Senior Optical & Electronic Materials Fabrication Engineer

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Electronic and Optical Materials Device Fabrication Engineer to advance world‑class micro- and nanoscale devices. The role centers in cleanrooms and labs at JHU‑APL in Laurel, MD, with extensive cross‑facility collaboration and stringent security requirements.

You will design multilayer layouts, develop fabrication recipes for optics, and optimize processes using AI/ML while maintaining detailed documentation and data

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related fields required; PhD preferred.
• 7+ years in microfabrication/nanofabrication cleanrooms.
• Proficiency in multilayer layout design and Python automation for data analysis.
• Experience optimizing etch/deposition: thermal evaporation, e-beam, sputtering, PECVD, ICP RIE, ion mill.
• Willingness to travel to shared cleanrooms and labs.
• Eligible for Interim Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship required for Top Secret access.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize multilayer layouts with Python for layout generation and data analysis.
• Develop advanced fabrication recipes for multilayer optics using e-beam and direct-write lithography.
• Build and maintain GDS/layout databases with automation for parametric layout generation and design rule checks.
• Develop data-analysis pipelines linking design, fabrication, and metrology data for CD, overlay, and yield trends.
• Apply AI/ML approaches to improve fabrication processes.
• Refine deposition techniques across e-beam, thermal, sputter, PECVD, ALD, MOCVD systems.
• Characterize thin films using SEM/EDS, XPS, XRD, AFM, ellipsometry and film stress analysis.
• Execute precision etching to meet design specs and tolerances.
• Maintain and update runsheets and process documentation for repeatability.

Skills

Multilayer layout design

Python scripting

e-beam lithography

Data analysis pipelines

GDS/layout databases

AI/ML in fabrication

Deposition techniques

Process characterization

Education

Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

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

Tools

SEM/EDS

XPS

XRD

AFM

Ellipsometry

MOCVD

PECVD

ICP RIE

Job description

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Electronic and Optical Materials Device Fabrication Engineer to advance world‑class micro- and nanoscale devices. The role centers in cleanrooms and labs at JHU‑APL in Laurel, MD, with extensive cross‑facility collaboration and stringent security requirements.

You will design multilayer layouts, develop fabrication recipes for optics, and optimize processes using AI/ML while maintaining detailed documentation and data