Nanofabrication Equipment Engineer

Fabric8Labs; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

401(k)

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Fabric8Labs, based in San Diego, CA, seeks a Nanofabrication Equipment Engineer to support the Printhead Department as we scale ECAM production. This role focuses on preventive maintenance, reliability, and continuous improvement of nanofabrication tools in a fast-paced environment.

You will plan and execute PM schedules, troubleshoot complex electro-mechanical systems, and collaborate with process engineers to optimize tool performance while maintaining strict cleanroom and EHS standards.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of proven nanofabrication or microfabrication in a production cleanroom.
• Experience in a fast-paced R&D environment with ability to adapt and learn new processes quickly.
• Strong knowledge of vacuum technology, RF/DC power supplies, gas delivery systems, and thin-film deposition.
• Experience troubleshooting complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of vacuum pumps, load locks, pressure control systems, mass flow controllers, chillers, and high-vacuum hardware.
• Experience with preventative maintenance programs and equipment reliability engineering.
• Strong analytical and root cause investigation skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventative maintenance (PM) on nanofabrication equipment. Primarily Sputter (PVD) tools but also lithography, wet processing, and metrology tools.
• Develop and optimize preventative maintenance schedules based on equipment performance and component lifetime.
• Define replacement intervals for shields, targets, cathodes, vacuum seals, pumps, valves, RF components, and motion systems.
• Improve maintenance procedures to reduce downtime while maintaining process stability.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, vacuum, gas delivery, RF, and control system issues.
• Calibrate and qualify equipment after maintenance or repairs.
• Partner with process engineers to optimize tool performance and minimize variation.
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, spare parts inventory, and service documentation.
• Lead installation, commissioning, acceptance testing, and qualification of new equipment.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that increase equipment reliability and production capacity.
• Support cleanroom expansion and infrastructure efforts.
• Ensure compliance with cleanroom protocols and EHS requirements
• Respond to tool-down situations in a timely and structured manner.
• Perform cleanroom and facility checks.
• Interface with external parts suppliers and service providers, when necessary

Skills

Nanofabrication

Cleanroom

Vacuum systems

Electro-mechanical

PM programs

Root cause analysis

Process optimization

Troubleshooting

Job description

Nanofabrication Equipment Engineer

Fabric8Labs

11075 Roselle Street, San Diego, CA 92121

Job details

$90,000 - $100,000 a year

Full-time

Benefits

• Parental leave
• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance

Full job description

Fabric8Labs, headquartered in sunny San Diego, CA, is revolutionizing advanced manufacturing with next-generation 3D printing technology. We're looking for a Nanofabrication Equipment Engineer to support the Printhead Department as we scale our patented Electrochemical Additive Manufacturing (ECAM) process for global production.

ECAM uses precise, room-temperature metal deposition to unlock geometries and applications that conventional metal AM can't reach. Since announcing our agreement to be acquired by TDK Corporation, we're rapidly expanding our team to advance this disruptive technology across a wide range of electronics components—including data center infrastructure, wireless communications, and power electronics.

As a Nanofabrication Equipment Engineer, you'll be a crucial part of the team, responsible for planning multiple product and technology development projects in a fast-paced environment spanning NPI and production.

If you're excited to help shape the future of manufacturing alongside a growing team, come join us. We thrive on collaborative problem-solving and are eager to bring in diverse minds and perspectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform preventative maintenance (PM) on nanofabrication equipment. Primarily Sputter (PVD) tools but also lithography, wet processing, and metrology tools.
• Develop and optimize preventative maintenance schedules based on equipment performance and component lifetime.
• Define replacement intervals for shields, targets, cathodes, vacuum seals, pumps, valves, RF components, and motion systems.
• Improve maintenance procedures to reduce downtime while maintaining process stability.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, vacuum, gas delivery, RF, and control system issues.
• Calibrate and qualify equipment after maintenance or repairs.
• Partner with process engineers to optimize tool performance and minimize variation.
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, spare parts inventory, and service documentation.
• Lead installation, commissioning, acceptance testing, and qualification of new equipment.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that increase equipment reliability and production capacity.
• Support cleanroom expansion and infrastructure efforts.
• Ensure compliance with cleanroom protocols and EHS requirements
• Respond to tool-down situations in a timely and structured manner.
• Perform cleanroom and facility checks.
• Interface with external parts suppliers and service providers, when necessary

Required Skills and Experience

• 2+ years of proven experience in nanofabrication or microfabrication processes in a production cleanroom environment.
• Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced research and development environment with ability to adapt and learn new processes quickly.
• Strong understanding of vacuum technology, RF/DC power supplies, gas delivery systems, and thin-film deposition.
• Experience troubleshooting complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of vacuum pumps, load locks, pressure control systems, mass flow controllers, chillers, and high-vacuum hardware.
• Experience with preventative maintenance programs and equipment reliability engineering.
• Strong analytical and root cause investigation skills.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experiencing maintaining a fleet of industrial linear-track sputtering lines.
• Hands-on experience supporting semiconductor or advanced manufacturing equipment.
• Experience scaling from LVM to HVM.
• Experience in designing and building cleanrooms.
• Experience with 3D modeling

Why Work at Fabric8Labs?

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package, health, dental, and vision plans; 401(k) with employer match; and an unmetered vacation policy.
• We have a collaborative work environment where we work in tight knit teams focused on transforming manufacturing technology.
• Regular catered company events and celebrations, and a fully stocked breakroom!

Other information

• Routinely required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to type, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch. Routinely required to move around the facility.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• May require travel (domestic and/or international) dependent on business needs, up to 10%
• Specific vision abilities that may be required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Fabric8Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Fabric8Labs prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person