Arizona State University

Solar Fab Senior Process Engineer

Arizona State University$85K — $120K *
Tempe, AZ 85281In-Person
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
  • Five years of relevant experience.
  • Master's degree in engineering preferred with ten years experience.
  • Hands-on experience in semiconductor and/or solar processing is essential.
  • Familiarity with thin film deposition, etch, and thermal processing required.
  • Proficiency in using analytical equipment like SEMs and profilometers.
  • Strong communication skills for interfacing with lab customers.

Responsibilities

  • Lead maintenance and operation of process tools.
  • Develop and characterize processes for solar applications.
  • Train cleanroom users on tool operations and safety protocols.
  • Create and maintain training materials for users.
  • Monitor tool and process performance and generate reports.
  • Write standard operating procedures (SOP) for equipment.
  • Serve as tool owner and define baseline processes for multiple tools.

Benefits

  • Full-time position with a Monday through Friday schedule.
  • Opportunity to work in a cutting-edge cleanroom facility.
  • Exposure to a diverse range of equipment and processes.
  • Engagement in significant solar technology projects.
  • Mentorship opportunities with faculty and industry professionals.
Full Job Description

Job Profile:

Engineer 3

Job Family:

Engineering

Time Type:

Full time

Max Pay – Depends on experience:

$125,000.00 USD Annual

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Profile Summary:
Leads intermediate to complex projects, and provides technical guidance, design, innovation, and expertise to enhance the institution's engineering solutions and infrastructure.

Job Description:

Salary Range: $85,000 - $120,000 per year; DOE

With over 24 MW of installed on-site solar generation capacity, which is more than that in place for many large cities, Arizona State University’s commitment to solar is compelling. The Solar Power Lab (SPL) was established in 2009, and, from the beginning, was designed with industrial compatibility in mind. Technology thrusts are selected to reinforce industrial relevance both now and in the future. Considering solely silicon technology (III-V solar cells are also studied), SPL has all the necessary processing equipment for raw silicon to serve as the input, and completed, characterized, and tested solar cells generated as the output. For reliability testing and educational purposes, SPL also fabricates modules, usually single-cell or 2x2 format. SPL is housed in the MacroTechnology Works building in the ASU Research Park and consists of 6,370 square feet of class 100/1000 cleanroom space along with 2,097 square feet of non-cleanroom H6 space and 606 square feet of dry lab. Incorporated in the lab are over 25 pieces of major equipment (e.g., wet processing, furnaces, RTA, PECVD, sputtering tools, evaporators, screen printing, ALD, and MOCVD) and the concomitant characterization tools (I-V testers, PL, EL, QE, lifetime testers, LIT, etc.).

With the culmination of the successful, ten-year NSF- and DOE-sponsored QESST (Quantum Energy and Sustainable Solar Technologies) Engineering Research Center (ERC), SPL transitioned to ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise as the Solar Fab (SF) Core. Accordingly, SF is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to join the team.

Essential Duties

  • This position will report to the Director of Operations in the Solar Fab facility located at Arizona State University’s MacroTechnology Works building.

  • The primary job responsibilities include process tool maintenance, process development and characterization, training cleanroom users on process tool operation, developing and maintaining training materials, performing tool and process monitoring and reporting the same, writing tool operation procedures, and performing chemical handling. Other duties as assigned.

  • The Process Engineer should be skilled in microelectronic device fabrication and equipment maintenance. He/she must be effective in working with Solar Fab team members, affiliated faculty members, and cleanroom users.

Desired Qualifications

  • A master’s degree in engineering or a related field and ten (10) years of engineering or related experience including responsibility for tool and process requirements OR any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.

  • At least five years of work experience in semiconductor and/or solar processing is required. This work experience must be in both R&D and production facilities.

  • Work experience must include direct responsibilities in processes that involve thin film deposition (sputtering, evaporation, PECVD), patterning (screen printing, photolithography), etch (wet and dry), and thermal processing (RTA, furnace). ALD and/or MOCVD exposure is a strong bonus.

  • A firm knowledge in the use of analytical equipment such as profilometers, ellipsometers, four-point-probes, and SEMs.

  • Familiarity with process development and characterization through the usage of Design of Experiments, SPC, and the associated data analysis tools is required.

  • Must have good working knowledge of vacuum systems, mechanical, and electro-mechanical systems.

  • Disposition to interface with lab customers (students, staff, faculty, and external entities) as appropriate to ensure project goals are realized.

  • Mentor and/or train customers on various facets related to solar -- technical nuances, tool operation, characterization, etc.

  • Serve as tool owner on multiple pieces of equipment -- responsible for: 1) learning and understanding all aspects of a tool; 2) defining a baseline process; 3) writing the tool SOP; 4) maintaining the tool, including SPC if applicable; and 5) training future tool users.

  • Inclination towards continuous learning and embracing associated responsibilities

  • Ability to work well in a team and to operate independently when needed

  • Detail oriented, flexible, self-motivated, excellent troubleshooting skills

  • Experience in writing scientific documents (e.g., patent applications and reports)

Working Environment

  • The position is first shift Monday through Friday. Occasional off shift work may be required to handle emergencies within the Solar Fab.

  • Activities will be performed in an environmentally controlled office setting, as well as the various spaces that constitute the Solar Fab.

  • There may be extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse; it will also be required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work functions.

  • For the class 100/1000 cleanroom space, it will be necessary to wear personal protective equipment including long pants, closed-toed shoes, shoe covers, a lab coat, gloves, and safety glasses.

  • Some activities will entail the need for frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds.

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location:

Off-Campus: Mesa/Tempe

Funding:

No Federal Funding

Instructions to Apply:

Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub.

Please use the link below to log in using single sign-on.

https://www.myworkday.com/asu/d/inst/1$9925/9925$24910.htmld

To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments:

  • Cover letter

  • Resume or CV

Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name.

Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered.

Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact The Office of Human Resources Talent Acquisition before the posting close date.

Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.

Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.

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About Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university with its main campus in Tempe, Arizona. It is one of the largest public universities in the United States by enrollment. ASU offers degree programs in more than 800 areas of study, including over 250 undergraduate majors and more than 120 graduate programs. ASU is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities ? Very high research activity". ASU's athletic teams are called the Sun Devils and compete in the Pac-12 Conference. ASU has multiple campuses throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, with four regional campuses and several extension centers.
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