Photonics Fabrication Process Engineer- SNSPD Nanofabrication - Santa Clara, CA

About Xanadu: Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems, and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities: As part of the Hardware Team, you will work with our established team of physicists and engineers to support existing efforts to improve the performance of photon number resolving (PNR) cryogenic detectors. With your deep technical expertise and strong experience in photonics fabrication process development and process integration, you will be responsible for fabricating and delivering state-of-the-art Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPDs). You will join the Fabrication Process Engineering Team dedicated to the development and optimization of fabrication processes required to build Xanadu’s photonic quantum computing hardware.

You will:

Expand Xanadu’s cleanroom capabilities by establishing SNSPD process development efforts at Bay Area Facilities

Work with Xanadu’s foundry partners to continuously improve integration schemes and balance competing fabrication requirements

Define and execute metrology and failure analysis plans to identify and mitigate failure modes and assess results of process integration experiments

Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure all critical detector performance metrics are met in delivered chips

Stay abreast of new developments in the fields of photonics fabrication process development and integration

Deliver state-of-the-art SNSPD chips

These positions are based in Santa Clara, CA and we are looking to hire two people. One role will focus primarily on hands-on cleanroom work and process development, while the second role will split time between interfacing with external foundry partners and hands-on cleanroom work. While we are primarily seeking Photonics Fabrication Process Engineers, we are open to considering candidates for a Senior role should their experience and technical leadership significantly exceed the core requirements.

Basic qualifications and experience:

Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering, Experimental Sciences, or related relevant discipline

Proven track record of 5+ years of cleanroom process development experience with a focus on device fabrication

Experienced in the operation of clean room tools including photolithography, electron beam lithography, deposition (PVD, CVD), wet & plasma etching (ICP RIE), and CMP

Experience with standard semiconductor and photonics metrology and failure analysis techniques, including some subset of: SEM, TEM, AFM, defect inspection, ellipsometry, XRR/XRD, SIMS, Raman spectroscopy

Knowledge of optical thin film stack metrology, characterization and optimization

Experience developing cleanroom recipes and maintaining detailed process documentation

Experience with statistical process control (SPC)

Excellent communication skills

Experience working in a collaborative team-based development environment

Ability to operate autonomously in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple competing priorities

Ability to travel as needed

Preferred qualifications and experience:

2+ years of postdoctoral or industry experience in Physics, Engineering, Experimental Sciences, or related relevant discipline

Hands-on experience with CMP for the planarization of thin films and multi-layer device stacks

Experience working in a foundry environment for semiconductor and/or integrated photonics products, including experience owning lots, working with an MES, etc.

Experience with full product development cycle, from R&D through volume ramping

Understanding the physics of optical detector technologies, including superconducting devices

Experience fabricating and working with cryogenic detectors or their applications, for example in TES, MKID or SNSPDs

Experience coordinating with and managing external partners, including major semiconductor and photonics foundries

Experience coordinating with external photomask suppliers and producing photomasks from gds

Experience in photonic quantum computing hardware development

Experience with large data set analysis and statistical reporting

This is for a new position. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and internal benchmarks. The base salary range is 130,000 - 180,000 USD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive, safe, and equitable culture and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals and support a barrier-free workplace. Should you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process please contact Recruiting at recruiting@xanadu.ai.

Please be advised that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the screening and assessment of applicants for this position. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.