Nanofabrication Engineering Manager

SLAC; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks a Laboratory Operations Manager to lead technical coordination and oversight of nano@stanford's Nano Patterning and Flexible Cleanroom Fabrication facilities. You will support researchers in turning ideas into real structures and devices while promoting hands-on education in fabrication.

Ideal candidates bring hands-on expertise with deposition and lithography tools, strong safety practices, and proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with physical vapor deposition systems, electron-beam lithography, plasma etch tools, or similar equipment.
• Familiarity with research fabrication environments, tool maintenance and repairs.
• Consumables management and vendor relations in a lab setting.
• Commitment to a strong safety culture and incident prevention.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical coordination and oversight of nano@stanford facilities.
• Support researchers in translating ideas into fabricable structures and devices.
• Champion educational initiatives to make advanced fabrication accessible to innovators.
• Oversee tool maintenance, repairs, and consumables management.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects and document workflows; manage vendor relations.
• Foster collaboration and consensus across stakeholders and teams.

Skills

Physical vapor deposition

Electron-beam lithography

Plasma etch tools

Fabrication equipment coordination

Job description

WORK SCHEDULE:
Work Schedule: On-site work arrangement; employee is expected to work on-site full-time.

BUDGETED SALARY:
$150,197 - $196,000

SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:
nano@stanford is Stanford University's largest shared experimental research facility, providing access to world-leading expertise and capabilities in nanoscale science and engineering. We serve over 1,400 researchers from Stanford and leading academic, industrial, and government institutions across the US and globally—spanning fields from medicine and biology to fundamental physics and astronomy. Our nearly 40,000 sq ft of cleanrooms and satellite laboratories house 300+ state-of-the-art instruments for fabricating and characterizing materials and devices. But beyond the equipment, nano@stanford is a vibrant, collaborative research community where innovation thrives.

POSITION SUMMARY:
We're seeking a Laboratory Operations Manager to lead technical coordination and oversight of nano@stanford's Nano Patterning and Flexible Cleanroom Fabrication facilities. In this role, you'll support our world-class researchers in transforming innovative ideas into real structures and devices, while championing educational initiatives that make advanced fabrication accessible to innovators everywhere. You will bring hands-on experience with physical vapor deposition systems, electron-beam lithography, plasma etch tools, or similar equipment, and a proven track record in micro- or nano-device fabrication. You will have deep familiarity with research fabrication environments, including tool maintenance and repairs, consumables management, vendor relations, documentation, and—most importantly—fostering a strong safety culture. You have excellent communication skills, with demonstrated success coordinating technical working groups, cross-functional projects, and diverse teams. You excel at translating complex technical concepts and building consensus across stakeholders. You are a collaborative team player who thrives on developing creative, practical solutions—whether addressing daily lab challenges or making the case for strategic equipment investments. And most of all, you're passionate about enabling the next generation of scientists and engineers and genuinely believe in the power of accessible, world-class research facilities.