Senior Nanofabrication Central Facility Engineer, Facility Manager / Nanofabrication Central Facility Research Engineer, Process Specialist

Location: Engineering Research Center

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Job Description:

It is an exciting time in the core facility of Instrumentation for Molecular and Nanoscale Innovation (IMNI) of Brown University.  We have a single position to hire a Senior Nanofabrication Central Facility Engineer / Facility Manager or a Nanofabrication Central Facility (NCF) Research Engineer / Process Specialist. 

About the roles:

Senior Nanofabrication Central Facility Engineer / Facility Manager

The Senior Nanofabrication Central Facility (NCF) Engineer / Facility Manager serves as the technical lead and operational manager for IMNI’s Nanofabrication Central Facility, a shared-use cleanroom supporting micro- and nanofabrication research and instruction across the University. The position is responsible for the safe, reliable, and strategic operation of a complex fabrication environment that supports a large, interdisciplinary user community spanning engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and related research areas.

Nanofabrication is inherently process-driven, requiring coordinated use of multiple tools, materials, and techniques within tightly controlled, multi-step workflows. This role provides facility-wide technical and managerial authority over process integration, tool interoperability, maintenance strategy, and safety practices, ensuring that fabrication activities are conducted safely, reproducibly, and efficiently across diverse research programs.

In addition to operational leadership, the position plays a central role in training and developing users and research groups, working closely with faculty, students, and staff to design, refine, and implement fabrication process flows aligned with research objectives. The Senior Engineer / Facility Manager is expected to be available and engaged in guiding process development efforts, particularly for complex, high-risk, or novel fabrication approaches that span multiple tool families.

The position supervises technical staff and trainees, establishes consistent standards for user progression toward independent proficiency, and ensures that institutional knowledge is captured and transferred through documentation, training, and mentoring. By translating deep hands-on expertise into sustainable operational and training structures, the role ensures that NCF capabilities scale with research demand and do not depend on any single individual, thereby supporting the long-term vitality of IMNI’s nanofabrication ecosystem.

Nanofabrication Central Facility (NCF) Research Engineer / Process Specialist

The Nanofabrication Central Facility (NCF) Research Engineer / Process Specialist supports the daily operation, safety, and user program of IMNI’s Nanofabrication Central Facility. The position provides advanced, hands-on technical and process support for shared-use cleanroom tools and fabrication workflows, including photolithography, thin-film deposition, plasma and wet etching, thermal processing, metrology, and device fabrication.

Nanofabrication relies on the integration of multiple unit process steps into coherent, reliable process flows. This role requires a strong understanding of how individual tools, materials, and process steps interact, and how upstream and downstream decisions affect yield, reliability, and tool integrity. The position plays a critical role in actively supervising, guiding, and mentoring users during fabrication activities, helping them progress toward safe, independent, and proficient cleanroom use.

The position operates with substantial independence and technical judgment, including significant hands-on in process troubleshooting, tool maintenance, and recovery.

The successful candidate, as a minimum, should have the following background: 

Senior Nanofabrication Central Facility Engineer / Facility Manager

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related field required.

Master’s degree preferred.

Eight to 12 years of progressively responsible experience in nanofabrication, cleanroom operations, or advanced process development environments.

Job Competencies

Demonstrated experience supervising staff or leading complex technical programs.

Deep understanding of integrated fabrication workflows, maintenance strategies, and cleanroom safety.

Demonstrated ability to support a community of diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.

Excellent customer service orientation and communication skills, both verbal and written to communicate technical issues and ideas.

Able to manage workflow and schedule.

Initiative and ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

Excellent listening and collaboration skills.

Previous experience in an education setting, preferably in a higher education setting.

Nanofabrication Central Facility (NCF) Research Engineer / Process Specialist

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related field required.

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible, hands-on experience in micro- or nanofabrication, cleanroom operations, or related process development environments.

Job Competencies

Strong understanding of integrated nanofabrication process flows.

Demonstrated hands-on experience with cleanroom tools, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Ability to supervise and guide users during complex, multi-step fabrication processes.

Strong problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills.

Demonstrated commitment to safety and responsible cleanroom operation.

Demonstrated ability to support a community of diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.

Please submit a cover letter, specifying which position you are applying to and a resume with your application.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University.

For current information on Brown's vaccine requirements and other community health matters, please refer to the Healthy Brown website.

Why Brown?

Brown University is a leading research university that is distinct for its student-centered learning and deep sense of purpose. Our students, faculty, and staff are driven by the idea that their work will impact the world.

Brown University offers a flexible work/life balance, summer hours, winter break, and a comprehensive Benefits package, including time off and annual paid holidays. Benefit offerings include health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, wellness, employee discounts, and more. 

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here.

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Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.