Research Intern: Scalable Fabrication of Superconducting Quantum Devices

Rigetti Computing, Inc.; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Part time

Job summary

Rigetti Computing is seeking a motivated research intern to support superconducting qubit fabrication at the Mevell NanoLab cleanroom at UC Berkeley. The intern will work with scientists and engineers on the design and fabrication of superconducting qubits, focusing on scalable nanofabrication processes and device development.

You will gain hands-on experience across the fabrication workflow, including device layout, lithography, plasma etching, and characterization, and you will help analyze

Qualifications

• Hands-on semiconductor cleanroom experience required.
• Experience with lithography techniques (photolithography or electron-beam).
• Experience with dry etching (ICP/RIE).
• Proficient with GDSII CAD layouts (KLayout/Layou tEditor, Cadence, L-Edit).
• Strong experimental skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate superconducting qubits and Josephson junctions in a cleanroom.
• Prepare, edit, and verify CAD layout files.
• Develop and optimize lithography processes.
• Operate and assist with plasma etching (ICP/RIE).
• Electrical and structural characterization of fabricated structures.
• Analyze fabrication data to identify trends and improve yield and uniformity.
• Document experimental procedures, results, and design iterations.
• Collaborate with scientists and process engineers to improve scalability and reproducibility.

Skills

Hands-on cleanroom experience

Experimental skills

Attention to detail

Independent yet collaborative work

Education

Background in electrical engineering / physics / materials science

Tools

GDSII-based CAD tools

KLayout

LayoutEditor

Cadence / L-Edit

Job description

Rigetti is seeking a motivated research intern to support superconducting qubit fabrication at Mevell NanoLab cleanroom at UC Berkeley. The intern will work closely with scientists and engineers on the design and fabrication of superconducting qubits, with an emphasis on scalable nanofabrication processes and device development. Fabricated devices will be measured and compared at Rigetti to inform process development.

What You'll Learn

The intern will gain hands‑on experience in the complete fabrication workflow for superconducting quantum circuits, including device layout, nanofabrication, microscopy, and process optimization. They will work alongside experienced researchers developing scalable fabrication technologies for quantum integrated circuits and contribute directly to advancing superconducting quantum hardware.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate superconducting qubits and Josephson tunnel junctions in a cleanroom environment. This includes:
  • Prepare, edit, and verify CAD layout files.
  • Develop and optimize lithography processes.
  • Operate and assist with plasma etching processes (ICP/RIE).
• Electrical and structural characterization of fabricated structures.
• Analyze fabrication data to identify process trends and improve yield and uniformity.
• Document experimental procedures, process results, and design iterations.
• Collaborate with scientists and process engineers to improve the scalability and reproducibility of superconducting qubit fabrication.

Required Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience working in a semiconductor or nanofabrication cleanroom.
• Demonstrated experience with one or more lithography techniques, including photolithography or electron‑beam lithography.
• Demonstrated experience with dry etching techniques such as ICP and RIE.
• Fluent in one or more CAD layouts using GDSII‑based tools (e.g., KLayout, LayoutEditor, Cadence, L‑Edit, or similar).
• Strong experimental skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a fast‑paced research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current or past membership with Marvell Nanolab cleanroom at UC Berkeley.
• Experience with AlOx Josephson junctions.
• Training in electrical engineering, materials science, physics, or related fields.

$35 - $50 an hour

Rigetti complies with all local and state regulations in regards todisplayingsalary ranges. Generally, we pay according to academic experience: Undergraduate ($35), Masters ($45), Graduate Level ($50). Additionally, Rigetti will provide a housing stipend up to $2,000 for candidates who relocate for the summer.

As engineering leaders, we value diversity and are committed to building a culture of inclusion to attract and engage innovative thinkers. Our technology, meant to serve all of humanity, cannot succeed if those who built it do not mirror the diversity of the communities we serve. Applications from women, minorities, and other under‑represented groups are encouraged.

About Rigetti

Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full‑stack quantum computing. The company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government, and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The company's proprietary quantum‑classical infrastructure provides ultra‑low latency integration with public and private clouds for high‑performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry's first multi‑chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The company designs and manufactures its chips in‑house at Fab‑1, the industry's first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 and today employs more than 150 people with offices in the United States, U.K., and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

Export Licensing Compliance

Rigetti is committed to full compliance with applicable anti‑discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.