2027 Cleanroom & Device Test Associate
About The Position
The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Cleanroom & Device Test Associate for its Device Physics and Reliability Section within the Physical Sciences Laboratories. The section investigates electronics reliability and physics of failure for advanced microelectronic and RF systems supporting national security space applications. The associate will support principal investigators and staff scientists by operating sample-preparation and device-processing equipment in the cleanroom and performing electrical measurements on the same devices at the bench. The position is full-time and on-site at the facility in El Segundo, California. The role involves preparing, processing, and deprocessing samples and test structures; conducting electrical measurements on bare die and packaged parts; collecting and analyzing data; and correlating electrical results with physical and process observations. The associate will also follow cleanroom and chemical-safety protocols, assemble test setups, help communicate results through reports and presentations, and maintain equipment calibration and service readiness. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is required.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in electrical engineering, materials science, physics, or a related discipline, pursuing or conferred within the last 12 months.
- 0–1 year of industry work experience.
- Experience working in a cleanroom environment, including gowning and contamination-control protocols.
- Comfort handling harsh or hazardous chemicals, such as hydrofluoric acid, under established safety procedures.
- General knowledge of semiconductor devices and circuits.
- Team-oriented approach and strong organizational skills.
- Ability to quickly troubleshoot problems.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work well in a team environment.
- Organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
- Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational needs.
- Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with internal and external organizations.
- Transcripts required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university in electrical engineering, materials science, physics, or a related discipline, pursuing or conferred within the last 12 months.
- Experience in a cleanroom or semiconductor fab environment, including internships.
- Hands-on experience with cleanroom process tools such as RIE, RTA, wafer dicers, E-beam lithography or evaporation, and photolithography.
- Experience with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Familiarity with KLayout or similar mask/layout design and viewing software.
- Benchtop equipment experience, including parameter analyzers, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, DC power supplies, and multimeters.
- Experience automating lab instruments using Python, LabVIEW, or another programming language.
- Ability to handle multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
Responsibilities
- Operate cleanroom equipment, including reactive ion etching (RIE), rapid thermal annealing (RTA), wafer dicers, lithography aligners, E-beam evaporators, profilometers, and furnaces, to prepare, process, and deprocess samples and test structures.
- Safely handle hazardous chemicals, including hydrofluoric acid, under established safety procedures.
- Perform electrical measurements on bare die and packaged parts using probe stations and benchtop test equipment.
- Maintain cleanroom protocols, gowning procedures, and equipment logs.
- Assemble test setups based on requirements provided by the principal investigator.
- Collect and analyze measurement data, correlating electrical results with physical and process observations.
- Support reports and presentations to communicate results.
- Maintain equipment capability by ensuring it is calibrated and serviced when needed.
- Adapt to changing duties, responsibilities, and activities as assigned.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
- 401(k) plan with company-paid contributions based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
- Flexible spending accounts.
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
- Relocation assistance.
- Professional growth and development programs.
- Education assistance programs.
- Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
