Cleanroom Mechanical Systems Engineer - Senior Technician

Overview

The successful candidate will join a dynamic team to maintain and enhance a state-of-the-art cleanroom facility, directly supporting leading-edge research in micro- and nanofabrication. This role provides advanced, hands-on technical expertise in servicing, repairing, and maintaining the complex mechanical, vacuum, and gas delivery systems used within the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). This position requires independent diagnosis and troubleshooting to resolve complex equipment issues, including adapting tools and techniques to meet specialized research needs.

In addition to repair and preventive maintenance, key responsibilities include maintaining detailed service records, ensuring strict compliance with safety protocols, and serving as a key technical resource for faculty, staff, and students by providing expert guidance and training on equipment. The role may also involve providing oversight for junior technicians or student workers to ensure the safe and effective operation of laboratory equipment.

• Provide advanced technical expertise in servicing, repairing, and maintaining mechanical, vacuum, and gas delivery systems used in semiconductor research.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot complex equipment issues with independent judgment and adaptable methods.
• Maintain detailed service records and ensure compliance with all safety protocols.
• Serve as a technical resource for faculty, staff, and students; offer guidance and training on equipment operation.
• Provide oversight for junior technicians or student workers as needed to ensure safe operation of laboratory equipment.

• Location:
  
  Blacksburg, Virginia
• Department:
  Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
• Division:
  College of Engineering
• Role Type:
  Staff

• Associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a closely related field is required.
• Significant hands-on experience in a cleanroom environment with maintenance and repair of semiconductor process tools and mechanical systems, including:
• Gas delivery systems: working with high-purity, toxic, flammable, and inert gas delivery infrastructure;
• Vacuum systems: maintaining and troubleshooting a range of vacuum pumps (dry, wet, turbo, cryo, roots);
• Cleanroom infrastructure: supporting HVAC systems and ultrapure water systems.
• Strong understanding of cleanroom principles, ISO classifications, and contamination control.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills for diagnosing complex equipment malfunctions.
• Desirable: practical experience with electrical and plumbing systems.
• Desirable: familiarity with the mechanical aspects of semiconductor processing equipment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cleanroom safety protocols and best practices for handling hazardous materials, including chemicals, compressed gases, and vacuum hazards; familiarity with safety regulations and standards.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork abilities to interact with researchers, faculty, and staff from diverse technical backgrounds.
• Proficiency in documenting procedures and providing clear guidance to users.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a closely related field.
• Direct experience in a university research facility or similar multi-user R&D environment.
• Experience providing technical training, serving as a lead worker, or supervising junior technicians and students.
• Familiarity with CMMS or similar equipment inventory and service tracking software.
• Experience with Building Management Systems (BMS) for monitoring and controlling cleanroom environmental conditions.
• Project management experience related to facility upgrades or installation of complex capital equipment.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and service contracts.

• Pay Band: 4
• Overtime Status:
  Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)
• Appointment Type:
  Restricted
• Hours per week: 40
• Review Date:
  December 8, 2025

• Required Application Materials:
  Resume/CV;
  Cover Letter;
  Contact information for 3 professional references
• Criminal conviction check may be required.

Virginia Tech supports the motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). A comprehensive land-grant institution, Virginia Tech is committed to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 students across multiple colleges and campuses. The university is a leading global research institution with substantial annual research funding.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. The university does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military…