PVD Research Engineer II – Thin-Film Deposition

blueorigin; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Education support program

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a lab-focused materials scientist for Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE). You will operate vacuum deposition systems (thermal evaporation, co-evaporation, sputtering) to produce high-quality thin films for photovoltaic devices, and run experiments in a hands-on lab environment.

You will record data, analyze results, and help improve processes, with emphasis on safety, documentation, and collaboration with the device integration team to meet specifications.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related field.
• 2+ years of vacuum thin-film deposition experience (academic or industry).
• Hands-on experience operating vacuum systems (thermal evaporators, sputter coaters).
• Understanding of thin-film growth physics (nucleation, crystal orientation, stress).
• Familiarity with thin-film characterization techniques (profilometry, XRD, SEM, optical).
• Safe handling of vacuum equipment, compressed gases, and laboratory chemicals.
• Strong documentation habits and attention to experimental detail.

Responsibilities

• Operate vacuum deposition systems to deposit thin-film layers per recipes and DOE plans.
• Perform film characterization (thickness, profilometry, 4-point probe, optical, XRD prep).
• Maintain vacuum equipment (source changes, chamber cleaning, pump maintenance, substrate fixtures).
• Record data and maintain lab notebooks to research-grade standards.
• Analyze process data and present results; suggest recipe modifications.
• Prepare substrates and run matrices for DOE campaigns; compile results.
• Assist with equipment commissioning, qualification runs, and CP studies.
• Contribute to SOPs and safety documentation.
• Collaborate with device integration to meet target films on schedule.
• Conduct lab maintenance and manage consumables inventory.

Skills

Vacuum thin-film deposition

Hands-on vacuum systems

Thin-film characterization

Documentation and data recording

Safety with vacuum equipment

Thin-film growth physics

Education

Bachelor's or Master in Materials Science / related field

Tools

Thermal evaporators

Sputter coaters

XRD instrumentation

Job description

Blue Origin is seeking a lab-focused materials scientist for Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE). You will operate vacuum deposition systems (thermal evaporation, co-evaporation, sputtering) to produce high-quality thin films for photovoltaic devices, and run experiments in a hands-on lab environment.

You will record data, analyze results, and help improve processes, with emphasis on safety, documentation, and collaboration with the device integration team to meet specifications.