About fab2
The fab2 team can build anything. We design all the hardware and software needed to make chips and we make the fabs, tools, and components ourselves.
We're looking for exceptional, hands-on people who can iterate to the limits of what's possible.
fab2 was founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. Sam is best known for making chips in his garage, and Jim has been a leader in the semiconductor industry for the past 40 years.
About the team
The Electrical Engineering team experiences all stages of the hardware engineering process, from defining requirements all the way through designing PCBAs and productionization. We design, prototype, and build the custom electrical systems that power our lithography tools, deposition tools, vacuum chambers, and nanometer precision motion control systems.
About the role
As an Electrical Design Engineer, you will own the electrical hardware for our chip fabrication machines end-to-end. You will identify problems, prototype solutions, productionize your prototypes, and deliver finished solutions that revolutionize IC manufacturing. You might work on high-voltage low-noise boost converters, motor drivers, attofarad sensors, and millikelvin temperature controllers all on a single project. You will know you are successful when you have autonomously taken clean-sheet designs through to production, delivering reliable, tested electrical systems that our in-house production team can seamlessly assemble into our fab tools.
Responsibilities
Own the clean-sheet design of PCBAs and electrical systems for our machines, driving the end-to-end process including schematic capture, layout, bringup, testing, integration, and documentation.
Collaborate cross-functionally with software, mechanical, and process teams to gather system requirements, performing independent investigations to define targets where requirements are ambiguous or missing.
Investigate optimal design approaches and perform detailed analysis and simulations to evaluate electrical designs, strategically weighing off-the-shelf components against custom solutions.
Break down complex hardware challenges into actionable execution plans, earning trust through consistent follow-through from prototype to small-scale production.
Required Experience
Demonstrated experience owning electrical hardware design end-to-end, successfully taking systems from initial concept through to production.
Demonstrated proficiency in analog and digital circuit design, mixed-signal design, and hands-on testing (e.g., using multimeters and oscilloscopes).
Experience with PCB design and simulation tools (Altium, KiCad, LTSpice).
A track record of taking broad ownership of electrical systems, with the ability to execute work autonomously and adapt quickly in a hands-on, fast-paced maker environment.
Nice-to-have
High-speed digital design or low-noise analog frontend design experience.
Experience working with RF plasmas, pulsed lasers, or semiconductor processing equipment.
Digitally controlled switching power supply or novel power supply architecture implementation.
Knowledge of control theory (control loop design, stability analysis) or low-voltage DC inverter design.
FPGA or firmware development experience.
Advanced SMT precision rework abilities.
Working at fab2
We’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and a lab/office in Austin, TX, Lockhart, TX, and San Francisco, CA.
Benefits: fab2 offers the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Generous Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time
Visa Sponsorship
Life and Disability Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
401(k) retirement plan
Weekly Learning & Development opportunities
Commuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office
Lunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts
We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.
Export Control Analysis: This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.
Skills Required
- Experience owning electrical hardware design end-to-end from initial concept through production
- Proficiency in analog and digital circuit design
- Experience with mixed-signal design
- Hands-on electrical testing experience using tools such as multimeters and oscilloscopes
- Experience with PCB design and simulation tools including Altium, KiCad, and LTSpice
- Ability to take broad ownership of electrical systems and execute autonomously in a hands-on, fast-paced environment
- High-speed digital design or low-noise analog frontend design experience
- Experience with RF plasmas, pulsed lasers, or semiconductor processing equipment
- Experience implementing digitally controlled switching power supplies or novel power supply architectures
- Knowledge of control theory, control loop design, stability analysis, or low-voltage DC inverter design
- FPGA or firmware development experience
- Advanced SMT precision rework abilities
What We Do
fab2 is an early-stage semiconductor hardware startup that designs and builds the hardware and software required to make chips. It develops complete fabrication facilities, semiconductor tools, components, automation, and chip-design software, while pursuing novel process engineering. Founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller, fab2 operates sites in Austin, San Francisco, and Lockhart and focuses on hands-on, interdisciplinary innovation for semiconductor manufacturing.
