Mechanical Engineer, Vacuum Systems

Job Title

Mechanical Engineer, Vacuum Systems

Role Summary

Design, prototype, validate, and scale vacuum and fluid-handling systems for semiconductor fabrication tools (deposition, etch, anneal, plasma, and supporting infrastructure). The role is hands-on and end-to-end: concept, mechanical design, prototyping, testing, vendor sourcing, and productionization.

Work closely with process, electrical, software, and production teams to deliver manufacturable equipment that meets production requirements. A portfolio showing physical builds and projects is required.

Experience Level

Mid-level — 2–7 years of professional experience in mechanical and electromechanical system design with hands-on prototyping and assembly.

Responsibilities

The role owns systems from concept to production and focuses on rapid iteration and practical solutions.

• Own semiconductor fabrication systems and subsystems end-to-end, including deposition, etch, annealing, plasma tools, and related subsystems (mass flow controllers, pressure sensors, valves, pumps).
• Design, iterate on, and build machines, frames, components, and assemblies for vacuum and fluid-handling hardware.
• Prototype, assemble, troubleshoot, and validate mechanical systems and subsystems in lab settings.
• Integrate mechanical, optical, and electronic components; collaborate with electrical, software, process, and production teams.
• Source components and materials; work with vendors to meet specifications and manufacturing scale-up requirements.
• Develop test plans, diagnostics, and documentation required for manufacturing readiness and scale-up.

Requirements

Must-have qualifications and skills.

• 2–7 years of professional experience in mechanical and electromechanical system design.
• 2–7 years of hands-on experience building, prototyping, and assembling complex systems.
• Experience designing vacuum systems or fluid-handling hardware.
• Strong fundamentals in fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.
• Proven ability to design and ship machined and fabricated metal parts into working systems.
• Comfortable working with pumps, valves, fittings, tubing, chambers, and thermal systems.
• Portfolio of physical projects or products demonstrating hands-on work is generally required.
• Employment may be contingent on the ability to comply with U.S. export control requirements for controlled technologies.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with plasma systems, CVD, or ALD.
• Familiarity with leak detection techniques and vacuum diagnostics.
• Experience with productionization, testing, and manufacturing scale-up.

Education Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, or Physics.

About the Company

Company: fab2

Headquarters: Austin, TX, United States

Early-stage hardware startup that designs and builds semiconductor fabrication equipment, tools, and the hardware/software needed to make fabs. Works on lithography, metrology, motion systems and related components; founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller with offices in Austin and San Francisco.