Nano Process Engineer

University of Delaware - Newark, DE

Full-time - Mid Level

Newark, DE

Educational Services

About the position

The University of Delaware (UD) is in the process of constructing a cutting-edge Nanofabrication Facility as part of the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory. This facility is designed to play a pivotal role in modern science and engineering research, enabling researchers from various disciplines to explore the vast opportunities available at the nanoscale. The primary goal of the facility is to attract and retain top-tier faculty while providing the necessary infrastructure for both existing and new faculty and researchers in the tri-state area and beyond to engage in competitive research and development in the rapidly evolving fields that depend on nanofabrication. Given the complexity of the equipment used in nanofabrication, it is essential to maintain extremely clean conditions to achieve consistent and reproducible results. Under the limited direction of the Nanofabrication Facility Manager, the Process Engineer will be responsible for a range of tasks including specifying, acquiring, installing, qualifying, operating, and developing processes for nanofabrication equipment. The engineer will also provide training on the equipment and offer expert guidance to both current and prospective users regarding the materials and techniques that best meet their research needs. Continuous development of new processes to advance the state of the art is expected to attract and serve both internal and external customers. Additionally, the Process Engineer will assist in proposal preparation, which includes conducting preliminary investigations and writing proposals.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the operation, maintenance, and training of nanofabrication equipment in the facility.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial users to advise and enable their research, serving as a resource for process flow planning and optimization.
• Develop, document, and continuously improve nanofabrication processes and techniques for researchers.
• Oversee training and demonstration of instrument operation procedures to students, researchers, faculty, and external users.
• Participate in the evaluation and selection of major new equipment for the facility.
• Plan, direct, and organize the installation and qualification of instruments.
• Identify equipment performance degradation and develop maintenance standards.
• Troubleshoot, maintain, and repair defective instruments, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Supervise and coordinate manufacturer service technicians during repair and maintenance procedures.
• Maintain competence and knowledge of state-of-the-art nanofabrication techniques through professional activities.
• Assist in developing and enforcing safety and operational protocols for the facility.
• Coordinate scheduling and track usage of nanofabrication equipment.

Requirements

• Master's degree in physics, engineering, or a related field with at least six years of experience with nanofabrication equipment and processes; Ph.D. preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of the fundamentals and recent advances in nanofabrication techniques.
• Strong mechanical inclination and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to coordinate technical personnel for repairs and maintenance of complex equipment.
• Strong attention to detail, persistence, and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• High energy, self-motivated with strong communication skills and a strong sense of ownership.
• Ability to work collaboratively with personnel at various levels of expertise.
• Project management skills to prioritize and organize work, analyze and solve problems, and make sound decisions.
• Competence in investigation, analysis, and logic to coordinate scientific research.
• Broad nanofabrication experience in process development and equipment troubleshooting/maintenance/repair.
• Experience with specifying, purchasing, installing, and qualifying a wide range of nanofabrication equipment.