Semiconductor Research Engineer

growth in areas of fundamental economic importance to the State. The department is also home to the NC State Nanofabrication Facility (NNF), which is a 7400 ft. 2 Class 100 cleanroom that provides semiconductor-processing capabilities to a variety of science and engineering disciplines. The facility possesses a full range of micro- and nano-fabrication capabilities including photo and electron beam lithography, wet and dry etch, chemical vapor deposition (including atomic layer deposition), vacuum metallization, rapid thermal anneal, and various characterization tools.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits:

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties:

NC State's Nanofabrication Facility (NNF) is seeking a skilled and motivated Semiconductor Research Engineer to support the performance, reliability, and safe operation of its advanced fabrication equipment and processes. In this role, you will help maintain critical cleanroom infrastructure, troubleshoot complex equipment issues, optimize semiconductor fabrication processes, and support researchers in achieving their technical goals.

Working closely with facility staff, equipment vendors, and research users, you will play an essential role in maintaining reliable operations, advancing process capabilities, and providing a safe, efficient environment for semiconductor research.

Key Responsibilities:

Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair

• Perform preventive maintenance on semiconductor fabrication equipment to minimize downtime and maintain reliable cleanroom operations.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, mechanical, and process-related equipment issues to restore functionality and support consistent performance.
• Coordinate with hardware engineers, technicians, and external service vendors to complete equipment repairs and routine maintenance.
• Schedule and oversee vendor service visits, major equipment repairs, and maintenance agreements.

Process Development and Optimization

• Develop, test, characterize, and document standard fabrication processes for core semiconductor equipment, including photolithography, dry etching, and thin-film metal deposition.
• Evaluate process results against established quality standards and technical specifications to maintain consistent, repeatable outcomes.
• Partner with internal and remote research users to develop, refine, and implement custom fabrication processes that meet project requirements.

User Training and Technical Support

• Deliver hands-on training to internal and remote users on semiconductor fabrication tools, preparing them to operate equipment independently and safely.
• Instruct users on equipment operating procedures, cleanroom protocols, and applicable safety requirements.
• Provide ongoing technical guidance and operational support to help users troubleshoot challenges and complete fabrication activities successfully.

Cleanroom Operations and Administrative Support

• Work regularly in the cleanroom while following required gowning procedures, safety protocols, and facility operating standards.
• Maintain accurate process logs, baseline data, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and equipment performance records.
• Track inventory levels for cleanroom consumables, chemicals, and equipment spare parts to support uninterrupted facility operations.

This role offers the opportunity to apply your engineering expertise, solve technical challenges, and work directly with researchers to support innovative projects. If you enjoy hands-on problem-solving, equipment optimization, and helping others succeed in a highly technical environment, we encourage you to apply.

Other Responsibilities:

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there may be occasional opportunities to take on additional duties. This offers an opportunity to build on your skills, explore new areas, and gain a deeper understanding of the department's operations.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• B.S. or higher degree in a science or engineering discipline. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience in semiconductor processing and device fabrication in a university, industry, or government-owned clean-room. This experience may be an M.S. thesis project on a relevant topic in a semiconductor fab setting
• Must be able to operate tools in the facility and train users to use the equipment independently.
• Experience in clean-room safety operations
• Must be comfortable working with semiconductor fabrication equipment such as metrology equipment, and plasma etch tools
• Must be comfortable working with students
• Must be comfortable working safely with chemicals and toxic gases
• Must be able to work independently as well as make positive team contributions
• Must be able to operate tools in the facility and train users to use the equipment independently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in a science and engineering discipline
• Five or more years of experience working with semiconductor fabrication in a university, government, or industry cleanroom

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

• N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required: No

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Job Open Date: 10/14/2026

Anticipated Close Date: Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please include as attachments a resume/CV, cover letter, and contact information for at least 3 professional references.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Number: 00109885

Position Type: EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Mandatory - Fire/Explosions, Mandatory - Hazardous Material Incidents, Mandatory - Utilities/Infrastructure Failure

Department ID: 140401 - Electrical & Computer Engineering

EEO:

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Organization

NC State: Think and Do

NC State was founded with a purpose: to create economic, societal and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina and the country. We began as a land-grant institution teaching the agricultural and mechanical arts. Today, we're a pre-eminent research enterprise with 12 colleges excelling in all major academic fields.

Our 34,000 high-performing students take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in the real world by conducting research, working in internships and co-ops, and performing acts of world-changing service. That experiential education ensures that they leave here ready to lead the workforce. NC State's 13:1 student-faculty ratio is one of the reasons why we're the best college for your money in North Carolina (Money) and the No. 5 best value among public universities nationally (U.S. News & World Report).

Overcoming Challenges, Improving Lives

NC State is one of only two universities in the nation leading two National Science Foundation Engineering Research Centers — one developing wearable, self-powered health monitors, and the other researching smart-grid technology. We're also leading interdisciplinary efforts to curb nuclear proliferation, help farmers confront climate change and build a new American manufacturing sector.

Our research doesn't just get published in a journal or sit on a shelf; it makes an impact. NC State is No. 6 nationwide in commercialization agreements based on university research, and we're No. 2 among universities without a medical school. Our Cooperative Extension Service provides research-based information to citizens in all 100 North Carolina counties. In addition, our industrial extension unit — Industry Expansion Solutions — has created an economic benefit for the state's manufacturers averaging $149 million per year since 2005.

Bright Minds Creating a Bold Future

NC State's 9,000 faculty and staff are world leaders in their fields, bridging the divides between academic disciplines and training high-caliber students to meet tomorrow's challenges. NC State students won two Goldwater scholarships, five Fulbright scholarships, one Churchill scholarship and a record-breaking 25 National Science Foundation graduate research fellowships in the 2016-2017 academic year. In addition, 25 faculty are members of the National Academies.

Our Centennial Campus, an award-winning public-private research campus, is home to more than 70 partner organizations working alongside more than 70 NC State research and academic units. Centennial is also the location of the innovative Hunt Library, which Time magazine has dubbed "the library of the future."

In Raleigh and Around the World

It all happens in one of the best cities in America. A top spot for job-seekers and tech professionals, Raleigh is nationally recognized as a leading urban center:

• No. 2 hot spot for tech jobs (Forbes, 2016)
• No. 3 best city for young professionals (Forbes, 2016)
• No. 4 best city for jobs (Glassdoor.com, 2017)
• No. 4 best place to live (U.S. News & World Report, 2016)
• Best big city in the Southeast (Time, 2016)
• Selected as a Google Fiber expansion city

With Durham and Chapel Hill, Raleigh anchors the Research Triangle, a national hotspot for high-tech enterprise. The top companies in the region — including IBM, Cisco Systems, SAS Institute, Biogen Idec and GlaxoSmithKline — are among the country's best employers. They also lead the way in hiring new NC State graduates.

More than 130 years after its creation, NC State continues to make its founding purpose a reality. Every day, our career-ready graduates and world-leading faculty make the fruits of learning and discovery available to people across the state, throughout the nation and around the world.