Senior MBE Engineer

This job will consider folks coming out of academia.  If they have the PhD AND industry experience we could go a little higher. 

SUMMARY JOB OBJECTIVE, The Senior MBE Engineer is responsible for cost-effective process implementation and day-to-day engineering supervision of all assigned MBE reactors.  They will provide engineering support for the MBE process and are responsible for material quality in order to minimize wafer loss and ensure all delivered material meets or exceeds customer expectations.  This is accomplished through detailed analysis of internal metrology and customer test data.  The Senior MBE engineer is responsible for planning, directing and implementing the technical aspects of process improvement, research and development programs.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Program

-Work independently and perform necessary technical tasks to accomplish process improvement and R&D development programs

-Design experiments, provide technical input and interpret the results

-Perform technical analysis of internal and customer process data

-Interact on a technical level with customers or research institutions

-Assist Engineering Management in setting up specifications for new products or equipment, and work with vendors to install and qualify new equipment

-Write proposals and progress reports with proficient skill so it can be directly submitted to external collaborators and customers

Operations

-Works independently and requires minimal guidance on routine work

-Knowledge of computers and software programs necessary to generate reports and run the assigned reactors

-Ensure that all assigned reactors are operated in a cost-efficient manner consistent with the overall business plan

-Ensure that the epi process is fully documented, and update documents to eliminate gaps

-Operate reactors as required

-Ensure calibration and integrity of assigned reactors

-Set growth parameters, write growth recipes, review and interpret growth and characterization data, and direct all process adjustments in accordance with standard operating procedures, as well as internal and external specifications.

-Maintain relevant reactor documentation and process control charts

-Ensure the product grown on assigned reactors is high quality, meeting or exceeding customer specifications and expectations

-Ensure accurate disposition of all wafers grown on assigned reactors

-Ensure accurate assignment of appropriate reactor status codes

-Troubleshoot material problems and assist maintenance personnel to diagnose equipment issues to facilitate efficient repair

Administrative

-Monitor standard operational metrics (yield, throughput, etc.) and take actions and make recommendations (within the scope of their responsibility) to continuously improve reactor performance in such areas

-Knowledge of JMP to analyze data

-Assist Sales and Operations in pre-quote engineering review of customer structures, providing input on growth feasibility

-Maintain adherence to and accuracy of standard operating procedures, modifying existing ones and creating new ones as assigned

-Proactively make recommendations to Engineering Management for modifying and/or improving standard operating procedures or general process activities

-Participate in process improvement activities as assigned

-Assist Engineering Management in maintaining accurate manufacturing specifications

-Periodically gather and compile data as assigned and write reports for reactor activities as requested

-Participate in engineering staff meetings and company meetings

-Participate in technical interaction with customers as assigned

-Perform technical analysis of assigned internal and customer process data as directed

-Maintain continuous self-improvement in epi growth, semiconductor materials science, SPC, and device physics

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education Required: M.S. or Ph.D. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Material Science or other relative science-based discipline.  Equivalent epitaxial growth experience will be considered (minimum 5 years)

-Preferred Experience:

-Required: Min 3 yrs experience with MBE growth of group III/V semiconductor

-Preferred:3-5 yrs experience with production MBE growth of group III/V semiconductors

Other Skills and Abilities:

-Required:         

-Excellent understanding of semiconductor growth

-Firm knowledge of vacuum science, high vacuum equipment, and electronics; including temperature controllers, ion gauge controllers, ion pump power supplies, etc.

-Firm understanding of semiconductor physics including band structure, crystal structure, impurity effects, depletion effects, etc.

-Firm knowledge of semiconductor characterization equipment, including the ability to interpret the data from standard equipment (e.g. PL, Hall, Surfscan, Lehighton Rsh, and X-Ray)

-Good understanding of the theory of semiconductor device operation (e.g., FET, diodes, HBT, lasers, etc)

-Good understanding of the processing of the above-mentioned devices

-Basic understanding of quantum mechanics and electromagnetic fields

-Communication skills necessary for effective interaction with other personnel within the company

-Demonstrated ability to write technical papers and proposals

-Effective communication and organization skills necessary for proper interaction with customers, vendors and co-workers

-Computer skills to run epi -reactors, analyze data, and generate technical reports

Confidentiality -Direct knowledge of our proprietary MBE processes. Works with confidential and sensitive information associated with controlled documents (Work Instructions).

-Works directly with sensitive customer intellectual property.

Mental Application

-Requires a high degree of analytical ability and judgement to translate data into appropriate feedback process control.

-Requires a high degree of attentiveness to design, execute and interpret experiments

Responsibilities

-Errors in judgement could significantly compromise short-term revenues.

Contacts -Constantly required to communicate process changes to MBE technicians who are required to implement these changes.  Frequent communication with other members of MBE Engineering and MBE Equipment groups and occasional contact with Fab Engineering.

Magnitude and Scope of Financial Responsibilities

-Not authorized to approve any expenditures

EQUIPMENT OPERATION

-Direct use of MBE production systems and characterization equipment in the cleanroom.

-Frequent use of wafer control software, statistical software (JMP), and Microsoft products (Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Outlook)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job

-The employee is regularly required to stand and sit for long periods. 

-The employee occasionally is required to use hand to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls with gloved hands and climb or balance. 

-The employee is regularly required to write, type and use a computer terminal. 

-The employee is occasionally required to walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, twist, bend, kneel, lie on stomach, lie on back, or crawl. 

-The employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

-The employee must occasionally lift/carry/push/pull/move up to 15 pounds and up to 100 pounds. 

-Specific vision abilities regularly required by this job include near and far vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, sometimes with limited light available. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

-An employee in this position works in a clean room environment in which safety, environmental and health concerns may demand constant attention.  Strict adherence to corporate policies, rules, and regulations in these areas is required.

-While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to handle hazardous chemicals in the lab area.  During these activities the employee will be required to wear all appropriate safety equipment. 

-The employee occasionally will work near moving mechanical parts and around high voltage. 

-The noise level in the work environment is minor.

-The employee may be required to occasionally travel by auto/air.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION, Mobility required for working in MBE Fab. Some reasonable accommodation could be made for most functions to assist an individual with disabilities.  However, these accommodations may not be sufficient to overcome all disabilities.