Lead Experimental Plasma Physics Engineer: Build & Own the Lab

Zenithon; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenithon is an applied frontier lab for extreme physics. We build foundation models that simulate plasmas, so engineers can explore far more of the design space before they build anything.

This is a founding role in semiconductor plasma etch: you will stand up the capability, decide its direction, and own how experiments are set up, run, and measured. You will work with modelers to test ideas and connect data to models.

Qualifications

• PhD in plasma physics, applied physics, or related engineering field.
• Hands-on experience running experiments on dry etch reactors and improving them.
• Experience leading experimental work from plan to result with external partners.
• Python for instrument control and analysis.
• Clear communication with modelers, engineers and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the build of our experimental capability from the start: setup, diagnostics and processes.
• Own the experimental program with modelers: campaigns, measurements, and order of operations.
• Make careful plasma and process measurements: probes, optical emission, ion energy analyzers, VI probes and etch rates.
• Get hands-on with vacuum, gas and RF hardware, and keep experiments stable and repeatable.
• Automate experiments and data capture in Python to learn faster with every run.
• Lead joint campaigns with external partners from planning to results.
• Help hire and shape the experimental team as the work grows.

Skills

Clear communication

Python programming for instruments

Education

PhD in plasma physics / related field

Tools

Dry etch reactors

Vacuum systems

RF hardware

Optical emission

Ion energy analyzers

Job description

Zenithon is an applied frontier lab for extreme physics. We build foundation models that simulate plasmas, so engineers can explore far more of the design space before they build anything.

This is a founding role in semiconductor plasma etch: you will stand up the capability, decide its direction, and own how experiments are set up, run, and measured. You will work with modelers to test ideas and connect data to models.