The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Center for Quantum Computing (CQC) in Pasadena, CA, is looking to hire an Equipment Engineer who will aid in AWS’s effort to bring cloud quantum computing services to its worldwide customer base. The candidate will work in a cleanroom environment alongside research scientists and process engineers, keeping complex semiconductor fabrication & characterization equipment in working order. Responsibilities include troubleshooting equipment-related issues, performing preventative maintenance and calibrations, interacting with vendors during the installation of new equipment and scheduled repairs, making self-guided & team-guided improvements to the lab infrastructure, and taking the lead on aspects of our overall equipment health program. The facility is focused on research and development, which utilizes equipment ranging from ICP-RIE etchers, to various material deposition tools, to advanced characterization instruments, most of which are classified as vacuum systems. The candidate will evaluate and develop procedures that provide maximum tool up-time for wafer processing and characterization while maintaining the equipment at optimal performance. Candidates must have a demonstrated background in fundamental engineering principles and must have excellent problem solving and communication skills. Successful candidates will have prior experience working in an academic or industrial fabrication facility, or similar. Working effectively within a team environment is critical.

Key job responsibilities
An Equipment Engineer troubleshoots problems related to equipment and other lab infrastructure, then devises and documents the solutions such that the problems can be more easily solved the next time they occur. When necessary, the Equipment Engineer works with field service engineers from the company that manufactured the equipment, scheduling service calls and supervising & documenting those engineers' work in our labs. The Equipment Engineer is responsible for improving the up-time of equipment, which involves developing and executing better preventative maintenance plans, devising new mechanisms for tracking parts and service, performing equipment calibrations, implementing new equipment-tracking initiatives in our manufacturing execution system (MES), and obsessing over the details of the equipment such that it can operate at peak performance. The Equipment Engineer assists with the development and implementation of custom hardware modifications and new lab upgrades. The Equipment Engineer has ownership of equipment and lab spaces and is responsible for the reliable, excellent performance of our labs and everything that operates within it.

A day in the life
The Equipment Engineer performs a daily morning lab walkthrough to assess the state of their assigned lab areas and equipment. Based on priorities set by the team, the engineer works on solving new problems or existing problems from the previous day. Preventative maintenance checks and/or calibrations are performed according to a schedule. When time permits and there aren't problems to solve that are limiting team productivity, projects centered around the improvement of equipment and lab spaces are undertaken. In all aspects of the work, documentation of notes, procedures, fixes, and projects is pivotal. The engineer's goal is to maximize equipment up-time and performance so their teammates can operate the equipment reliably, and the whole team can deliver fabricated devices for quantum computing experiments.

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 the operation of a suite of fabrication and characterization equipment. Equipment Engineers work to maintain and improve the equipment – and the labs in which the equipment is installed – and work alongside Process Engineers and Research Scientists to help deliver fabricated devices for quantum computing experiments.

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Utility Computing (UC)
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- 4+ years of working in mechanical engineering or equivalent experience
- Experience with maintaining and servicing fabrication and/or characterization equipment
- Experience using common lab tools for troubleshooting (e.g., multimeters, oscilloscopes, etc.)

- Master's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent
- Knowledge of SolidWorks simulation or Ansys Finite Element analysis tools
- Experience with vacuum, high vacuum, and/or ultra-high vacuum systems
- Excellent problem solving, analytical, writing and communication skills
- Curiosity and capability to rapidly research and learn new tools, techniques and technical topics
- Self-starter with excellent organizational skills

Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, 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.

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Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $105,600/year in our lowest geographic market up to $185,000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.