Hardware Development Engineer, Thin Films, Fabrication, AWS CQC
Amazon · Pasadena, CA · Hardware Development
mid
software engineering
Hardware Engineer
ic
· Posted Apr 1, 2026
$126,300 – $164,800
USD per year
Skills
The Center for Quantum Computing (CQC) is seeking a superconducting thin film engineer. The CQC is a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technicians, on a mission to develop a fault-tolerant quantum computer. We are looking to hire a hardware development engineer with superconducting thin film deposition and complementary fabrication experience. The engineer will be focused on thin films deposition to support fabrication and studies of Josephson Junction elements, superconducting resonators, 3D integration components (like superconducting bumps) and other critical elements of superconducting circuits. The position is on-site at our lab, located on the in Pasadena, CA. The ideal candidate will have had prior experience depositing superconducting films and studying blanket film and fabricated device performance. We are looking for candidates with strong engineering principles, resourcefulness and a data driven approach. Organization and communication skills are essential.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred 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.
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.
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 (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and 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.
Key job responsibilities
* Own thermal evaporation processes used for superconducting metals
* Deep dive into the hardware, process and physics related to Josephson Junctions or metal-insulator-metal fabrication
* Hands-on production support of deposition processes used to fabricate superconducting circuit elements such as indium bumps, airbridges, resonators etc
* Lead process control of deposition processes
* Devise experiments and provide recommendations for improvement of fabrication processes.
* Communicate findings with colleagues by way of crisp documentation and presentations.
A day in the life
The role will be vital to the fabrication team and quantum computing device integration mechanism. The candidate will provide drive improvement of the superconducting thin film deposition area that involve thermal deposition, physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition processes. The candidate will work with other scientists and engineers in fabricating superconducting devices. This role is flexible but is mainly 2nd shift. The position may require occasional weekend work.
About the team
Our team is comprised of scientists and engineers who are building hardware that enables quantum computing technologies. Doing that requires the fabrication of quantum devices, which necessitates staying close to the details and analyzing data while building tools to better understand the data.
- Experience with prototyping and implementation
- 2+ years of post PhD experience experience
- PhD, or Master's degree in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, or an equivalent degree in a similar field
- 4+ years cleanroom experience in the thermal evaporation of superconducting metal and other materials
- Experience working on vacuum hardware systems used for thin film deposition
- Experience in thin films characterization (e.g. AFM, SEM, XPS, XRD, EDX, profilometry, reflectometry, and ellipsometry)
- Experience in the design of complex mechanical products and equipment at volume
- 4+ years in sputtering, CVD, PECVD, LPCVD, ALD, evaporation, sputtering, and furnace oxidation
- Experience in fabrication and study of Josephson Junctions
- Experience in fabrication of resonators, indium bumps and other components relevant to superconducting circuits
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.
USA, CA, Pasadena - 126,300.00 - 164,800.00 USD annually
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred 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.
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.
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 (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and 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.
Key job responsibilities
* Own thermal evaporation processes used for superconducting metals
* Deep dive into the hardware, process and physics related to Josephson Junctions or metal-insulator-metal fabrication
* Hands-on production support of deposition processes used to fabricate superconducting circuit elements such as indium bumps, airbridges, resonators etc
* Lead process control of deposition processes
* Devise experiments and provide recommendations for improvement of fabrication processes.
* Communicate findings with colleagues by way of crisp documentation and presentations.
A day in the life
The role will be vital to the fabrication team and quantum computing device integration mechanism. The candidate will provide drive improvement of the superconducting thin film deposition area that involve thermal deposition, physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition processes. The candidate will work with other scientists and engineers in fabricating superconducting devices. This role is flexible but is mainly 2nd shift. The position may require occasional weekend work.
About the team
Our team is comprised of scientists and engineers who are building hardware that enables quantum computing technologies. Doing that requires the fabrication of quantum devices, which necessitates staying close to the details and analyzing data while building tools to better understand the data.
Basic Qualifications
- 4+ years of working in mechanical engineering or equivalent experience- Experience with prototyping and implementation
- 2+ years of post PhD experience experience
- PhD, or Master's degree in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, or an equivalent degree in a similar field
- 4+ years cleanroom experience in the thermal evaporation of superconducting metal and other materials
- Experience working on vacuum hardware systems used for thin film deposition
- Experience in thin films characterization (e.g. AFM, SEM, XPS, XRD, EDX, profilometry, reflectometry, and ellipsometry)
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of SolidWorks simulation or Ansys Finite Element analysis tools- Experience in the design of complex mechanical products and equipment at volume
- 4+ years in sputtering, CVD, PECVD, LPCVD, ALD, evaporation, sputtering, and furnace oxidation
- Experience in fabrication and study of Josephson Junctions
- Experience in fabrication of resonators, indium bumps and other components relevant to superconducting circuits
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 - 126,300.00 - 164,800.00 USD annually