Staff Process Engineer, Thin Film Deposition, Terafab

What To Expect Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI are partnering to launch the most epic chip-building effort ever – combining logic, memory, and advanced packaging under one roof. Terafab will close the gap between today's chip production and the future's demand – a future among the stars.

The team is seeking a Staff Process Engineer to own and optimize thin-film deposition processes for semiconductor and functional materials applications. You will be responsible for developing, characterizing, and scaling deposition processes across PVD, CVD, PECVD, and ALD platforms, translating materials requirements into robust, manufacturable process recipes. Working closely with materials scientists and device engineers, you will combine hands-on equipment expertise with a strong understanding of film growth mechanisms and process-structure-property relationships. This position requires up to 20% domestic travel.

What You'll Do

Develop and optimize thin-film deposition processes (PVD, CVD, PECVD, ALD, sputtering) for semiconductor and functional materials

Design and execute DOE (Design of Experiments) to establish process windows and identify critical process parameters

Characterize deposited films using standard metrology (ellipsometry, profilometry, XRD, SEM, AFM) and correlate process conditions to film properties

Troubleshoot deposition equipment issues, maintain process tools, and coordinate with equipment vendors on upgrades and maintenance

Collaborate with other process, module, integration, reliability engineers to develop a working device

Collaborate with materials engineers to qualify new target materials, precursors, and process chemistries

Develop process documentation, standard operating procedures, and statistical process control (SPC) frameworks

Support technology transfer from R&D to pilot production, ensuring process reproducibility and yield targets are met

Contribute to the development of in-line metrology and process monitoring strategies

What You'll Bring

Degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience

5+ years of hands-on experience with thin-film deposition tools and processes in a cleanroom or fab environment with strong understanding of film growth mechanisms, nucleation, and microstructure evolution

Experience with DOE methodology, statistical analysis tools (JMP, Minitab, or equivalent), and proficiency in standard thin-film metrology techniques

Experience in collaborative optimization with other module, integration and/or reliability engineers

Strong problem-solving skills and systematic approach to process debugging

Experience with reactive sputtering, plasma-enhanced CVD, or plasma-enhanced ALD is preferred

Familiarity with vacuum system design, plasma diagnostics, or in-situ monitoring is a plus

Experience scaling processes from R&D to manufacturing volumes is a plus

Ability to travel up to 20%

Benefits Compensation and Benefits Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction

Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits

Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution

Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA

Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits

Company paid Basic Life, AD&D

Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)

Employee Assistance Program

Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays

Back-up childcare and parenting support resources

Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance

Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs

Tesla Babies program

Commuter benefits

Employee discounts and perks program

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