RIE Engineer

Job Summary

Independently provide professional engineering expertise in a core facility in process design, training, quality assurance, and developmental activities.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

The CNS-nanofabrication facility (cleanroom) is the busiest lab in the field, and is supporting more than 1000 users (in FY2025) from > 300 internal and external research and industry groups. The dry etching (RIE) and film depositions (CVD and PVD) are the most critical processes in the nanofabrication and include more than 40 complex equipment, plus ancillary facilities and support more that 70-80% of users. The RIE Equipment Engineer is responsible for the equipment from RIE to other CVD areas and is the primary owner of more than 20 complex and heavily used tools, covering ICP-RIEs, PECVDs, sputtering deposition systems, and scrubbers.

This position assists with the evaluation and installation of new and advanced nanofabrication tools and related processes. Investigate and innovate new hardware configurations and functions of tools to meet the new process requirements for advanced research. Assist researchers, faculty, and students regarding experimental design and use of equipment, instruments, systems, and facilities.

Manages all cleanroom gases (more than 15 toxic and non-toxic gases) activities and related facilities/tools for nanofabrication, including gas inventory of ordering and maintaining, daily gas supply and safety monitoring, gas cylinders and cabinets maintenance, toxic and nontoxic gas cylinder replacement, and new process gas investigation for new research applications.

Manages and maintains spare parts inventory and critical components for more than 50 nanofabrication process tools (dry etching, CVDs, PVDs), including pumps, chambers, RF generators, controllers, chillers, scrubbers, compressors, and other hardware.

Collaborates with staff and assists with the development of processes.

Trains users on best safety practices and assists in monitoring laboratory safety compliance. ERT team member, especially the key responder for toxic gas-related safety monitoring and handling.

Working Conditions

• May be required to work in a cleanroom, chemical, or measurement laboratory environment
• May be exposed to toxic, radioactive, or carcinogenic materials, including compressed gases, acids, solvents, vacuum pump oils, and other chemicals
• May be required to work nights and weekends
• Mostly in the cleanroom, outside labs, and facility rooms. Office for interfacing users and vendor meetings, as well as paperwork.

Physical Requirements

• Lifting (up to approximately 50 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion
• Standing and/or sitting for extended periods
• Pushing, pulling, lifting, repetitive motion

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or related field and a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience; or
• A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, intermediate Excel skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required.
• Must possess excellent problem-solving skills.
• Cleanroom experience and user-facility experience are highly desirable.
• Cleanroom fabrication experience, especially in plasma etching (ICP, ECR, DRIE), film deposition, and high vacuum system highly desirable.
• The candidate should be self-motivated with a strong desire to acquire on-the-job training, to succeed, and to develop intellectual and practical professional skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in teams is essential.
• This position will require manual dexterity with small and large parts and must be skilled to maintain and repair various vacuum, electronic, electrical, and mechanical systems.
• Basic machining and mechanical design experience and working knowledge of electrical/electronic systems are also required.

Certificates and Licenses

An active Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician license is desired. This will allow one to work on high voltage equipment.