Photonics Fabrication Process Engineer

About Xanadu

Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. What we are doing is extremely hard, the classic moon shot. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems, and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your Role and Responsibilities

As an industry leader in photonic quantum computing, Xanadu takes hardware very seriously! In this role, you will work within the Fabrication Process Engineering team to deliver Xanadu’s photonic quantum computing hardware. With your deep technical expertise and strong experience in photonics and/or semiconductor fabrication process development, you will be responsible for developing and optimizing patterning processes used to build critical components of Xanadu’s quantum computing hardware.

• Define and execute metrology and failure analysis plans to identify and mitigate failure modes and assess results of process optimization experiments
• Challenge the state-of-the-art in key performance metrics associated with integrated photonics fabrication
• Collaborate with internal and external photonics process engineers and integrators, including at Xanadu’s foundry partners
• Stay abreast of new developments in the field of photonics fabrication process development
• Aggressively improve fabrication processes related to device patterning in order to deliver photonic quantum computing hardware that meets strict performance specifications
• Own the development and optimization of patterning process modules used to build state-of-the-art photonic quantum computing hardware

Basic Qualifications and Experience

• Familiarity with standard semiconductor and photonics metrology and failure analysis techniques, including at least three of: SEM, TEM, AFM, ellipsometry, XRR/XRD, SIMS, Raman spectroscopy
• Demonstrated ability to tackle challenging problems and develop innovative solutions
• Experience with semiconductor and photonic patterning processes and related, including at least one of: dry etching, wet etching, ion beam etching, DUV lithography, EUV lithography, e-beam lithography, CMP
• Experience with data analysis and related software, such as Python, JMP, MATLAB, etc.
• Work experience at a major R&D center, national lab, or industrial setting, including experience with projects for both industry and fundamental research
• ≥ 3 years of experience with integrated photonics fabrication and fabrication process development, especially in the fields of etch and/or lithography
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Excellent communication skills and strong sense of teamwork
• Familiarity with photonic components, such as waveguides, beamsplitters, resonators, MZIs, etc.
• PhD in electrical engineering, physics, materials science or related field

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working in fabless companies
• Experience in photonic quantum computing hardware development
• Deep experience with at least two of the following: hard mask development for improving etch selectivity; patterning process development for line edge roughness and/or sidewall roughness reduction; etch process development utilizing non-standard chemistries and/or purely physical processes; process development for etching non-standard crystalline materials; OPC and other lithography enhancement and correction techniques
• Experience with full product development cycle, from R&D through volume ramping
• ≥ 5 years of experience with integrated photonics fabrication and fabrication process development, especially in the fields of etch and/or lithography
• Experience coordinating with and managing external partners, including major semiconductor and photonics foundries
• Experience working in a production environment for semiconductor and/or integrated photonics products
• Demonstrated track record of achieving low loss in integrated photonic components through fabrication process development

Values

Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here.