MTS Epitaxy Development Engineer

KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc. (KSLD) is a global leader in the commercialization of gallium nitride (GaN) based laser light sources. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KYOCERA Corporation, KSLD combines advanced laser innovation with the strength, scale, and manufacturing excellence of a global technology leader.

KSLD develops and manufactures high performance LaserLight™ solutions engineered to deliver exceptional brightness, efficiency, and reliability. Our GaN laser technologies enable a wide range of applications, including automotive and mobility, specialty and portable lighting, projection and AR/VR displays, biomedical instrumentation, industrial imaging, and emerging communication technologies such as LiFi. With vertically integrated capabilities and deep technical expertise, KSLD collaborates closely with customers to deliver application specific laser solutions, accelerating development timelines from concept through production. The company operates advanced R&D and manufacturing facilities in Santa Barbara, CA and Fremont, CA, supporting both innovation and high volume manufacturing needs.

KSLD is ISO 9001 certified and IATF 16949 compliant for automotive applications, and its products meet rigorous UL and IEC safety standards, reflecting a strong commitment to quality, safety, and reliability.

Recognized by Fortune magazine’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production™, KSLD fosters an employee centric culture built on collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous innovation. Guided by a mission to engineer the future of light, KSLD develops laser based solutions that power next generation mobility, consumer, specialty lighting, and industrial technologies.

KSLD will continue to pioneer the future of light by developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative laser based products with high efficiency and luminance for mobility, specialty lighting, consumer, and industrial applications.

To learn more about KSLD, visit www.kyocerasldlaser.com or contact the company at [email protected] or 18667535273.

Job Description

As an MTS Epitaxy Development Engineer, you will be responsible for product-driven development of gallium nitride based epitaxial deposition processes using Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD).  This position will be responsible for planning and execution of MOCVD experiments, analysis and review of metrology data, and working closely with process engineering to ensure necessary process controls for uniform and high yielding MOCVD processes. This position is additionally responsible for close cross-functional work with chip fabrication teams to identify and contribute to co-optimization of epitaxy and chip designs toward product requirements.

Job Responsibilities

• Development and execution of product-driven epitaxial processes via MOCVD
• Analyze and review metrology data associated with epitaxial processes and equipment.
• Contribute to development and optimization of yield and process control metrics for epi
• Coordinate with chip fabrication team to plan and execute necessary epi experiments for co-optimization of epi and chip; may serve as member on cross-functional project team(s)
• Support quality systems requirements and new product introduction (NPI) requirements
• Additional duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in engineering (materials, electrical engineering, physics or related discipline)
• 1-5 years of industry experience in compound semiconductor epitaxial process development, semiconductor or manufacturing process engineering for product
• Experience with a variety of thin film metrology and characterization techniques
• Fabrication and/or test experience with LED, laser diode or similar optoelectronic devices

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of epitaxial growth experience in gallium nitride MOCVD, preferably in an R&D or process development environment supporting high-volume manufacturing.
• Laser device design and chip fabrication knowledge; technical background to effectively support epi/chip design co-optimization for various applications
• Strong analytical programming and/or data analysis skills (JMP, Python, MATLAB, Mathematica, etc)
• Strong critical thinking, creative, innovative and analytical problem-solving skills
• Self-motivated and resourceful
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Flexible, collaborative, and team-oriented.

The full time base salary range for the position of MTS Epitaxy Development Engineer is $157,000 to $212,000 per annum. The range reflects the minimum and maximum possible base salary for new hires for the role, based on the advertised location. Individual pay is determined by several factors including work location, job related skills, experience, and relevant education and training. For more information about the base salary range applicable to the work location, talk to the recruiter.

Kyocera SLD Laser, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not 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, legally protected medical condition, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws.

 The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and requirements of personnel as classified.