Senior Process Engineer - Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)

As a Senior Process Engineer - Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), you will own the process health and performance of one or more production deposition modules used to fabricate superconducting quantum processors - developing, optimizing, and qualifying thin-film deposition processes, and using data to drive continuous improvement. As you grow in the role, you will take on increasing scope in setting technical direction for your process area, mentoring other engineers, and representing process engineering in cross-functional decisions.

You will work closely with equipment, facilities, process integration, materials, design, and quantum engineering teams to solve complex technical problems and support the continued scaling of Rigetti's quantum hardware platform. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to both day-to-day manufacturing and, with growing scope, the technical direction of next-generation superconducting fabrication processes.

The ideal candidate has significant hands-on experience owning PVD processes in a production or scaled R&D fab. Experience leading a process or equipment qualification end-to-end, or mentoring other engineers, is a strong plus but not required - candidates who are ready to grow into that scope are encouraged to apply. They are technically curious, comfortable operating with real autonomy, and excited to shape both day-to-day manufacturing and the development of next-generation superconducting technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities:

• Own the process health and performance of assigned PVD modules through SPC, process monitoring, and data analysis.
• Develop, optimize, and qualify thin-film deposition processes for superconducting resonators, signal wiring, and interconnect structures - including qualification of new equipment, materials, and process technologies.
• Analyze process, metrology, and electrical characterization data to improve reproducibility and device performance.
• Lead root-cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions for process, equipment, and materials-related issues, including those requiring cross-functional coordination.
• Partner with facilities and equipment engineering to coordinate preventive maintenance, support equipment recovery, and lead process qualification following maintenance or repairs.
• Document process development activities, author and maintain standard operating procedures, and train process technicians on new processes and equipment operation.

Growth/Stretch Responsibilities:

• Contribute to and, with increasing scope, help set the technical roadmap for your process area - equipment strategy, capability investments, and long-term scalability.
• Mentor and technically review the work of process engineers or technicians as opportunities arise.
• Represent process engineering in cross-functional design and technical reviews, helping drive trade-off decisions across 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 2+ years of relevant industry, postdoctoral, or research experience, in Materials Science, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with PVD equipment (sputtering, e-beam, or thermal evaporation) and semiconductor fabrication processes; direct, sustained experience with 4-inch or 6-inch wafer processing required.
• Strong working knowledge of vacuum systems and thin-film deposition processes, including diagnosing process or tool drift.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor fabrication processes and superconducting or semiconductor device physics.
• Experience with process development, experimental design (DOE), and engineering data analysis, with examples of using data to drive process decisions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional engineering environment.
• Comfortable operating with real autonomy in a fast-paced R&D environment with evolving technical priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading the end-to-end qualification of a new process, tool, or material into production or scaled R&D use.
• Experience mentoring other engineers or technicians, or setting technical direction within a process area.
• Experience owning a process module through multiple technology generations or major equipment transitions.
• Track record of publications, patents, or documented internal process-capability improvements.
• Experience with superconducting thin films or device fabrication.
• Experience developing thin-film processes for semiconductor, superconducting, or quantum technologies.
• Hands-on experience with thin-film characterization techniques such as ellipsometry, AFM, SEM, XRR, XRD, or related methods.
• Experience analyzing engineering data using statistical methods and tools such as JMP, Python, MATLAB, or similar software.
• Exposure to quantum computing, cryogenic measurements, or superconducting device technologies.
• Experience working in a startup or R&D-focused engineering environment.

$170,000 - $200,000 a year

Base Salary

Rigetti complies with all local and state regulations in regards to displaying salary ranges. Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as a candidate's relevant work experience, skills, and geographic location. Rigetti offers a full slate of benefits from competitive salaries, equity, medical, dental and vision for employees as well as a 401(k) plan, a paid parental leave program, rejuvenation days, and a vacation policy that aligns with local regulations and industry standards.