Senior Materials and Surface Science Engineer

nEye Systems, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 316,848,000 - 371,952,000; Full time

Job summary

nEye Systems, Inc. in Santa Clara is seeking a Senior Materials Scientist to improve optical performance in semiconductor fabrication processes. This critical role requires a PhD and 7-15+ years of experience in materials science or photonics. The successful candidate will analyze material interfaces and lead initiatives to enhance device reliability and yield while collaborating closely with design and process teams. Compensation ranges between $230,000 to $270,000 an hour based on experience and skills.

Qualifications

• 7 - 15+ years of experience in semiconductor, photonics, or adjacent advanced materials environments.
• Deep understanding of surface chemistry and interface physics in semiconductor systems.
• Expertise in dielectric and semiconductor thin films and metallization.

Responsibilities

• Investigate how surface chemistry and material interfaces impact performance.
• Lead investigations connecting fabrication outcomes to device-level performance.
• Collaborate with fabrication partners on process evaluation and optimization.

Skills

Surface chemistry expertise

Materials characterization techniques

Plasma processes knowledge

Materials analysis intuition

Education

PhD in Materials Science, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

SEM

TEM

AFM

XPS

Ellipsometry

SIMS

Job description

About us

nEye.ai, a well-funded optical switch startup, is poised to revolutionize the future of data centers. nEye’s MEMS-based silicon photonics optical circuit switches (OCS) eliminate critical bottlenecks in AI processing by enabling direct optical connections among thousands of GPUs and memory units. The company's OCS is an ultra-low power consumption, high radix, compact chip-scale design, offering hyperscale data centers enhanced performance, efficiency, and scalability.

Job Overview

We are looking for a senior individual contributor with deep expertise in materials science and surface chemistry as it applies to semiconductor fabrication and optical systems.

This role is critical to understanding and improving how fabrication processes at the material and interface level impact optical performance in our silicon photonics devices.

You will work across design, process, and test to analyze, diagnose, and improve material interfaces, thin films, and surface interactions that directly affect device behavior, reliability, and yield.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate how surface chemistry and material interfaces in silicon-based photonic and MEMS material systems impact performance
• Analyze effects of etching, deposition, oxidation, and plasma processes on surface states, morphology, and optical mechanisms
• Partner with design and process teams to translate material-level insights into improved device performance and manufacturability
• Lead investigations connecting fabrication outcomes to device-level optical and mechanical performance
• Design and interpret experiments involving thin films, interfaces, and surface treatments (e.g., passivation, cleaning, annealing)
• Collaborate with fabrication partners on process evaluation and optimization
• Utilize and guide characterization efforts using techniques such as SEM, TEM, AFM, XPS, ellipsometry, SIMS, etc.
• Develop models or frameworks that connect process to material properties and optical outcomes

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 7 - 15+ years of experience in semiconductor, photonics, or adjacent advanced materials environments
• Deep understanding of surface chemistry and interface physics in semiconductor systems
• Expertise in dielectric and semiconductor thin films and metallization.
• Strong knowledge of plasma processes, etching, deposition, oxidation, and their impact on materials

• Strong intuition for how material properties affect optical phenomena
• Experience working in or closely with semiconductor fabs / foundries
• Hands-on experience with failure analysis and materials characterization techniques

Nice to Have Skills

• Direct experience with silicon photonics or optical devices
• Familiarity with waveguides, optical interfaces, or photonic integration
• Experience in MEMS fabrication or integration
• Background in process development or integration engineering
• Exposure to modeling optical-material interactions

$230,000 - $270,000 an hour

Starting salary and title will depend on, and be commensurate with, relevant industry experience, skills, training, education, market demands, and the ultimate job duties and requirements.

nEye.ai is an Equal Opportunity Employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.