Process Engineer - Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Process Engineer - Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). Location: Fremont, California, USA

Responsibilities:

• Own the health and performance of assigned PVD process modules through statistical process control (SPC), process monitoring, and data analysis.

• Develop, optimize, and qualify thin-film deposition processes for superconducting resonators, signal wiring, and interconnect structures.

• Qualify new equipment, materials, and process technologies for fabrication applications.

• Analyze process, metrology, and electrical characterization data to improve reproducibility and device performance;

• Lead root-cause investigations into process, equipment, and materials-related issues, implementing corrective and preventive actions.

• Coordinate with facilities and equipment engineering teams on preventive maintenance, equipment recovery, and process qualification following maintenance or repairs.

• Document process development activities and create and maintain standard operating procedures.

• Train process technicians on new processes and equipment operation.

• Contribute to the technical roadmap for the assigned process area, including equipment strategy, capability investments, and long-term scalability.

• Mentor process engineers and technicians and provide technical reviews as needed.

• Represent process engineering in cross-functional design and technical reviews.

• Support technical trade-off decisions involving materials, process integration, design, and quantum engineering.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree with 4–6 years of relevant industry or research experience, or a PhD with at least 2 years of relevant industry, postdoctoral, or research experience.

• Degree in Materials Science, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.

• Hands-on experience with PVD equipment, including sputtering, electron-beam evaporation, or thermal evaporation.

• Experience with semiconductor fabrication processes and sustained, direct experience processing 4-inch or 6-inch wafers.

• Strong understanding of vacuum systems and thin-film deposition processes, including diagnosing process or equipment drift.

• Knowledge of semiconductor fabrication and superconducting or semiconductor device physics;

• Experience with process development, design of experiments (DOE), and engineering data analysis.

• Ability to use experimental and analytical data to guide process decisions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across engineering disciplines.

• Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced R&D environment with changing technical priorities.

Preferred:

• Experience leading the end-to-end qualification of a new process, tool, or material for production or scaled R&D use.

• Experience mentoring engineers or technicians or setting technical direction within a process area.

• Experience managing a process module across multiple technology generations or major equipment transitions.

• Publications, patents, or documented improvements in internal process capabilities.

• Experience with superconducting thin films or superconducting device fabrication;

• Experience developing thin-film processes for semiconductor, superconducting, or quantum technologies.

• Hands-on experience with thin-film characterization techniques, including ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray reflectometry (XRR), or X-ray diffraction (XRD).

• Experience analyzing engineering data using statistical methods and tools such as JMP, Python, or MATLAB.

• Exposure to quantum computing, cryogenic measurements, or superconducting device technologies.

• Experience working in a startup or R&D-focused engineering environment.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Base salary: $170,000–$200,000 per year.

• Competitive compensation and equity opportunities.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• 401(k) retirement plan.

• Paid parental leave.

• Rejuvenation days.

• Vacation policy aligned with local regulations and industry standards.

Final compensation depends on relevant work experience, skills, and geographic location.

Other Information:

• Work arrangement: On-site in Fremont, California.

• Employment type: Full-time.

• The role involves collaboration across fabrication, equipment, materials, and quantum engineering teams.

• Rigetti Computing is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups are encouraged.

• The company may use AI tools to assist with application reviews and identify potential inconsistencies in application materials. Final hiring decisions are made by humans.