The USC Viterbi School of Engineering (https://viterbischool.usc.edu/) is innovative, elite and internationally recognized for creating new models of education, research and commercialization that

are firmly rooted in real world needs. The school’s first priorities are the education of outstanding

students and the pursuit and publication of new research.

There is a key need in the School of Engineering John D. O'Brien Nanofabrication Laboratory for a

Lab Operation Engineer. Located in the basement of the Michelson Center for Convergent

Biosciences (MCB), the Nanofabrication Lab is a 10,000 square foot, class 100/1000 state-of-the art,

newly constructed cleanroom. The Nanofabrication Lab provides USC faculty and researchers

with a World Class Facility for Micro and Nanofabrication of devices, circuits, and materials synthesis

and will have applications in Engineering, Biosciences, Material Science, and Physics.

Job Description:

We are looking for a highly-motivated Lab Operation Engineer. Reporting to the Associate Director,

this individual will support the cleanroom users with training, developing nanofabrication process, create new processes, and improve yield and device performance. Collaborate with facility staff and research users to identify tool operation, process issues and address those issues promptly with proper maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting. The ideal candidate should be customer service oriented and contribute towards improving the operation of the facility.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Supervise and assists Nanofabrication users in training/operations of equipment and process-related support for lithography, deposition, etching.
• Define, create, and develop new/in-house process flows and ensure continuous improvement to meet our research needs and increase the process and product yield.
• Improve the standardization of design rules for the process, so the established standard process flow consistency is improved and create a process library for ongoing and future processes.
• Interact with internal and external users to design, new experiments, perform processes and fabrication of devices.
• Development of novel and specialized process flow and device integration to support our growing user base.
• Monitors the user activities in the cleanroom to ensure proper and safe operation of the tool. Identify any safety or process violations and implements/enforce corrective actions, promote lab safety, and ensure compliance with University EH&S policy and safety practices.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures for cleanroom equipment and process.
• Handling hazardous materials, chemicals, and gases. Work with EH&S and in charge of chemical waste disposal.
• Assist staff in installation and schedule preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment, including daily tasks to ensure instruments are working correctly.
• Provide secondary support for other equipment in the cleanroom.
• Assist staff in design modification/upgrade of tools and facility, new equipment acquisitions experimental design, interpretation of the result.
• Perform an inventory of cleanroom supplies, chemicals, gases, and record keeping.
• Be able to handle multiple tasks and prioritize activities. Flexibility to real-time request.
• Anticipate and take proactive measures to make sure the cleanroom running smoothly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The position requires either a Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering scientific discipline and relevant work experience in industry or a research lab, a Master's degree in Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering, and at least 3 years of experience in industry or a research lab, or a Bachelor's degree in Physics, Chemistry, or Engineering with at least 5 years of experience in industry or a research lab.
• Technical knowledge and hands-on experience with mechanical tools, vacuum systems, and electronics.
• Experience in Micro and Nano Fabrication processes and technology, familiar with clean room safety practices.
• Computer skills in office software.

Additional Information:

This is an on-site position at USC’s University Park Campus located in Los Angeles, California. The Nanofabrication Lab Operation Engineer will be expected to work onsite 5 days per week. This position is not eligible for fully remote work.

The annual base salary range for this position is $68,505.20- $83,100.83. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Required Applicant Documents:

A resume/CV and a cover letter are required. Please feel free to upload your application materials in a single document.

USC and the Viterbi School:

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

Founded in 1905, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering is named for Andrew Viterbi who developed an algorithm to connect the world’s citizens. Similarly, the school, located in Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology and international business in the heart of the Pacific Rim, is a hub for entrepreneurship that connects students from 64 countries.

USC Viterbi is a pioneer in restoring sight to the blind; restoring memory to sufferers of Alzheimer’s; and socially assistive robots to aid seniors with stroke or children with autism. It is the home of the first operational quantum computing center in academia. Our alumni include Neil Armstrong, first human on the moon; A.C. Mike Markkula, co-founder of Apple; and Wanda Austin, former CEO of the Aerospace Corporation.

The USC Viterbi School is consistently ranked among the top graduate programs (U.S. News and World Report). Under the leadership of Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, the school helped re-imagine the 21st century engineer, pioneering the Grand Challenge Scholars Program in schools across the globe. Our mission is to serve California, the nation and the world. At USC Viterbi, we call this the enabling power of Engineering .

Minimum Education: Related graduate study, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related education and experience in research specialization with advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures and analysis methods and ability to supervise on a regular or project basis