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The Montana Microfabrication Facility (MMF) is an open-access Core Facility located on Montana State University’s campus and is a vibrant, growing community serving students, academic researchers, small businesses, and large companies. We plan to fill a full-time technical position focused on developing and optimizing etching processes over the course of a 1.75-year funded project focusing on waveguide optimization in lithium niobate. As a staff member of the MMF, you will evaluate vendor-provided processes, develop and refine in-house processes, and characterize propagation loss and waveguide performance. You will work closely with internal researchers and our local industry partner to advance photonics fabrication capabilities. Additional responsibilities may include mask design, process integration, and regular reporting. You will also be expected to become familiar with the other tools and processes available in our facility required to complete the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Characterize, optimize, and develop etch, deposition, and etch processes to fabricate waveguides in lithium niobate.
• Create, update, and manage travelers and other documentation. (This is very careful documentation)
• Purchase supplies and coordinate with vendors.
• Project management and reporting.
• Learning and operating lithography, etch, deposition, metrology, and test equipment.
• Varying process parameters and performing statistical analysis to improve results.
• Engineering solutions to improve device performance.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• B.S. in physics, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or a combination of education and/or applicable experience.
• Coursework and experience with photolithography, etching, and deposition.
• At least two years of hands-on microfabrication experience in a university cleanroom.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience in pathfinding microfabrication projects in an R&D environment.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills with internal and external users and with private sector individuals.
• Coursework or experience with waveguides, lasers, and photonic integrated circuits.
• Experience troubleshooting a variety of processing problems.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Possess the dedication and commitment to consistently deliver high-quality results and reports.
• Be highly curious and motivated to learn new technical and professional skills.
• Be willing to learn and adapt to new organizational and managerial systems.
• Maintain great relationships with coworkers and customers.
• Have extremely good attention to detail.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR §120.62, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Physical Demands

• Repetitive gowning and de-gowning, wearing full cleanroom attire including coveralls, hoods, gloves, booties, and safety glasses.
• Must be able to ascend and descend ladders.
• Must be able to work in confined spaces and in proximity to loud equipment.
• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 50 pounds occasionally.
• Must be able to stand or walk for extended periods.
• Must be able to work with small, delicate parts requiring fine motor skills.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on June 9th 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR §120.62, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.