Microdevices Engineer II

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Instrument Systems, Microdevices, and Sensors Section (365) at JPL is dedicated to developing and integrating next-generation technologies in quantum, micro-nanodevices, and sensors. These technologies are crucial for advanced flight sensors, instruments, and deep space communications. The section also plays a vital role in supporting the Communications and Instruments Division by implementing flight instruments through Instrument Systems Engineering, Instrument Integration and Test, covering a spectrum from RF to ultraviolet (UV), including micro-electro-mechanical systems and quantum engineering. You will be joining the Superconductive Materials and Devices Group (365H), which is renowned globally for its work in developing novel superconducting detectors that operate at the fundamental limits of detection across various wavelengths, from microwave to far-infrared, optical, and ultraviolet. In this role as a Microdevices Engineer II, you will lead the development of large-format mid-infrared cameras utilizing superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) for time-resolved single photon counting. These cameras have diverse applications, including astronomy, semiconductor failure analysis, biomedical imaging, quantum information science, remote sensing, and dark matter detection. Your primary objective will be to advance the state of the art in SNSPD performance, focusing on achieving high optical efficiency, low timing jitter, high maximum count rate, low dark counts, and high pixel counts, specifically at mid-infrared wavelengths. This work is at the forefront of developing advanced future sensors for space applications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, or Electrical Engineering with 3 years of related experience, or Masters with 1 year 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
• Many more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees