Process Development Engineer

General Statement

Please consider this wonderful opportunity to develop technical and professional skills that are relevant to industries expanding both locally and nationally, namely quantum, optics, photonics, and semiconductors. Working at a Core Facility is a great avenue to expand your technical skills and knowledge, gain exposure to a variety of research fields and technical disciplines, and learn about business and management. This position is hands‑on, practical, and will surely set you up for future success.

At the MMF, we work to create a strong, happy, and productive work environment with shared values and a commitment to excellence. The Montana Microfabrication Facility (MMF) is an open‑access Core Facility located on Montana State University’s campus and is a vibrant, growing community serving students, academic researchers, small businesses, and large companies.

We plan to fill a full‑time technical position focused on developing and optimizing etching processes over the course of a 1.75‑year funded project focusing on waveguide optimization in lithium niobate. As a staff member of the MMF, you will evaluate vendor‑provided processes, develop and refine in‑house processes, and characterize propagation loss and waveguide performance. You will work closely with internal researchers and our local industry partner to advance photonics fabrication capabilities.

Additional responsibilities may include mask design, process integration, and regular reporting. You will also be expected to become familiar with the other tools and processes available in our facility required to complete the project.

• Characterize, optimize, and develop etch, deposition, and etch processes to fabricate wave guides in lithium niobate.
• Create, update, and manage travelers and other documentation (this is very careful documentation).
• Purchase supplies and coordinate with vendors.
• Project management and reporting.
• Learning and operating lithography, etch, deposition, metrology, and test equipment.
• Varying process parameters and performing statistical analysis to improve results.
• Engineering solutions to improve device performance.

• B.S. in physics, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or a combination of education and/or applicable experience.
• Coursework and experience with photolithography, etching, and deposition.
• At least two years of hands‑on microfabrication experience in a university cleanroom.

• Experience in pathfinding microfabrication projects in an R&D environment.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills with internal and external users and with private sector individuals.
• Coursework or experience with wave guides, lasers, and photonic integrated circuits.
• Experience troubleshooting a variety of processing problems.

• Possess the dedication and commitment to consistently deliver high‑quality results and reports.
• Be highly curious and motivated to learn new technical and professional skills.
• Be willing to learn and adapt to new organizational and managerial systems.
• Maintain great relationships with coworkers and customers.
• Have extremely good attention to detail.

Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR §120.62, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

• Repetitive gowning and de‑gowning, wearing full cleanroom attire including coveralls, hoods, gloves, booties, and safety glasses.
• Must be able to ascend and descend ladders.
• Must be able to work in confined spaces and in proximity to loud equipment.
• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 50 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to stand or walk for extended periods.
• Must be able to work with small, delicate parts requiring fine motor skills.
• To…