Nanoelectronics & Device-Physics Engineer: Nanoscale Actuator Design

Astera Institute; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Astera Institute in Emeryville, CA seeks a Nanoelectronics & Device-Physics Engineer to design the electrostatic drive and a field‑effect sensor for a nanoscale actuator, and own its fabrication and electrical characterization. This is a full‑time onsite position.

Responsibilities include designing the drive stack to achieve ~10 nm displacement and ~100 pN at low drive voltage, and delivering a low‑noise readout for nm‑scale motion.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS in electrical engineering, applied physics, or materials science is required.
• Experience with high-k dielectrics and thin-film stacks.
• Cleanroom processing knowledge and electron-beam lithography experience.

Responsibilities

• Design the electrostatic drive stack with ~10 nm displacement and ~100 pN force at low drive voltage.
• Design a field‑effect sensor and low-noise readout for nanometer motion in closed-loop control.
• Define the full device stack and direct its fabrication, including e-beam lithography, at cleanroom partners.
• Characterize the finished device with voltage–displacement response, reversibility, hysteresis, and AFM measurements.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Low-noise measurement

Education

Electrical engineering

Tools

Electron-beam lithography

AFM

Job description

The Astera Institute in Emeryville, CA seeks a Nanoelectronics & Device-Physics Engineer to design the electrostatic drive and a field‑effect sensor for a nanoscale actuator, and own its fabrication and electrical characterization. This is a full‑time onsite position.

Responsibilities include designing the drive stack to achieve ~10 nm displacement and ~100 pN at low drive voltage, and delivering a low‑noise readout for nm‑scale motion.