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Salary: USD 220,000 - 300,000 / annual
Periodic Labs is an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs in materials, energy, and related domains. As a Research Engineer focused on semiconductors, you will own device-level validation of novel materials work, taking thin-film stacks from deposition through patterned test vehicles to measure electrical performance.
You will design and execute short-loop experiments that demonstrate how materials and interfaces translate into device behavior, leveraging both internal and external lab resources. Key responsibilities include designing, fabricating, and characterizing test vehicles against clear electrical targets; building patterned devices end-to-end using photolithography, direct-write laser lithography, or e-beam lithography integrated with deposition, etch, and metrology; depositing thin-film stacks with engineered interfaces using PVD, PLD, MBE, and ALD/CVD techniques; and performing electrical characterization on probe stations while designing custom measurement test benches where commercial tools are insufficient.
You will connect materials and interface properties to device outcomes, feeding insights back into film-stack and process development. The role also includes contributing technical expertise to customer-facing engagements, translating customer needs into experimental plans and communicating results. You will document experimental methodology, results, and learnings to support both internal knowledge and AI training infrastructure.
Ideal candidates hold an MS or PhD in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field with relevant industry experience. Semiconductor industry background in device development or process integration at an IDM, foundry, or memory manufacturer is strongly preferred. You should have strong command of device physics and integration flows, hands-on fabrication experience spanning lithography and deposition techniques, deep understanding of how materials and interface quality drive performance, and proficiency in probe-station measurement and custom electrical test setup design. A foundation in condensed matter physics, spintronics, magnetic materials, or quantum phenomena is a plus, as is working knowledge of emerging memory and logic architectures. You must be startup-ready: able to operate effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while implementing industry-standard best practices.
