Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Researcher - Senior Engineer

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed. At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! This role is part of Advanced Concepts and Enterprise Engineering (ACE), supporting Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. The team fosters innovation and drives engineering workflows of the future, shared solutions and standards, simplicity and lower costs, and manufacturable design.

Mission

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We're working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight!

About the Role You will lead the development of ALD processes for multiple critical layers in the perovskite solar cell stack: ultra-thin barrier layers for moisture and oxygen protection, conformal charge transport layers, and interface passivation coatings. You will own precursor chemistry selection, process recipe development, conformality optimization, and integration with adjacent process steps.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize ALD processes for barrier layers, charge transport layers, and passivation interlayers
• Select and qualify ALD precursor chemistries compatible with perovskite device stacks
• Optimize ALD process parameters (pulse times, purge sequences, substrate temperature, plasma vs. thermal) for film quality, conformality, and throughput
• Characterize thin film properties: thickness, density, composition, barrier performance (WVTR), electrical properties, and optical properties
• Design and execute experiments to understand nucleation on perovskite and organic surfaces
• Integrate layers into full device stacks without damaging temperature-sensitive perovskite layers
• Mentor and direct the work of associate researchers
• Collaborate with the packaging engineer on thin-film encapsulation strategies
• Develop process documentation, equipment maintenance schedules, and precursor management protocols

Minimum Qualifications

• B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in ALD or CVD process development for semiconductor, photovoltaic, or barrier applications
• Expert knowledge of ALD reaction mechanisms, surface chemistry, and growth kinetics for metal oxides
• Demonstrated experience with thermal, plasma-enhanced ALD, or CVD processes
• Hands-on experience with ALD or CVD reactor operation, maintenance, and precursor delivery systems
• Proficiency with thin film characterization (ellipsometry, XRD, XRR, SEM, TEM, XPS, WVTR

... For full info follow application link.ITAR RequirementsTo conform to U.S. Government commercial space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawfully admitted for permanent residence into the U.S. (i.e. current green card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. § 1157-1158. Learn more about the ITAR here. Equal Employment OpportunityBlue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, 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, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. 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, gender, 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. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here and here.Affirmative Action and Disability AccommodationApplicants wishing to view a copy of 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.