Senior Lithography Research Engineer
fab2Job Title
Senior Lithography Research Engineer
Role Summary
Lead R&D to develop novel lithography and patterning hardware that achieves precise geometry at smaller process nodes. The role sits on the Positioning Team, which builds lithography, metrology, and motion systems for patterning and inspecting chips.
This is a hands-on, exploratory research position combining simulation, optical design, and nanofabrication to produce working prototypes.
Experience Level
Senior-level. Specific years of experience are not stated; the role requires demonstrated independent leadership of complex R&D and prototype delivery.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include driving end-to-end research, design, and integration of patterning hardware.
- Own end-to-end development: simulation, design, and fabrication of novel patterning hardware.
- Drive autonomous exploratory R&D across optical design and nanofabrication.
- Simulate optical and nanophotonic behavior to guide physical experiments.
- Design and develop hardware that integrates with deposition, development, and etch process steps.
- Collaborate closely with process engineers to ensure seamless integration of patterning hardware.
Requirements
Must-have technical skills and demonstrated hands-on experience. Degree information is summarized separately under Education Requirements.
- Demonstrated command of applied optics, including sub-wavelength and nanophotonic regimes, and experimental optics/metrology.
- Deep, hands-on expertise in nanofabrication and sub-micron patterning techniques.
- Strong background in lithography and patterning hardware design, including advanced resolution-enhancement techniques.
- Proven ability to plan and execute complex R&D independently and deliver working physical prototypes.
- Experience using simulation to inform experiments and design iterations.
- Ability to integrate hardware with adjacent process steps and coordinate cross-functional implementation.
- Must be able to comply with U.S. export control requirements for controlled technologies.
Nice-to-haves:
- End-to-end fabrication experience with nanophotonic or sub-wavelength optical devices.
- Design experience with metasurfaces or metalenses.
Education Requirements
PhD, or equivalent, in Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
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.
