Senior Nanofabrication Process Engineer, Photonics

Quantum Computing Inc.; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) seeks a highly motivated Process Engineer for its Thin-Film Lithium Niobate photonics foundry.

You will perform hands-on semiconductor fabrication in a cleanroom, lead R&D experiments, and drive process improvements for robust, cost-efficient photonic devices. Responsibilities include SPC-driven process control, transition to wafer-scale manufacturing, and mentoring junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or Physics.
• 5+ years hands-on semiconductor process engineering experience.
• Experience in e-beam lithography, photolithography, plasma dry etching, wet etching and cleaning, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, e-beam evaporation, or metal electroplating.
• Hands-on metrology with CD-SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, film-thickness measurement systems, and particle-measurement systems for process verification.
• Ability to design and execute technical experiments, analyze results, and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Strong problem-solving skills with data analysis, SPC, and DOE.
• Ability to work in a cleanroom and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Experience defining inspection methods and SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on semiconductor and photonic device fabrication in a cleanroom environment using nanofabrication tools.
• Design, lead, and execute R&D experiments to improve nanofabrication results, process stability, and yield.
• Facilitate transition of research-scale processes to wafer-scale manufacturing.
• Use advanced metrology tools for process characterization and defect analysis.
• Troubleshoot deviations and implement corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Establish and maintain SPC systems for monitoring and optimization.
• Mentor junior engineers in lithography, wet processing, and metrology.
• Develop SOPs, process specs, and work instructions.

Skills

e-beam lithography

photolithography

plasma dry etching

wet etching

chemical vapor deposition

physical vapor deposition

e-beam evaporation

metal electroplating

CD-SEM

AFM

Ellipsometry

Profilometry

XPS

XRD

DOE

SPC

data analysis

cleanroom

Education

Bachelors/Master/PhD in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or Physics

Tools

CD-SEM

AFM

Ellipsometry

Profilometry

XPS

XRD

Job description

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) (Nasdaq: QUBT) is an innovative, integrated photonics company that provides accessible and affordable quantum machines to the world today. QCi's products are designed to operate at room temperature, consume minimal power, and remain cost-effective. The Company's portfolio of core technologies and products offers unique capabilities in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and remote sensing.

Position Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Process Engineer to join our Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) photonics foundry team. This role focuses on semiconductor nanofabrication, process development, and the continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for advanced TFLN photonic integrated devices. This is a hands-on cleanroom engineering position, and the successful candidate will spend a significant portion of their time operating fabrication equipment, troubleshooting processes, and conducting experiments in the cleanroom. The candidate will be accountable for developing and maintaining robust processes that support QCi's manufacturing objectives for safety, quality, cost, and delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on semiconductor and photonic device fabrication in a cleanroom environment using a range of nanofabrication tools, including e-beam and photolithography systems, plasma etchers, chemical and physical vapor deposition systems, e-beam evaporators, and metal electroplating equipment.
• Design, lead, and execute R&D experiments to improve nanofabrication results, process stability, repeatability, yield, and overall process capability.
• Facilitate the transition of research-scale, chip-level processes to low- and medium-volume wafer-scale manufacturing.
• Use advanced metrology tools, including critical-dimension scanning electron microscopy (CD-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), ellipsometry, profilometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and optical interferometry, for process characterization and defect analysis.
• Troubleshoot process deviations, particle contamination, and equipment or unit-process performance issues; implement corrective actions and continuous-improvement strategies.
• Establish and maintain statistical process control (SPC) systems for process monitoring and optimization.
• Collaborate with process integration, equipment, and design engineers, as well as other foundry team members, to resolve fabrication challenges.
• Support rapid experimental iteration and maintain short turnaround times between fabrication, characterization, data analysis, and subsequent process runs.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), process specifications, work instructions, and best-known-method documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership in semiconductor lithography, wet processing, mask processes, and related metrology.
• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on semiconductor process engineering experience, with expertise in at least one of the following areas: e-beam lithography, photolithography, plasma dry etching, wet etching and cleaning, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, e-beam evaporation, or metal electroplating.
• Hands-on experience with metrology tools such as CD-SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, film-thickness measurement systems, and particle-measurement systems for process verification and defect analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute technical experiments, analyze results, and draw meaningful conclusions from experimental data.
• Strong problem-solving skills and experience with data analysis, SPC, and design of experiments (DOE).
• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment and collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Experience defining and implementing inspection methods, calibration systems, and SOPs

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on semiconductor process engineering experience, with expertise in at least one of the following areas: e-beam lithography, photolithography, plasma dry etching, wet etching and cleaning, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, e-beam evaporation, or metal electroplating.
• Hands-on experience with metrology tools such as CD-SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, film-thickness measurement systems, and particle-measurement systems for process verification and defect analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute technical experiments, analyze results, and draw meaningful conclusions from experimental data.
• Strong problem-solving skills and experience with data analysis, SPC, and design of experiments (DOE).
• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment and collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Experience defining and implementing inspection methods, calibration systems, and SOPs

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of industry experience in compound semiconductor fabrication or photonic integrated circuit processing.
• Experience with nanofabrication of photonic devices, process integration, photonic material properties and modification, and the integration of MEMS and electronic devices. Specific knowledge of lithography, etching, deposition, sputtering, and related processes is highly valued.
• Experience applying large-scale data analytics to track-and-trace datasets to enable predictive insights and real-time defect containment.
• Experience with heterogeneous wafer-to-wafer or chip-to-wafer bonding is valued.
• Experience with 5S and Six Sigma methodologies.

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Incumbent(s) in this position may be required to perform other duties and special assignments not specifically stated above. Statements outlined in this section are designated as essential job functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.