waypointjobs

Periodic

Research Engineer, Semiconductor

menlo park, CA

Check who can apply and the requirements below before continuing.

About this opportunity

Periodic lists this Research Engineer, Semiconductor opportunity in menlo park, California. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.

Job description

About Periodic Labs

We’re an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what’s scientifically possible.

About the Role

As a Research Engineer, Semiconductor, you’ll own device-level validation of our materials work, taking novel thin-film stacks from deposition through patterned test vehicles to measure electrical performance. You’ll design and run short-loop experiments that demonstrate how materials and interfaces translate into device behavior, leveraging both internal and external lab resources. You’ll also contribute technical expertise to customer-facing engagements, and this role blends deep hands‑on capability with the flexibility to work across teams and partners to solve hard materials problems.

What You’ll Do

Design, fabricate, and characterize short-loop device test vehicles that demonstrate material and device performance against clear electrical targets.

Build patterned devices end-to-end using photolithography, direct‑write laser lithography, or e‑beam lithography, integrated with deposition, etch, and metrology.

Deposit thin-film stacks with engineered, complex interfaces using PVD, PLD, MBE, and ALD/CVD techniques.

Perform electrical characterization on probe stations, and design and build custom measurement test benches where commercial tools fall short.

Connect materials and interface properties to device outcomes, feeding insights back into film‑stack and process development.

Contribute technical expertise to customer‑facing engagements, translating customer needs into experimental plans and results.

Document experimental methodology, results, and learnings to feed both internal knowledge and AI training infrastructure.

You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have

MS or PhD in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, plus relevant industry experience.

Semiconductor industry experience in device development or process integration, background at an IDM, foundry, or memory manufacturer strongly preferred.

Strong command of device physics and integration flows, with a track record of demonstrating device performance in short-loop test vehicles.

Hands‑on fabrication experience spanning lithography (photo, laser direct‑write, or e‑beam), thin‑film deposition, etch, and metrology.

A deep understanding of how materials selection and interface quality drive device performance.

Proficiency in probe‑station device measurement, plus the ability to architect and assemble custom electrical test setups.

A strong condensed matter physics foundation, spintronics, magnetic materials, or quantum phenomena, is a plus.

Working knowledge of emerging memory and logic device architectures is a plus.

Startup‑ready mindset: able to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, ambiguous environment while implementing industry‑standard best practices.

Mechanics

Minimum education: Master’s degree with relevant experience

Location: Menlo Park, CA

Compensation: $220k - $300k + equity

Visa sponsorship: Yes, we sponsor visas and will do everything we can to assist in this process with our legal support.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Worksite address

menlo park, CA, 94029, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.

Ready for your next step?Apply on the official website
Apply on WhatJobs ↗

Explore related searches

Current related jobs

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

WhatJobs

Senior Product Quality & Root Cause Engineer

haw river, NC

Salary not specified

What Makes a Honda, is Who makes a Honda Honda has a clear vision for the future, and it’s a joyful one.  We are looking for individuals with t…

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job

Avantor

WhatJobs

Process Engineer

carpinteria, CA

See pay details in description

The Opportunity: NuSil (apart of Avantor) is seeking a Process Engineer to be responsible for all phases of silicone products manufacturing…

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job

GE Vernova

WhatJobs

Lead Application Engineer

boston, MA

See pay details in description

Job Description Summary The Lead Application Engineer is an established leader in their respective engineering team. They will drive busine…

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job

Saab

WhatJobs

Senior Systems Engineer

dewitt, NY

See pay details in description

Job Description: Saab, Inc. is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Systems Engineer to join our Systems Engineering team to develop c…

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job

Saab

WhatJobs

Senior Staff Electrical Engineer

duxbury, MA

Compensation Range: $127,300 - $165,500

Job Description: Saab Inc., Autonomous and Undersea Systems division is seeking an innovative and experienced Senior Staff Electrical Engineer…

Listing review due 2026-10-06View job