Quantum Research Scientist, AWS Center for Quantum Computing

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Center for Quantum Computing in Pasadena, CA, is looking to hire a Research Scientist with experience in semiconductor process development who will aid in AWS’s effort to bring cloud quantum computing services to its worldwide customer base. You will join a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, and hardware and software engineers working at the forefront of quantum computing. Through your work inside and outside of the cleanroom environment in the fabrication research and development group, you will solve problems related to developing next-generation quantum processors.

Candidates must have a demonstrated background in sound scientific and engineering principles, and must have excellent data analysis, bias for action, problem solving, and communication skills, and be highly motivated and curious to research and learn new technical topics as needed. As a research scientist you will be expected to work on new ideas and stay abreast of novel approaches in fabricating and packaging superconducting quantum processors. Working effectively within a team environment is critical.


Key job responsibilities
Responsibilities include developing novel processes to fabricate high-coherence superconducting qubits; developing advanced 3DI interconnect and routing technologies for integrating superconducting quantum technologies; analyzing inline metrology and electrical test data; writing production standard operating procedures to transfer newly-developed processes to production teams; interacting with project leads to provide feedback that continuously improves different processes.

A day in the life
The candidate will develop novel technologies using micro-/nano-fabrication techniques inside the cleanroom (independently or in collaboration with other scientists and engineers) for next-generation quantum computing. Outside the cleanroom, the candidate will plan experiments, analyze data, and conceive future innovations.

About the team
AWS Utility Computing (UC) provides product innovations — from foundational services such as Amazon’s Simple Storage Service (S3) and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), to consistently released new product innovations that continue to set AWS’s services and features apart in the industry. As a member of the UC organization, you’ll support the development and management of Compute, Database, Storage, Internet of Things (Iot), Platform, and Productivity Apps services in AWS, including support for customers who require specialized security solutions for their cloud services.


Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.

Why AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.

Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Mentorship & Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.

Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

Hybrid Work
We value innovation and recognize this sometimes requires uninterrupted time to focus on a build. We also value in-person collaboration and time spent face-to-face. Our team affords employees options to work in the office every day or in a flexible, hybrid work model near one of our U.S. Amazon offices.
- PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of quantitative field research experience
- Experience investigating the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to business problems and products
- Experience analyzing both experimental and observational data sets
- Ph.D. in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, or a related field in science or engineering
- A demonstrated track record of original, impactful work done micro-/nano-fabrication
- Hands-on experience with electron beam lithography; photolithography (mask or maskless aligners, steppers, and scanners); wafer-level wet/dry etching techniques; wafer cleaning and lift-off techniques; thin film deposition techniques (e.g., PECVD, LPCVD, ALD, evaporation, sputtering, and furnace oxidation); semiconductor and thin film metrology techniques (e.g., AFM, SEM, XPS, EDX, profilometry, reflectometry, and ellipsometry); one or more manufacturing execution systems
- Effective at managing multiple tasks/projects and working independently or within a team environment with other scientists, engineers, and technicians who might have a wide range of technical skill levels - Knowledge of R, MATLAB, Python or similar scripting language
- Experience with agile development
- Experience building web based dashboards using common frameworks
- Familiarity with superconducting quantum computing components, fabrication, and packaging techniques
- 1+ years of relevant industry experience working in a cleanroom environment
- Great problem solving and analytical skills
- Strong verbal, written, and data presentation skills
- Hands-on experience with electroplating; wafer thinning; chemical mechanical polishing; wafer level and flip-chip packaging techniques; temporary and permanent wafer level bonding; 2.5/3D integration schemes
- Experience in performing failure analysis and root cause investigation for process excursions
- Working knowledge of statistical analysis and design of experiments using JMP or minitab
- Experience in yield monitoring, statical process control, and demonstrating process capability

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, Pasadena - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually