Manager of Cleanroom, Facility, and Equipment, Photonic Integrated Circuits Foundry – Arvada, C

QPICs Inc. is advancing the frontier of photonic devices and systems — smaller, lighter, and more power‑efficient. As opto‑electronics transforms, photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are being adopted across quantum computing and sensing, communications, LIDAR, and AR/VR. QPICs is a fast‑turn PIC foundry built to meet this moment: we deliver devices in weeks rather than months; we work across a wide and growing range of photonics materials beyond CMOS‑compatible limits;

and we scale with our customers, from rapid prototyping to volume production.

QPICs is a startup building its facility from the ground up, and we are seeking a hands‑on Manager to build and run the physical backbone of our PIC foundry. This role initially spans three key areas: cleanroom, facility, and equipment. You will own all three through buildout and early operation, then help hire specialists as we grow. It is a role for someone who thrives on turning a bare site into a working foundry.

• Layout:
  Value‑engineer cleanroom and facility design to meet budget and schedule targets while preserving process capability. Maximize space utilization based on tool requirements and compatibilities (specialty gas, vibration isolation, EMI, etc.).
• Contamination Control:
  Define industrial hygiene procedures; monitor particle counts, enforce gowning and cleanroom protocols, and perform routine upkeep such as changing filters for fan filter units (FFUs).
• Chemical Handling:
  Manage safe handling and storage of process chemicals at point of use.

• Design:
  Partner with the general contractor (GC), architects, and specialists to design the fab and its core utilities — HVAC, process cooling water (PCW), ultrapure water (UPW), compressed dry air (CDA), process gas, exhaust scrubbers, waste abatement and disposal systems — to specifications and within budget.
• Construction:
  Negotiate contract terms and scope and supervise construction through commissioning for on‑time handover.
• Steady State:
  Once online, operate and maintain these utilities to hold stable conditions and maximize uptime.

• Lifecycle:
  Manage nanofabrication equipment from acquisition and factory qualification, through storage, installation and acceptance, modification, relocation, and eventual decommissioning.
• Maintenance and Repairs:
  Perform preventive maintenance (e.g. vacuum pump oil changes) and calibration, troubleshoot malfunctions (e.g. vacuum leaks), maintain a critical spares inventory, and manage vendor service to minimize downtime.
• Laser Safety:
  Serve as, or work closely with, the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) to manage Class 3B/4 laser setups — interlocks, signage, eye‑safety protocols, and training records.

• Team Building:
  Hire, lead, and develop specialists in cleanroom, facility, and equipment as the foundry scales.
• Safety and Training:
  Maintain compliance with applicable environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations, including hazardous chemical and waste programs. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs). Train and support everyone who works in the cleanroom and facility on safety, protocols, and equipment.
• Resource Management:
  Optimize workflow scheduling and equipment utilization. Plan and manage capital and operating budgets and total cost of ownership.

• IT:
  Set up and maintain IT hardware and software infrastructure, including fab/process databases and data systems, connectivity with tools, and the support network.
• Procurement and Inventory:
  Monitor and manage stock of specialized consumables, wafers, gases, and process chemicals.
• Quality and Continuous Improvement:
  Establish quality management and process‑control practices. Apply Lean Manufacturing practices for continuous improvement.

• Education:
  
  B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience:
  
  More than 5 years in high‑tech laboratory or facility management, preferably in a semiconductor nanofabrication environment.
• Technical Knowledge:
  Deep hands‑on expertise in working with cleanroom utilities, contamination‑control practices, and…