Senior Process Engineer

Substrate Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Substrate Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to lead the development and characterization of nanofabrication processes for advanced semiconductor platforms.

The role is hands-on, requires working in multiple cleanrooms and user facilities, directing teams, and owning lithography, deposition, and etch strategies to drive device performance and process maturity. You will coordinate experiments, record data, and contribute to building Substrate’s internal

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on micro- or nanofabrication in cleanroom facilities.
• Experience leading work safely and collaboratively in a cleanroom.
• Willingness to work across multiple user facilities in the SF Bay Area.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, prototype, and characterize nanofabricated optical devices.
• Fabricate MEMS/NEMS devices using lithography, deposition, and etching.
• Own fabrication strategies and design process flows with CAD layouts.
• Iterate designs to optimize lithography, deposition, and etch parameters.
• Characterize thin films and patterns with SEM, AFM, XPS tools.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team across facilities.

Skills

Hands-on fabrication

Cleanroom leadership

Team collaboration

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Education

M.S. or higher in a relevant field

Tools

Raith EBPG 5200/5200+

SEM

AFM

XPS

Ellipsometry

Job description

At the intersection of advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge physics, Substrate is developing technologies that will further America's technological leadership and dominance in semiconductor fabrication. We're a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and technical experts spanning many disciplines.

Senior Process Engineer

Location

Employment Type

Full time

Location Type

On-site

Department

Scientific

Senior Process Engineer

Substrate is addressing one of the most important technological problems facing the United States. At the intersection of advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge physics, we are developing technologies that will reshape the semiconductor industry and strengthen America's technological leadership. We are a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and technical experts building technology for the United States.

Summary

You will be responsible for conceptualizing and prototyping critical components of our platform through process development and materials characterization. This role will require you to work hands-on in several cleanrooms and user facilities around the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as direct the work of others. You will own aspects of our fabrication process, conducting a mix of micro- and nanofabrication as well as characterization of the materials and structures that you create. This hands-on work will include (but will not be limited to) many nanofabrication techniques including lithography, wet and dry deposition and etching.

You will also participate in the build-up of Substrate’s own internal research facilities. You will be a key contributor to early-stage development and testing which are critical to our challenging mission to shape the semiconductor industry for decades to come.

Responsibilities

Collaborating closely with Substrate’s technical team to conceptualize, design, prototype, and characterize nanofabricated optical devices

Hands-on fabrication of MEMS/NEMS devices using techniques such as photo- and electron beam lithography, thin film deposition, and wet and dry etching. This work will be done in several user facilities (primarily around the San Francisco Bay Area, but with the possibility of travel beyond the Bay Area)

Ownership of fabrication strategies in lithography, deposition, and etch, as well as designing process flows, material compatibility studies, and mask layout CAD

Iterating through structural designs and tuning lithography, deposition, and etch parameters to optimize processes and improve performance

Mechanical, optical, and chemical characterization of thin films using techniques such as profilometry, ellipsometry, and XPS

Characterization of pattern fidelity and resolution using techniques such as SEM and AFM

Select and scope bulk material, nanopatterned structures, and thin film characterization strategies to better study the mechanical, chemical, and optical properties that drive device performance

Designing, coordinating, and conducting experiments in various user facilities

Contribution to the build-up and installation of Substrate’s own internal research facilities

Recording, processing and interpreting data and results to the wider team

Required Qualifications

7 years of hands-on micro- or nanofabrication experience in cleanroom user facilities

Demonstrated ability to lead work safely and collaboratively in a cleanroom user facility

Willingness and ability to work in several user facilities around the San Francisco Bay Area several days per week

Demonstrated experience handling delicate samples and operating complex fabrication and characterization equipment

Deep understanding of, and ability to design based on, micro- and nanofabrication considerations such as top-down vs. bottom-up, pattern transfer, material compatibilities, etch selectivity and directionality, and thin film and surface engineering

Deep understanding of the mechanical, optical, and chemical properties of materials which typically determine the performance of nanofabricated devices

Strong written and oral communication skills. High attention to detail and organizational skills

Ability to solve complex design challenges both independently and as part of a team

Ability to collaborate with a large and multidisciplinary technical group

M.S. or higher degree in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related discipline in the physical or engineering sciences

Preferred Qualifications

5+ years of hands-on experience in characterization techniques such as electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy

Experience operating a Raith EBPG 5200/5200+, including aligned exposures

3+ years of hands-on experience in inductively coupled plasma etching, with a strong understanding of the principles of plasma etching and recipe parameters

3+ years of experience in industrial R&D

Experience with instrument scoping, procurement, installation, and commissioning

Experience with safety procedures and best practices when working with potentially hazardous liquid chemicals

Salary Range

$200,000-$300,000 USD

Substrate is an equal opportunity employer. It provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Substrate will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the hiring process, please let your recruiter know.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.