What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Materials Engineer, Functional Thin Films, Terafab position at Tesla?
What To Expect
Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI are partnering to launch the most epic chip-building effort ever – combining logic, memory, and advanced packaging under one roof. Terafab will close the gap between today's chip production and the future's demand – a future among the stars.
The team is seeking a Thin Film Functional Materials Engineer to develop and optimize advanced ceramic and functional thin-film materials for semiconductor and energy applications. You will work at the intersection of ceramics science, thin-film processing, and device integration, developing materials with tailored electrical, thermal, optical, or mechanical properties. This role requires a strong foundation in ceramic materials science and hands-on experience with thin-film synthesis and characterization. This position requires up to 20% domestic travel.
What You'll Do
Develop and characterize novel functional thin films (e.g., ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, dielectrics, others) for semiconductor and device applications Optimize thin-film synthesis routes including sol-gel, chemical solution deposition, PVD, and ALD for compositions Investigate structure-property relationships in polycrystalline and epitaxial thin films through systematic characterization Collaborate with process engineers to integrate functional ceramic layers into multilayer device stacks Perform electrical, optical, and mechanical characterization of thin films (impedance spectroscopy, nanoindentation, piezoresponse force microscopy) Evaluate phase stability, crystallization kinetics, and texture evolution in films as a function of processing conditions Contribute to materials selection and qualification for new product development programs Document experimental results and present findings to cross-functional technical teams
What You'll Bring
Degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field with emphasis on functional ceramics or thin-film materials, or equivalent experience 5 years of experience in thin-film development, processing, or characterization Strong knowledge of crystal chemistry, phase equilibria, and crystallization behavior in thin-film geometries Hands-on experience with at least two thin-film deposition techniques (PVD, CVD, etc.) Proficiency in XRD, SEM, and electrical characterization of films Understanding of device integration requirements and compatibility constraints for layers Experience with lead-free piezoelectrics, high-k dielectrics, or solid-state ionics is preferred Familiarity with computational thermodynamics (CALPHAD) or combinatorial thin-film synthesis methods is a plus Ability to travel up to 20%
Benefits
Compensation and Benefits
As a part-time Tesla employee, you will be eligible for:
401(k) with employer match Employee Assistance Program Sick and Vacation time Tesla Babies program Back-up childcare and parenting support resources Pet Insurance
, Tesla
Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI are partnering to launch the most epic chip-building effort ever – combining logic, memory, and advanced packaging under one roof. Terafab will close the gap between today's chip production and the future's demand – a future among the stars.
The team is seeking a Thin Film Functional Materials Engineer to develop and optimize advanced ceramic and functional thin-film materials for semiconductor and energy applications. You will work at the intersection of ceramics science, thin-film processing, and device integration, developing materials with tailored electrical, thermal, optical, or mechanical properties. This role requires a strong foundation in ceramic materials science and hands-on experience with thin-film synthesis and characterization. This position requires up to 20% domestic travel.
What You'll Do
Compensation and Benefits
As a part-time Tesla employee, you will be eligible for: