Electron Optics Engineer

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 positioning team is responsible for designing, prototyping and building semiconductor fab equipment and subsystems related to lithography, motion and metrology.

About the role

The electron optics engineer is a hands-on design role that will be directly involved with prototyping and production of precision beam transport systems for Atomic Semi’s custom semiconductor tooling. In this position, you would be applying optical theory to the charged particle domain to evaluate design concepts, and then taking them from white board to reality. We are seeking candidates with experience rapidly prototyping components for complex systems, and a first-principles mindset to analysis and design. Expect working through difficult design challenges, rapid iteration, lab experiments/collection of data, debugging hardware, and making exciting discoveries.

Responsibilities

• Design, analysis, and bring-up of electron-optical systems and related equipment including electron sources, lenses, detectors, beam steering, vacuum chambers, etc.

• Create innovative solutions utilizing novel electron optical techniques

• Electrostatics simulation, mechanical design, high vacuum, ray optics analysis.

• Gathering requirements for designs to facilitate successful bring up of new semiconductor tooling

• Interface with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and process engineers

Required Experience

• A degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or something similar

• 2+ years of hands-on work with precision electron or ion beam systems is required (designing, modeling, building, testing)

• 5+ years total experience working on complex hardware systems, either in industry or research

• A strong understanding of charged particle optics and electrostatic/magnetic fields

• Comfortable working with high vacuum systems — you know your way around chambers, pumps, and component selection

• Confident in mechanical CAD

Nice to have

• Experience with electrostatics simulation tools like SIMION, COMSOL, CPO2D, CPO3D

• Electronics skills: usage of oscilloscopes, basic circuit design, grounding + shielding

• Light-based optics experience

• Experience with beam profiling or diagnostics

• Have done tolerance analysis of electron beam systems

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. 

Compensation: Atomic Semi is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The annual salary range for this role is $125,000 – $188,000. Compensation is determined based on your qualifications and experience. Our total compensation package also includes generous equity in Atomic Semi.

Benefits: Atomic Semi offers the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

• Generous Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time

• Visa Sponsorship

• Life and Disability Insurance

• Paid Parental Leave

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Weekly Learning & Development opportunities

• Commuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office

• Lunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts

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.

Export Control Analysis: 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.