Equipment Engineer, Dry Etch

Caltech; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Caltech’s Quantum Photonics Group is seeking an Equipment Engineer, Dry Etch to manage and optimize nanofabrication equipment in the campus cleanroom. The role involves operating deposition and etching tools, SEMs, and related systems, with a focus on uptime, maintenance, and knowledge transfer to lab users.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 2+ years of hands-on semiconductor equipment experience, with a strong emphasis on mechanical and electrical systems,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Eng or related field.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in semiconductor equipment operation, maintenance, repair, and installation.
• Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and documentation skills.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs and work in a cleanroom with PPE.
• On-site schedule Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; flexibility for extra hours.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain semiconductor nanofabrication equipment and related systems.
• Respond to equipment failures and downtime; implement procedures to reduce downtime.
• Develop and execute preventative maintenance plans to maintain high performance and reliability.
• Plan, install, commission, test, and document new equipment with defined protocols.
• Create SOPs and training materials; provide guidance to operations and maintenance staff.

Skills

Excel

Word

Outlook

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Quantum Photonics Group (led by Principal Investigator (PI) Oskar Painter) is seeking an Equipment Engineer, Dry Etch to assist in the day-to-day technical operations of its cleanroom facilities on the Caltech campus. The QPG Equipment Engineer will take an important role in maintaining peak performance of state-of-the-art nanofabrication equipment, which includes material deposition systems (e.g. plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, physical vapor deposition), material etching systems (e.g. reactive ion etchers, vapor HF), a scanning electron microscope, fume hoods for wet chemistry, and other supporting tools; responsibilities for equipment will be shared with other technicians and a process engineer, with whom the QPG Equipment Engineer will work closely. The QPG Equipment Engineer will be expected to take ownership of equipment by both learning how to operate it at peak performance and by administering the types of maintenance and alignments that keep it dialed in to peak performance for use by the lab’s quantum device researchers. When repairs are needed, the successful candidate will be able to combine problem-solving skills with mechanical, electrical, and vacuum system know-how to return equipment to optimal working order, then document the solutions to make future repairs. The QPG Equipment Engineer will carry out test protocols and preventative maintenance plans that minimize the chance of equipment failure, thereby maximizing its uptime for the lab’s researchers. The successful candidate will become an expert in equipment operation to the point of being able to train lab users to also expertly operate the equipment. Overall, the QPG Equipment Engineer will be expected to contribute to the lab culture and capabilities and strive to meet the high standards necessary to run a world-class research operation.

Equipment operation and maintenance:

• Perform routine inspection, preventive maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, and vacuum systems for semiconductor nanofabrication equipment, along with other integrated systems for gas delivery, motion control, etc.
• Follow established methods to monitor equipment performance and operating parameters, including performing daily checklists and routine process qualifying runs, in order to ensure equipment is operating at peak performance.

Troubleshooting and technical support:

• Respond quickly to equipment failures, system alarms, downtime, and operational issues. Establish response procedures to reduce downtime and improve efficiency.
• Perform repairs and diagnosis by reading through equipment and utility schematics, soliciting advice from vendors, and formally communicating with other team members.
• For repairs that rise to the level of needing attention from vendor service people (most equipment will be covered under service contract), first coordinate the service, then follow through until the service is complete. This includes documenting the service visit and formally communicating results to the other team members.

Preventive maintenance and reliability improvement:

• Formally develop and execute preventative maintenance plans for equipment to keep performance at the established, high standard.
• Monitor performance indicators to continuously improve equipment reliability while reducing maintenance costs.
• Lead in formally creating, updating, and maintaining equipment troubleshooting documents that can be used to address commonly encountered problems.
• Help to maintain, upgrade, and back up computer systems in the lab (e.g., computers for individual instruments, login terminals, and new computer networking projects).

Equipment installation and continuous improvement:

• Participate in the planning, installation, commissioning, testing, and acceptance of new equipment, then formally establish operational protocols and maintenance plans for such equipment.

Documentation and training:

• Help maintain organized data records that can be used to verify performance and indicate when maintenance and/or alignments of equipment components are necessary.
• Develop standard operating procedures, maintenance documentation, and emergency response procedures.
• Provide technical training and guidance to operations and maintenance personnel on the proper operation and maintenance.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related scientific discipline.
• 2+ years of technical hands‑on experience in semiconductor equipment operation, maintenance, repair, and installation.
• A high level of craftsmanship and a thorough knowledge of mechanical design, materials, tools, units, and basic measurement techniques.
• Attention to detail and excellent problem‑solving and debugging skills.
• Willingness to formally maintain highly organized data records.
• An ability to learn quickly and adequately transfer that knowledge to others through teaching/formal documentation.
• A desire to meet – and set – high standards.
• Ability to work independently, with a high level of responsibility.
• Strong communication skills with the supervisor, vendors, and lab users.
• Teamwork skills and an ability to collaborate with coworkers having diverse skills and backgrounds.
• On‑site during peak hours (8am-5pm, Monday through Friday), with the ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends, when necessary.
• Proficiency with the following software: Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Basic computer maintenance and troubleshooting skills, e.g., new hardware installs, networking, performing hard drive backups.
• Must be able to work in a cleanroom setting, following all established protocols for gowning, PPE, and safety.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to perform other duties and ad hoc tasks as assigned, which may not be explicitly listed above but are consistent with the general scope and responsibilities of this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years in Dry etch (strongly preferred), Metrology, Lithography, and/or Wet Process experience.
• Experience working with Autocad, Solidworks.
• Experience working with UHV vacuum systems and leak detection.
• Experience with project engineering or project management is a plus.

Required Documents

• Resume

Hiring Range

$75,000 to $110,000 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time.

Learn more about our benefits and staff perks .

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Caltech complies with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We consider reasonable accommodation measures that may be necessary for eligible applicants and employees to perform the essential functions of a position.

If you would like to request an accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please contact Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail] .

Additionally, if you do not meet the basic qualifications of a role but believe you can perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation, please reach out to Caltech Recruiting at [e-mail] .