Quantum Compute Nanofabrication Engineer

Western Digital•San Jose, CA

About The Position

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy. As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in. We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide. This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today. We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level. Join us and let’s shape the future of data. We are seeking a talented researcher to join our team and drive innovative research projects in quantum computing, specifically to focus on quantum compute devices nanofabrication. The key emphasis of the project will be design and nanofabrication of superconducting qubit and QPU test devices, intended for thorough understanding of the links between nanofabrication choices and devices performance, as applied to both flux tunable and fixed frequency qubits nanofabricated in various Al, Nb and Ta-based superconducting qubit systems. The overarching goal of the project is to translate exceptional process uniformity abilities in Western Digital into exceptional resonator and qubit performance uniformity across the wafer, and from wafer to wafer. In the course of the project, you will collaborate with both room temperature and low temperature DC and RF metrology scientists to accurately measure and monitor realistic population lifetime distributions, and materials scientist working on wafer level characterization, and drive feedback to our quantum device design and implement nanofabrication process. Successful candidates are expected to have deep familiarity with superconducting qubit design, and variety of nanofabrication techniques typically applied to superconducting qubit devices, such as optical and e-beam lithography, reactive ion etching, chemically assisted ion beam etching, atomic layer etching, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, ion beam deposition and other.

Requirements

Ph.D degree and post-doctoral experience in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science with focus on experimental work on superconducting qubit design, nanofabrication and metrology
Thorough understanding of superconducting qubit design theory
Experience in nanofabrication methods for superconducting qubits
Experience in wafer level metrology, including SEM, TEM, AFM, XPS
Proficiency in a wide array of programming languages, like Python, Rust, TCL, or C, and the ability to choose the right one for the task, including knowledge (or willingness to acquire knowledge) of FPGA based microcontrollers

Nice To Haves

Experience in chip to wafer bonding with superconducting bumps is welcome

Responsibilities

Lead and execute research projects in quantum computing superconducting qubit design and nanofabrication from wafer level nanofabrication, to device packaging, and collaborating with measurement teams in implementing design and nanofabrication process changes to drive continuous improvement
Collaborate with product teams to tackle novel challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Stay current with industry and academic trends, publishing papers and presenting at conferences.
Develop and present detailed reports and visualizations to communicate findings, trends, and actionable insights to stakeholders at all levels.

Benefits

paid vacation time
paid sick leave
medical/dental/vision insurance
life, accident and disability insurance
tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
employee assistance program
other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity
tuition reimbursement
transit
the Applause Program
employee stock purchase plan
the WD Savings 401(k) Plan