Nanofabrication & Metasurfaces Scientist

The scientific responsibility

Translate a justified optical design into repeatable structures. Tie fabrication tolerances to scattering and momentum predictions instead of optimizing appearance alone.

Technical depth we are looking for

Lithography; etching; thin films; gratings; metasurface design; SEM/AFM characterization; yield and process control.

We expect research-level command of the relevant physics and methods, plus the ability to explain assumptions to adjacent specialists. A doctorate or equivalent demonstrated achievement is appropriate; the evidence of your work matters more than a particular institution.

Evidence to bring

A fabricated structure with measured geometry and optical response compared with its design, including process variation.

Provide public or authorized links and distinguish your individual contribution from the team’s work. Include a failure, correction or negative result that improved your judgment. Do not send confidential material.

Your first design assignment

Evaluate a grating or patterned-surface design against a simpler commercial baseline and identify which fabrication tolerances change the conclusion.

This is a proposed priority after appointment, not an unpaid application assignment. The exact scope follows funding, access to appropriate facilities and an agreed work plan.

The failure mode you must be able to expose

An ideal unit-cell simulation that ignores finite aperture, defects, substrate loss or manufacturing variation.

A concrete first deliverable

A process-aware design, tolerance budget, inspection plan and acceptance test.

Acceptance should be based on inspectable records, stated limitations and independent technical review. A positive propulsion result is not a prerequisite for useful scientific work.

A question for our technical conversation

What evidence would justify custom fabrication over an available reference optic?

Appointment and compensation

This is a proposed capability profile within the model & materials program. Selected full-time founding appointments are proposed at USD $1M starting annual base salary with a USD $10M+ milestone bonus opportunity, subject to secured funding and signed terms. Location, benefits, start date and exact scope remain to be agreed. Read the complete compensation framework.