layiq

/la·yiq/adjective

worthy; deserving; fitting; suitable.

A role, opportunity, or path that merits attention, time, and pursuit.

Physical Vapor Deposition Researcher — Lead Engineer at Blue Origin | LAYIQ

Develop and optimize PVD processes (thermal evaporation, co-evaporation, sputtering) for perovskite absorber layers, charge-transport layers, and transparent conductive oxides (TCOs)
Drive innovation for new processes to improve device performance
Design deposition recipes for different materials (e.g. multi-source co-evaporation recipes) for film deposition.
Specify, commission, and qualify vacuum deposition equipment for perovskite-specific requirements (source types, substrate heating, in-situ monitoring)
Develop in-situ process monitoring and feedback control strategies (QCM, optical reflectometry, residual gas analysis)
Establish statistical process control (SPC) for critical film properties such as thickness uniformity, composition, crystallinity, resistivity, surface roughness
Lead DOE campaigns to map process-structure-property relationships and define robust process windows
Collaborate with the team to translate layer specifications into deposition recipes with appropriate tolerances
Mentor and direct the work of 2 associate deposition researchers
Develop and maintain process documentation, equipment maintenance protocols, and safety procedures for vacuum systems
Analyze film characterization data (XRD, SEM, AFM, XPS, ellipsometry) to correlate process parameters with film quality
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related field
5+ years of experience in vacuum thin-film deposition for photovoltaic, semiconductor, or optoelectronic applications
Expert-level knowledge of thermal evaporation and/or sputtering process physics (nucleation, growth kinetics, film stress, morphology control)
Demonstrated experience with multi-source co-evaporation or sequential deposition of multi-component films
Hands-on experience with vacuum system design, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance (load-locks, cryo/turbo pumps, source design)
Proficiency with thin-film characterization techniques (XRD, SEM, profilometry, ellipsometry, 4-point probe)

Direct experience with vapor-deposited perovskite films (co-evaporation of organic halides and metal halides)
Experience with hybrid sequential deposition methods (vapor-assisted solution processing)
Knowledge of TCO deposition (ITO, FTO, AZO) by sputtering for photovoltaic applications
Experience with in-situ optical monitoring or spectroscopic ellipsometry during growth
Experience managing or mentoring junior researchers in a lab environment
Familiarity with perovskite degradation mechanisms and how deposition conditions affect stability
Familiarity with degradation of perovskite solar cells in the outer space environment
Publication record in vacuum-deposited perovskite or related thin-film PV technologies
Track record of scaling deposition processes from small-area R&D to larger substrate formats
Base Pay Range for: WA applicants is $121,023.00 - $169,432.20
Other site ranges may differ
Culture Statement
Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Export Control Regulations
Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
Background Check
Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here .
Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation
Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com . Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.

Physical Vapor Deposition Researcher — Lead Engineer

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