MEMS Process Engineer - Si Photonics for Optical Switches

nEye Systems, Inc.; Emeryville (CA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401k

Healthcare coverage

Fitness center

Job summary

nEye Systems, Inc. is seeking a highly experienced MEMS Process Engineer to define and improve Si photonics MEMS technology at the heart of our optical switches. You will participate in regular process meetings and help frame wafer fabrication strategies in Emeryville and at UC Berkeley labs.

The role offers exposure to MEMS/Photonics/failure analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and opportunities to work with foundries and evolve into integration/foundry engineering over time.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in EE, materials science, applied physics or related field.
• Experience with Si photonics or MEMS technologies.
• 3+ years hands-on microfabrication experience.
• Experience with failure analysis, metrology and process development.
• Experience with mask design, thin film deposition and etching.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate to translate chip design and product needs into device designs and fabrication methods.
• Develop and improve fabrication methods and materials for optical switch tech.
• Partner with vendors and foundries to develop and refine processes.
• Advise wafer fab team members to solve fabrication issues.

Skills

Si photonics

MEMS technologies

Microfabrication

Process development

Design for fabrication

Fail ure analysis

Mask design

Thin/film deposition

Etching

Education

Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, Chemistry, or related

Tools

KLayout

COMSOL

Ansys

Lumerical

Coventor

Job description

About Us:

nEye.ai, a well-funded optical switch startup, is poised to revolutionize the future of data centers. nEye’s MEMS-based silicon photonics optical circuit switches (OCS) eliminate critical bottlenecks in AI processing by enabling direct optical connections among thousands of GPUs and memory units. The company's SuperSwitch is an ultra-low power consumption, high radix, compact chip-scale design, offering hyperscale data centers enhanced performance, efficiency, and scalability.

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced and proactive MEMS Process Engineer to be a key player in defining and improving our Si photonics MEMS technology, which is at the heart of our optical switches. You will be an active participant in our regular company process meetings and help frame our wafer fabrication technologies and strategies.

You will be successful if you thrive in a fast-paced environment, can participate in multiple work streams simultaneously, and are passionate about solving problems and learning. The position is based in Berkeley/Emeryville and includes working in both our Emeryville location and in the Marvell Nanofabrication Laboratory on the UC Berkeley campus.

Due to the exposure to the MEMS/Photonics/Failure Analysis team, you can expect to broaden and deepen your technical knowledge. This position offers the opportunity to work with foundries and advance into an integration/foundry engineering role over time.

Key Responsibilities

Wafer Design and Fabrication Methodologies:

• Collaborating with other team members to understand chip design and product system-level requirements and translating those learnings into specific device designs and fabrication methodologies.
• Developing and improving fabrication methodologies and exploring appropriate materials to advance our optical switch technology.
• Partnering with external vendors and technology providers to develop fabrication methods and procedures.
• Collaborating with external foundries to establish and refine fabrication processes.

Wafer Processing:

• Running wafers through our lab and performing critical analysis on process steps.
• Designing and implementing process short loops.
• Advise and assist other wafer fab team members to collaboratively identify and solve fabrication-related issues.

Essential Skills

• Master's or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience with Si photonics or MEMS technologies
• 3+ years hands-on experience with microfabrication methods and techniques.
• Experience with failure analysis, metrology, and process development.
• Experience with mask design, thin film deposition and characterization, and wet/dry etching.
• Experience with developing and scaling processes from inception to prototyping and production.

Preferred Skills

• Experience designing and executing detailed experimental protocols.
• Excellent interpersonal communication (written and oral), and leadership skills.
• Strong communication skills for managing foundry and vendor interactions.
• Demonstrated proficiency with layout tools (e.g., KLayout), accompanied by introductory exposure to Process/MEMS/photonics simulation platforms (e.g., COMSOL, Ansys, Lumerical, Coventor).

Perks and Benefits

• Opportunity to join a small well-funded start-up company, doing pioneering work in optical switches
• Competitive salary and equity package, including early-stage company stock options
• 401k
• Full healthcare coverage: medical, dental, and vision
• Fitness center access

$125,000 - $200,000 a year

Starting salary and title will depend on, and be commensurate with, relevant experience, skills, training, education, market demands, and the ultimate job duties and requirements.

nEye is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.