SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 150,000 - 210,000 / annual
fab2 is an early-stage hardware startup designing and manufacturing semiconductor fabrication tools, equipment, and components. The company was founded by Sam Zeloof (known for making chips in his garage) and Jim Keller (40-year semiconductor industry veteran). fab2 operates labs and offices in Austin, Lockhart, and San Francisco.
The Process Team sits at the heart of in-house device development, driving the design of each new generation of tools. Unlike roles at traditional foundries, this team simultaneously develops recipes, applies novel materials, tests and characterizes chips, and troubleshoots tools.
As a Staff R&D Device Engineer, you will be the vital link bridging process development, electrical test, and integration. You will define initial transistor architectures and drive deep diagnostic analysis. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role where your characterization and parameter extraction will directly contribute to achieving targets in device performance, scaling, power, cost, and production time.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design device architectures and tailor novel transistor structures to meet device specifications
- Execute tape-outs and test key designs
- Perform electrical characterization (I-V/C-V) on transistors and MOSCAPs across process splits to establish baseline device behavior
- Dissect complex electrical and physical data to pinpoint bottlenecks and inform material and flow improvements
- Extract core device parameters to construct foundational technology performance models
Requirements:
- Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Solid State Physics, or closely related field
- Rigorous understanding of advanced CMOS/MOSFET device physics and solid-state electronics fundamentals
- Deep experience with semiconductor device measurement (I-V/C-V) and probe station operation
- Strong skills in data analysis and scripting to accelerate testing and learning cycles
- Ability to translate complex device physics concepts clearly to cross-functional partners
Nice-to-have:
- Familiarity with semiconductor simulation software (TCAD, HSPICE) and practical experience with Process Design Kits (PDKs) or test chip layout
- Proficiency in scripting languages (Python, MATLAB) to automate testing workflows and large-scale data analysis
- Hands-on cleanroom experience and comprehensive understanding of full CMOS manufacturing process flow
- Background in semiconductor reliability testing (HCI, NBTI/PBTI, TDDB) and incorporating degradation mechanisms into process feedback
