Sr. TPV Process Development Engineer

Position Summary

Antora is seeking a Process Development Engineer to help drive continued improvements in thermophotovoltaic (TPV) performance. This engineer will own key optical thin-film processes and play a central role in the optical and device modeling that guides Antora's broader efficiency roadmap. The role combines hands-on cleanroom process development with optical design, device modeling, metrology, data analysis, and experimental design. You will use these tools to identify and prioritize the highest-impact opportunities for improving TPV performance, develop and validate solutions in the fab, and translate them into measurable gains in device performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own optical thin-film deposition processes and equipment. This includes coating design, process development, qualification, troubleshooting, process control, and user training.
• Own the process-side roadmap for improving TPV efficiency. This includes building and using optical and device-level models in Python, with AI-assisted coding and analysis used extensively to accelerate development.
• Characterize thin films and establish reliable metrology and process controls for properties such as thickness, refractive index, reflectance, uniformity, stress, and adhesion.
• Compare model predictions with measured device performance, then use the results to improve the models and guide further process development.
• Plan and run structured process experiments, using tools such as Python, JMP, and AI to analyze results and accelerate process development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of experience, Master's degree with 3+ years of experience, or PhD in physics, optics, electrical engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related technical field.
• Hands-on experience with physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques such as electron-beam evaporation, thermal evaporation, or sputtering.
• Demonstrated success developing and qualifying optical thin-film deposition processes.
• Optical and device-modeling expertise, including designing and optimizing multilayer thin-film stacks and validating model predictions against measured film or device data.
• Practical knowledge of thin-film characterization and metrology techniques such as reflectometry, FTIR, spectrophotometry, ellipsometry, or related methods.
• Strong knowledge of semiconductor device physics, particularly photovoltaics, III-V semiconductors, or other optoelectronic devices.
• Proficiency in Python or similar computational tools for data processing, visualization, modeling, and automation.
• Effective use of AI-assisted tools for coding, modeling, analysis, and documentation, supported by sound technical judgment and critical validation of generated outputs.
• Rigorous technical documentation and knowledge transfer, including clear SOPs, experiment records, and process specifications.
• Clear technical communication and effective cross-functional collaboration, combined with intellectual honesty and a continuous-improvement mindset.

Additional Qualifications Desired

• Familiarity with photomask and device-layout tools such as KLayout or L-Edit and with photolithography processes.
• Experimental and analytical skills, including design of experiments, statistical process analysis, structured root-cause investigation, and process optimization.
• Knowledge of statistical process control, process scaling, and other methods used to transition R&D processes toward production.

Pay

$129,000 - $210,000 annually

Benefits

• Equity compensation in the form of stock options
• Premium health benefits package with life and disability insurance
• 401K plan with employer contributions
• Flexible spending accounts
• Industry leading paid-time-off policy that features flexible and inclusive holiday observance
• Paid volunteer time off

Work Location

Onsite - San Jose, CA