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Nanofabrication Scientist

Qubic Inc.about 24 hours ago
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Senior Level
Full-Time

Top Benefits

Health And Dental Benefits
Vacation
Equity Participation Through Stock Options

About the role

The Mission

At Qubic, we are dedicated to the advancement of superconducting quantum sensing and quantum computing. Our focus as a company is on the transition from theory and design of device physics to the realization of high-performance hardware that can reshape quantum measurement. We are looking for a Nanofabrication Scientist to serve as a core technical specialist in our tech team. This is a role for someone who values the systematic nature of cleanroom work, enjoys the complexity of process integration, has interest in the challenges of commercialization, and finds excitement in creating devices, characterizing them, and working in a team to improve scalable quantum hardware.

The Role

As a foundational member of our fabrication team, you will contribute to and refine the end-to-end process of our superconducting device realization. You will serve as a bridge between materials physics, microwave circuit design, and cryogenic device characterization, working closely with the engineers and physicists on our design and measurement teams to ensure that our superconducting films meet the highest standards of performance, uniformity, and stability, and that our devices provide powerful measurement outcomes for our partners. You will be responsible for optimizing thin film deposition, improving and exploring lithography processes, participating in device design and strategy, managing and conducting sample characterization workflows, and establishing the fabrication recipes that allow our hardware to scale to industrial cleanrooms.

The Impact: Why This Role Matters

This role is at the heart of our technical roadmap and involves a good dose of innovation and exploration as part of our core technical team. By refining our superconducting device properties and addressing the critical challenge of process stability, you ensure that every piece of hardware Qubic produces is consistent, documented, and ready for commercial-grade applications. Your success directly impacts our collective ability to scale, turning lab-bench breakthroughs into a reliable production pipeline.

Deep Dive: Your Responsibilities

Fabrication and Process Optimization

Lead the development and optimization of thin-film deposition processes, controlling material properties such as stress, stoichiometry, grain structure, and thickness uniformity using RF magnetron sputtering, ALD, PECVD, and related deposition systems. Develop and optimize multilayer superconducting device integration processes, resolving interface challenges including adhesion, interdiffusion, unwanted interfacial oxide formation, and film compatibility during sequential processing. Develop and optimize superconducting and dielectric thin films to achieve targeted electrical, microwave, and materials performance, enabling high yield device fabrication. Execute advanced nanofabrication processes including photolithography, electron-beam lithography, thin film deposition, dry etching, wet processing, and lift-off to fabricate superconducting devices. Document and maintain reproducible fabrication processes with an emphasis on process stability, repeatability, yield, and scalability toward large-scale industrial production.

Advanced Metrology and Characterization

Characterize thin films and fabricated devices using optical microscopy, SEM, AFM, profilometry, ellipsometry, XRD, XPS, TEM, and related techniques to validate film quality and device architecture throughout the build process. Establish data driven metrology workflows to monitor process stability, identify sources of variation, and support continuous process improvement. Analyze materials and process data and translate findings into actionable process improvements to reduce recipe drift and increase device yield.

Packaging

Perform device packaging processes, including soldering, wire bonding, die attachment, and connector integration for superconducting microwave devices. Develop and optimize packaging workflows to ensure reliable electrical, mechanical, and thermal performance for cryogenic operation. Collaborate with the design and measurement teams to troubleshoot packaging related issues and improve device reliability and performance.

Lab Collaboration and Mentorship

Translate materials data and fabrication results into actionable insights for interdisciplinary teammates, including device design and device characterization engineers. Provide supportive mentorship and technical training to junior researchers and co-op students to foster a culture of technical excellence, scientific rigour, and cleanroom safety. Maintain an active role in lab governance and stewardship, ensuring the cleanroom remains an organized, documented, and productive environment for all team members. Work closely with design and measurement teams to iteratively improve fabrication processes based on electrical, microwave, and cryogenic characterization results.

What You Bring to the Team

Education and Experience Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related discipline with significant experience in nanofabrication. 3 to 7 years of hands-on cleanroom experience, inclusive of doctoral and industry or post-doctoral research experience. A proven record of contributing to interdisciplinary teams focused on hardware realization and technical performance.

Technical Expertise Extensive hands-on experience with cleanroom fabrication processes, including thin-film deposition, particularly sputtering and/or ALD, plasma and wet etching, multilayer lithography, and integrating steps to form a full fabrication process. Strong expertise in thin-film and materials characterization using tools like SEM, AFM, profilometry, ellipsometry, XRD, XPS, spectroscopy, or related analytical techniques. Experience with device packaging, including wire bonding, soldering, die attachment, and reliable RF interconnect integration. Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, develop fabrication workflows, troubleshoot complex process challenges, document results, and drive technical projects to completion. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative, data-driven approach to problem solving.

Nice to Haves Strong understanding of cleanroom protocols, surface science, thin-film physics, and materials/process interactions relevant to superconducting or microwave devices. Direct experience with superconducting microwave devices, quantum hardware, superconducting detectors, or cryogenic electronics. Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC), design of experiments (DOE), or other data-driven process optimization methodologies. Knowledge of Python or similar languages for data analysis, modelling, and experimental data visualization. Previous experience in an industrial research or startup environment.

The Qubic Environment and Culture You will have regular access to world-class cleanrooms and laboratory facilities. This role involves active cleanroom work, which includes standing and moving within the laboratory environment. We prioritize a supportive and inclusive team culture where knowledge sharing is encouraged, and every member is invested in the team's collective growth. You will work in a creative setting that offers high autonomy and the opportunity to contribute to significant technical breakthroughs.

Within the first 6-to-12 months, you will be integrated into the fabrication team, contributing independently to cleanroom work, supporting task sharing across the team, and helping improve the consistency, documentation, and scalability of Qubic’s nanofabrication processes.

Benefits and Perks Competitive compensation package, including Health and Dental benefits, vacation, and Equity participation through stock options (range is $120,000 to $145,000 CAD). Strategic equity through stock options to ensure you have a stake in our future success. Comprehensive health and dental benefits and lifestyle spending accounts. Standardized vacation tiers starting at 3 to 4 weeks depending on seniority level.

Diversity and Inclusion Qubic is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We focus on securing the best talent for our mission regardless of gender, background, or identity, and we strongly encourage applications from women, people of marginalized genders, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

We provide accommodations in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. This posting is available in French, and proficiency in English is a requirement for this specific role due to the nature of our international collaborations.

About Qubic Inc.

Defense and Space Manufacturing

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