Microelectronics Failure Analysis Scientist

Hiring Locations:
California

2310 E. El Segundo Blvd., El Segundo, CA 90245
200 S. Los Robles Ave. Suite 150, Pasadena, CA 91101

Vandenberg Space Force Base
806 13th St. Bldg. 7015, Vandenberg SFB, CA 93437

Utah
Hill Air Force Base
6002 Wardleigh Rd Bldg. 1578, Ste. 200, Hill AFB, UT 84056

Colorado
7250 Getting Heights Colorado Springs, CO 80916
18300 E. Crested Butte Avenue (STOP 49), Buckley SFB, CO 80011
Peterson SPACE Force Base
150 Vandenberg St., Suite 1105, Peterson SFB, CO 80914

New Mexico
2155 Louisiana Blvd. #5000, Albuquerque, NM 87110
2301 Buena Vista Dr. SE, Ste 1100, Albuquerque, NM 87106
Kirtland Air Force Base
3548 Aberdeen Ave SE Bldg 413/Rm 118, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117

Texas
2525 Bay Area Boulevard, Ste. 600 Houston, TX 77058
2101 NASA Road One Johnson Space Center M/C NQ112 Houston, TX 77058

Nebraska
Offutt Air Force Base
101 Nelson Dr. Offutt AFB, NE 68113

Alabama
5030 Bradford Drive, Building 1 Suite 220, Huntsville, Alabama 35805

Ohio
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
4180 Watson Way Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433

Florida
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
15385 Samuel C Phillips Parkway Building 44410, Room 1060, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Maryland
7850 Walker Drive, Suite 300 Patriot Business Park, Greenbelt, MD 20770
1335 East-West Highway SSMC1 6200 Silver Spring, MD 20910
4231 Suitland Road #1225 Suitland, Maryland 20746

Virginia
14745 Lee Road, Chantilly, VA 20151
4851 Stonecroft Blvd, Chantilly, VA

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

Job Summary

Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) supports the effective and timely development and operation of national security systems through scientific research and the application of advanced technologies. PSL has more than 150 specialized laboratories used to test, analyze, and troubleshoot virtually every aspect of rocket and satellite system design, development, construction, deployment, and operation. The expertise of the laboratories’ technical staff allows PSL to stay abreast of new technological developments and program support issues associated with rapidly evolving space systems.

The Microelectronics Technology Department (MTD) is part of PSL with specialized laboratories for testing, accelerating, and analyzing, failures in electronics used for space system. MTD is comprised of two sections: one that performs radiation effects testing and discrete microelectronics testing, while the other section performs failure analysis on microelectronics using tools that can identify anomalies from the macroscopic down to the atomic scale.  MTD is looking for a Microelectronics Failure Analysis Scientist (Senior Member of Technical Staff or Research Scientist – Microelectronics / Semiconductor Engineering) to support investigations of physics of failure in silicon CMOS, III-V devices, and other materials and technologies for space applications.

Highlights of our lab’s capabilities can be seen here: Virtual Tour

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

Provide technical support to national security space programs, internal, and academic collaborators 

Conduct research on microelectronic device technologies for application in space systems, including developing new physical analysis techniques and developing knowledge of hardware security verification

Perform failure analysis and anomaly resolution investigations of integrated circuits and other microelectronic devices using physical analysis techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, focused ion beam, electron beam induced current imaging, laser scanning microscopy, atomic force microscopy, or transmission electron microscopy

Present results of assessments/research internally, to customers, at scientific meetings, and publish research in peer-reviewed scientific journals

Support the adoption and assessment of new technologies and applications, space systems, including technology qualification and assurance

Innovation, velocity, and accountability will primarily be used to assess job performance 

Develop capabilities in circuit & device modeling and materials physics simulation

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for the Senior Member of Technical Staff– Microelectronics / Semiconductor Engineering:

Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry or related fields is required

A minimum of (5) years of progressively responsible professional engineering or scientific experience (graduate school research experience may count toward this requirement), demonstrating a proven track record of technical leadership, innovation, and the ability to solve complex technical challenges is required.

Proficient with the operation of dual beam focused ion beam (FIB) scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS/EDX).

Experience with characterization or fabrication of Si-CMOS and III-V semiconductors

Knowledge of physical analysis and fault isolation techniques such as electron microscopy, thermal imaging, focused ion beam, scanning transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM), or electron beam induced current (EBIC) imaging

Experience with Python/ MATLAB or similar software for data collection/analysis and simulation

Willing to travel domestically up to 10% of the year to customer site/ conferences (as needed)

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for Research Scientist – Microelectronics / Semiconductor Engineering include:

A minimum of (8) years of progressively responsible professional engineering or scientific experience (graduate school research experience may count toward this requirement), demonstrating a proven track record of technical leadership, innovation, and the ability to solve complex technical challenges is required.

Project management experience with demonstrated leadership of projects or programs is required

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

Strong publication record and demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative research projects, especially those related to microelectronics, is preferred

Proficiency with FIB-Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (FIB-ToF-SIMS)

Hands-on expertise in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and related techniques including diffractive 4D-STEM and EELS

Advanced skills in electron beam backscattered diffraction (EBSD), transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD), SEM electron beam induced current (EBIC), STEM-EBIC, and related fault isolation techniques

Working knowledge of cryogenic SEM-related techniques and cathodoluminescence

Demonstrated capability with automated FIB operations including TEM sample preparation, serial cross-sectioning, 3D EBSD, circuit editing, and integrated circuit delayering

Familiarity with e-beam lithography

Background in Li-ion battery materials, including sample preparation and microscopy/mass spectroscopy characterization

Technical knowledge of semiconductor integrated circuit layout and design, including PDK, DRC, DFM, VLSI architecture, BEOL technologies, and 3D/advanced chip packaging techniques is highly desired

Programming skills in VHDL/Verilog/FPGA/microprocessor environments

An active TS/SCI  clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, is strongly preferred. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min – Max)

$110,400.00 – $193,500.00
Pay Basis: Annual
Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

Operate Strategically
Lead Change  
Engage with Impact  
Foster Innovation  
Deliver Results
Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

Flexible spending accounts

Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

Relocation assistance

Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

Education assistance programs

An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.