Epitaxy Engineer

We believe quantum computing will change everything.  It will have the power to transform the foundations of giant industries that rely on intensive computation.  PsiQuantum is on a mission to build the world’s first useful quantum computer, capable of delivering these transformative results.  We know that means it will need 1 million qubits, error correction, a scalable architecture and a data center footprint.

By harnessing the laws of quantum physics, quantum computers can provide exponential performance increases over today’s most powerful supercomputers, offering the potential for extraordinary advances across a broad range of industries including climate, energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials design, and many more. 

PsiQuantum is uniquely positioned to deliver on the promise of quantum computing years earlier than our competitors. Our architecture is based on photonics which gives us the ability to produce our components using existing high-volume semiconductor manufacturing processes, the same processes that are today producing billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics applications. Since photons don’t feel heat, we can take advantage of existing cryogenic cooling systems, the kind that have been operating at facilities like the Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC).  And because photons are in fact light, they can move between subsystems at tremendous speed using standard fiber connectivity.

Our team is building a utility scale quantum computer and the software tools needed to build fault tolerant quantum applications. We’re a highly motivated and collaborative group focused on a singular goal - building the world’s first useful quantum computer on the fastest path possible. 

There’s much more work to be done and we are looking for exceptional talent to join us on this extraordinary journey! 

Job Summary:

The PsiQuantum Fab Engineering team will jointly develop a switch technology platform working with our development partners. The development efforts will include the development of new materials and the process which meet the requirements of PsiQ’s product development plans for a commercially available quantum computer.

The teams’ primary responsibilities are the enablement of a new technology or modules in PsiQ’s Fab. The team will support in defining process assumptions, process tolerances, wafer acceptance criteria, patterning solutions, tool selection, process development for new structures and materials. Additionally, the team will develop the technology primary in Molecular-Beam Epitaxy (MBE) and analyze in-line data and generate appropriate engineering line controls.

The Epitaxy Engineers will work within PsiQ Fab to develop epitaxial deposition processes of oxide thin films at 300 mm wafer scale. They will be required to work as part of a small team focused on rapid process development and testing. The Epitaxy Engineers will work closely with other team members to design and execute experiments, drive innovations in epitaxial oxide deposition, analyze and review metrology data, consistently working to reduce cycle time, and improve deposition hardware in collaboration with tool vendors.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute epitaxial oxide thin film deposition processes via MBE.
• Plan and design deposition experiments aimed at improving film quality and performance.
• Deliver 300 mm oxide thin films that meet or exceed pre-determined specifications to customers.
• Regularly monitor particle and trace metal contamination within deposition system and proactively address tool cleanliness issues.
• Analyze and review metrology data with thin film characterization engineers.
• Incorporate feedback from metrology to continually improve film quality with respect to specific performance metrics.
• Work with thin film characterization engineers to continually update, improve and refine metrology protocols.
• Collaborate closely on materials modeling efforts to make data-driven decisions and predictions for process development and improvement.
• Work closely with all stakeholders to continually reduce learning cycle time.
• Work closely with equipment engineers to perform maintenance tasks during service events.
• Provide input to equipment engineers to refine maintenance schedules with the goal of reducing tool downtime.
• Collaborate with tool manufacturers to improve deposition hardware.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Experience/Qualifications:

• PhD degree in condensed matter physics, materials science, or related discipline.
• ≥ 5 years working on epitaxial oxide thin film deposition via MBE (including academic experience).
• Experience with a variety of thin film metrology and characterization techniques.
• Proven experience executing collaborative and complex projects.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Oxide MBE thin film growth and process development.
• Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) experience, including quantitative analysis and RHEED-driven growth processes.
• Thin film metrology, including familiarity with several of the following techniques: X-ray diffraction, X-ray reflectivity, atomic force microscopy, ellipsometry, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), etc.
• Thin film engineering and process development, including familiarity with several of the following techniques: annealing, wafer bonding, etching, strain engineering, etc.
• Familiarity with analytical programming and data analysis (Python, JMP, MATLAB, Mathematica, etc.)
• Proven expertise in experimental automation.
• Detail-oriented with excellent time management.
• Proven team player with an ability to work effectively across departments, sites, and time zones.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative, and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Proven track record of impactful results.
• Self-motivated and resourceful.
• Ability to plan projects and deliver on project goals and milestones in a timely fashion.
• Experience with 300 mm semiconductor processes, including process development techniques and methodologies is a plus.
• Experience with 300 mm semiconductor metrology, including SP2/SP3, defect-review SEM, VPD-ICPMS, wafer bow, etc.
• Experience with and strong knowledge of thin film ferroelectric materials.

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.
Note: PsiQuantum will only reach out to you using an official PsiQuantum email address and will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to [email protected].

We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.