About Atomic Semi
Atomic Semi is building a small, fast semiconductor fab.
It’s already possible to build this with today’s technology and a few simplifications. We’ll build the tools ourselves so we can quickly iterate and improve.
We’re building a small team of exceptional, hands-on engineers to make this happen. Mechanical, electrical, hardware, computer, and process. We’ll own the stack from atoms to architecture. Our team is optimistic about the future and we want to continue pushing the limits of technology.
Smaller is better. Faster is better. Building it ourselves is better.
We believe our team and lab can build anything. We’ve set up 3D printers, a wide array of microscopes, e-beam writers, general fabrication equipment - and whatever is missing, we’ll just invent along the way.
Atomic was founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. Sam is best known for making chips in his garage, and Jim has been a leader in the semiconductor industry for the past 40 years.
About the team
The mechanical engineering team is responsible for designing, prototyping, and building semiconductor fabrication equipment. Their knowledge and experience allows them to develop new technologies and create innovative designs to improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of semiconductor fabrication.
About the role
As an instrumentation engineer at Atomic Semi, you will work closely with other engineers to prototype, augment, and refine lithography systems, deposition tools, vacuum chambers, nanometer precision motion control, plasma etching systems, and related tools.
We’re looking for a well-rounded engineer that is comfortable working on complicated systems that span disciplines like optics, fluids, heat transfer, physics, and chemistry.
The ideal candidate has hands-on prototyping experience and can move through design cycles fast. Our philosophy is to get things built/tested in days or weeks, not months. Because of this, a portfolio is required to apply: show us the things you’ve actually built!
Responsibilities
This person will be responsible for designing and developing precision mechanical components, complex assemblies, sensor & actuator integration, and associated drawings and documentation.
Comfortable exploring scientific literature and translating into mechanical requirements.
Required experience
Bachelor’s degree or higher, or equivalent experience
Minimum 8+ years of industry experience in mechanical engineering
Track record of system design from concept to working prototype
Experience designing for conventional machining and additive manufacturing. Comfortable & creative with rapid prototyping methods
Strong physics fundamentals
Comfortable generating conceptual requirements from primary literature and reducing them to practical implementation
Nice-to-have
Experience designing for high voltage, vacuum, and EM fields
Familiarity with semiconductor processing
Strong portfolio of instrumentation development
Prior work with plasma physics is a strong bonus
Strong academic publication record
Has graduated designs to commercial scale-up/manufacturing
Working at Atomic Semi
We’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and a lab/office in San Francisco, CA.
Atomic Semi is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The annual salary range for this role is $100,000 – $170,000. Compensation is determined within the range based on your qualifications, experience, and location. Our total compensation package also includes generous equity in Atomic Semi.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.
This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.
