status.
• 30% Design and Fabrication: create working drawings and fabricate devices with CNC and manual tools.
• Select materials and craft precision components for lab equipment.
• 10% Documentation: use Mercury database and manage manuals, procedures, and reports.
• 10% Safety and training: promote safe practices and train staff and researchers.

Skills

MIG Welding

TIG Welding

CAD Software

Machine Shop Equipment

Blueprint Reading

Safety & OSHA Knowledge

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CAD software

Milling machines

Lathes

Table Saws

Miter Saws

Router

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and providing space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

The Marvell Nanofabrication Laboratory (NanoLab) and the NanoLab Machine Sshop are independently managed recharge operations that exist within the UCB College of Engineering. The Machine Shop's primary objective is to support NanoLab mechanical and facilities requirements. The NanoLab is a 15,000 sq. ft. ultra-clean, particle free facility that houses over 150 pieces of semiconductor equipment, which serves the research needs of over 500 researchers yearly. The Machine Shop is equipped with band saws, drill press, table saw, sheet metal tooling, MIG/TIG welding, 3D printer, manual & CNC mills and lathes including a 5-axis HAAS VF2. The shop can produce precision machine work with tolerances to .001" for all types of metals, composites, plastics and woods. The shop has the capability to weld both ferrous and non-ferrous metals ranging from .020" thin stainless steel to 1" thick aluminum. The shop specializes in ultra-high vacuum system fabrication and orbital welding. The Machine Shop supports research and education facilities and equipment in the areas of integrated circuits and systems; micro/nanofabrication technologies for integrated microelectronics, optics and MEMS; and advanced materials design and development for a wide range of interdisciplinary applications. The Machine Shop provides rigging, installation, design, fabrication, modification and repair of specialized precision instruments and specialized support systems to all College of Engineering departments and other UCB departments or campuses.

Under the general supervision of the Machine Shop Engineering Technical Supervisor, the Development Technician is responsible for siting, facilitating, developing, supporting, repairing, and modifying semiconductor processing and nanotechnology equipment for the Nanofabrication Laboratory and for faculty research laboratories and support spaces. In addition, the Development Technician monitors and evaluates operation of various specialized laboratory utilities, such as air, compressed gases, nitrogen, oxygen, heating ventilating and air conditioning, cooling water and process waste streams. Semiconductor research facilities are among the most complex, costly, and technically demanding research facilities. Included in the mission of the NanoLab Machine Shop in Cory Hall is supporting such an operation.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: September 17, 2026 - Open Until Filled

Location and Working Hours

Location: Main Campus - Berkeley

Contract Type: Full Time

Responsibilities

50% Equipment and Facilities Support:

• Independently installs, facilitates, and modifies environment to accommodate semiconductor processing and nanotechnology equipment. Equipment includes analytical systems for measuring thin films and semiconductor substrate properties, bonders, chillers, dicing saws, rapid thermal processors, photolithography track and exposure tools, sputter systems, etchers, atmospheric and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition furnaces, process cooling water systems and vacuum systems.
• Respond quickly to equipment problem reports. Update status, repair and document systems using the NanoLab computer and software programs.

30% Design and Fabrication:

• Using CAD tools and hand drawings, design, and make working drawings as needed to support systems.
• Fabricate intricate devices using computer numerically controlled (CNC) and manual milling machines, lathes, saws, grinders, table saw, miter saw, drill presses, and hand tools. Selecting from a broad range of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, OFHC copper, plastics, wood, etc., determine which materials are the best choice for application.

10% Documentation:

• Understand and use the Mercury database to mark equipment status, enable tools, enter comments and problem reports and add needed support documents. Write, edit and revise equipment manuals, support documents, startup and shutdown procedures, and additional reports as needed. Utilizing the Machine Shop Jobs Management System, maintain up-to-date records of assignments. Track and document job status. Maintain spare parts and a database of parts sources for assigned equipment.

10% Assist in the development of, and follow standard operating procedures and best known methods for safety and to prevent injuries:

• Practice and comply with safe working practices to assure personal safety and safety to the lab environment for colleagues and researchers.
• Understand and work within guidelines to protect the environment.
• Provide direction, guidance and training to less experienced engineers, staff and researchers.
• Offer instruction and training in support of staff development and equipment, support, and repair.

Required Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and seven years of technical and craft experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to MIG & TIG Weld.
• Ability to operate machine shop equipment. Milling machines, lathes, saws, hand tools, etc.
• Ability to operate wood working equipment. Table Saws, Miter Saws, Router.
• Ability to design and make working drawings using CAD software.
• Ability to work from drawings, blueprints, sketches and verbal instructions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of MSDS corrosive/toxic chemicals and gases.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations.
• Design, documentation, drawing, and layout skills.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $45.70 to $52.63 hourly. This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Non-exempt and paid biweekly.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The