Research Engineer II

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering? Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.

As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges. We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service.

About the role

The Research Engineer II, under the management of the AggieFab Laboratory Manager, will be responsible for nanofabrication tool management and process development tasks in support of AggieFab, the Core nanofabrication cleanroom facility at Texas A&M University used for research and development. This role will involve the operation, development, and optimization of processes for a broad suite of nanofabrication tools in AggieFab. The equipment includes and is not limited to electron beam lithography, photolithography, thin film deposition (PVD, CVD, and ALD), 3D printing, wafer bonding, reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE and DRIE), metrology, and advanced analysis (dual-beam FIB) tooling.

Responsibilities

• Develop suitable recipes to achieve optimum results from the process tools for various AggieFab customer research projects.
• Execute staff runs for academic and industrial customers and prepare detailed reports.
• Establish standard operating and training procedures.
• Maintain stable operation of tools under his/her purview by performing periodic control runs and obtaining inputs from the user base.
• Train users in the operation of tools.
• Work with tool vendors in developing tool operations and performance enhancements.
• Establish preventative maintenance programs and/or work with tool manufacturers to troubleshoot problems and achieve a high up-time for the user base.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 2 years of related experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or related science/engineering major.
• 2 years in an academic nanofabrication facility or in a leading semiconductor R&D or manufacturing facility.
• Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or related science/engineering major (preferred).
• At least 5 years in an academic nanofabrication facility or in a leading semiconductor R&D or manufacturing facility (preferred).

The ideal candidate will understand the principles behind a variety of nanofabrication processes and be able to clearly explain them to new AggieFab researchers. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with the operation and optimization of a variety of nanofabrication tools and processes, such as thin film deposition, electron beam lithography, photolithography, metrology, and reactive ion etching.

About Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University leads advanced research in several important national and global areas for the betterment of humanity. Areas of research include power and power electronics, information systems, computer architecture, analog and mixed signals circuits, biomedical imaging, and photonics and semiconductors, with ML/AI infused in several of these research areas. Situated conveniently in the hub of the Dallas–Austin–Houston technology triangle, the department collaborates closely with key players in healthcare, computing, telecommunications, energy, and semiconductor manufacturing sectors. It also benefits from its proximity to and engagement with the Army Futures Command and the facilities and test-beds available at the Texas A&M System’s RELLIS Campus.

With strong support from Texas' robust manufacturing sector and its economy, the department has numerous opportunities to engage in exciting interdisciplinary research partnerships that are shaping the future educational and research landscapes. These partnerships include collaborations and engagement with the Texas A&M Data Science Institute, the Global Cyber Research Institute, the Texas A&M Energy Institute, and the Smart Grid Center.

Benefits

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses.
• Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
• Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
• Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Work Location: Main Campus – College Station, TX.