QPG Laboratory Engineer

The Quantum Photonics Group (led by Principal Investigator (PI) Oskar Painter) is seeking a Laboratory Engineer to assist in the day-to-day technical operations of its cleanroom facilities on the Caltech campus. The QPG Laboratory Engineer will maintain peak performance of state-of-the-art nanofabrication equipment, including material deposition systems (e.g., plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, physical vapor deposition), material etching systems (e.g., reactive ion etchers, vapor HF), a scanning electron microscope, fume hoods for wet chemistry, and other supporting tools.

Responsibilities for equipment will be shared with other technicians and a process engineer, with whom the QPG Laboratory Engineer will work closely. The role involves taking ownership of equipment by learning how to operate it at peak performance, administering maintenance and alignments, and documenting solutions for future repairs. The Laboratory Engineer will carry out test protocols and preventative maintenance plans to minimize equipment failure and maximize uptime.

The successful candidate will become an expert in equipment operation and will train lab users to operate the equipment to peak performance. Overall, the QPG Laboratory Engineer is expected to contribute to the lab culture and capabilities and meet the high standards necessary to run a world-class research operation.

• Follow established protocols to perform qualifying runs on equipment on a daily or weekly basis to ensure that equipment is operating at peak performance for the lab users.
• Assist in developing new protocols for equipment that do not yet have them, setting the standard by which peak performance can be evaluated.
• Help maintain organized data records that can be used to verify peak performance and to indicate when maintenance and/or alignments of equipment components are necessary.
• Work with the lab engineer to administer preventative maintenance plans on equipment to keep performance at the established, high standard; this includes performing instrument alignments.
• Perform routine repairs of mechanical, electrical and vacuum systems to address day-to-day problems; aid in diagnosing and fixing problems by reading through equipment and utility schematics, soliciting advice from vendors, and communicating with other lab staff, the lab PI, and the lab users.
• For repairs that rise to the level of needing attention from vendor service people, coordinate the service and follow through until the service is complete. This includes documenting the service visit and communicating results to the other lab staff, lab PI, and to the lab users.
• Lead in creating, updating and maintaining equipment troubleshooting documents that can be used to address commonly encountered problems.
• Carry out quality control practices, such as lab walkthrough checklists, and help improve these practices.
• Create, update and maintain standard operating procedures for lab equipment.
• Train lab users on the safe and successful operation of equipment, up to the standard of achieving peak performance.
• Participate in the discussion of laboratory protocols and objectives with the lab users, the other lab staff, and the lab PI.
• Communicate progress and problems to other lab staff and the PI via email/phone, in meetings, and in reports, depending on the urgency and scope.
• Respond to new technical challenges, research and reference – and then implement – established scientific/technical practices, standards and/or policies.
• Contribute to the planning, installation, and commissioning of new equipment in the laboratory, then establish operational protocols and maintenance plans for such equipment.
• Assist in the maintenance of stock levels and inventory of lab supplies such as consumable materials, gas bottles, solvents, wet etchants, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other general supplies, as needed; communicate this information to the Lab Manager.
• Help to maintain, upgrade, and backup computer systems in the lab (e.g., computers for individual instruments, login terminals, and new computer networking projects).
• Maintain awareness of laws and…