Microdevices Engineer II
About The Position
JPL focuses on groundbreaking ideas that can change the world, seeking answers to the biggest questions in the universe. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL offers a unique campus-like work environment that fosters passion, innovation, collaboration, and excellence. The Instrument Systems, Microdevices, and Sensors Section (365) is dedicated to developing and integrating next-generation quantum, micro-nanodevices, and sensors for advanced flight instruments and deep space communications. This section also supports the Communications and Instruments Division in implementing flight instruments through Instrument Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test, covering technologies from RF to UV, including micro-electro-mechanical systems and quantum engineering. The Superconductive Materials and Devices Group (365H), a globally recognized leader in superconducting detector development, is seeking a Microdevices Engineer II. This role involves leading the development of large-format mid-infrared cameras based on superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) for time-resolved single photon counting. These advanced sensors have applications in astronomy, semiconductor failure analysis, biomedical imaging, quantum information science, remote sensing, and dark matter detection. The engineer will be responsible for advancing nanofabrication processes for SNSPD cameras, optimizing superconducting materials for high performance at mid-infrared wavelengths, and pushing the state of the art in device performance to achieve high optical efficiency, low timing jitter, high maximum count rate, low dark counts, and high pixel counts in SNSPDs for future space applications.
Requirements
- Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, or Electrical Engineering with 3 years of related experience, or Masters with 1 years of related experience, or PhD with 0 years of related experience.
- Hands-on experience with nanofabrication process development for superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. Experience and knowledge of advanced lithography tools, etch processes, and fabrication process steps for SNSPDs.
- Direct experience optimizing superconducting materials for superconducting detectors, using physical deposition techniques such as sputtering and atomic layer deposition.
- Extensive understanding of superconducting materials, the physics of the photon detection process in SNSPDs, and the physics involved with trading off different device parameters
- Hands-on experience and practical advanced knowledge in design, fabrication, and testing of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors at sub-kelvin temperatures
- Committed team leader with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively
Nice To Haves
- Previous experience with SNSPD development
- Experience with mid-infrared SNSPD measurements
Responsibilities
- Developing new nanofabrication processes for large-format SNSPD cameras which take advantage of the new 90-nm ASML photolithography tool within MDL
- Tuning and optimizing superconducting material deposition parameters to achieve optimal device performance in large SNSPD cameras
- Designing new SNSPD sensors, including mask layout, material choices, and parametric device design.
- Testing SNSPD cameras at sub-kelvin temperatures
- Developing advanced readout solutions for highly multiplexed SNSPD cameras.
Benefits
- a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans
- paid time off
- learning
- rideshare
- childcare
- flexible schedule
- parental leave
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
