Atomic Layer Deposition Engineer III

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
As an Atomic Layer Deposition Engineer III, you will own the development, optimization, and sustainment of ALD processes for advanced solar cell devices. You will design experiments, define and release production-capable recipes, and turn film properties into device performance alongside the device design and integration teams. You'll also mentor junior engineers and technicians, and help scale processes from development into repeatable, qualified operation.

Responsibilities

• Support development and optimization of ALD processes for metal oxide, transport, and barrier films, from initial chemistry selection through recipe release
• Design and run DOE campaigns: define parameter spaces, apply statistical analysis, and turn results into process windows and recipe specifications
• Establish film property requirements (thickness, conformality, composition, barrier performance) together with device design and integration engineers, and connect ALD layer properties to device performance and reliability
• Develop and maintain process control methods, including SPC, control limits, and uniformity and reproducibility metrics across substrates and batches
• Define characterization plans using ellipsometry, profilometry, contact angle, optical spectroscopy, XPS, TEM, and WVTR; interpret results and set up external lab partnerships as needed
• Own reactor qualification, chamber conditioning, and in-situ monitoring (QCM, OES, or ellipsometry), including writing qualification and calibration procedures
• Act as technical lead for root-cause analysis of process excursions and equipment failures (precursor delivery anomalies, pressure transients, heating zone failures), and drive corrective actions to closure
• Write and maintain process specifications, operating procedures, and maintenance procedures; make sure process logs and data systems support traceability
• Lead hazard analysis and safety documentation for pyrophoric, toxic, and corrosive precursors, and act as the area's point of contact for chemical safety and EHS compliance
• Evaluate new precursors, ALD hardware, and deposition approaches (e.g., spatial or plasma-enhanced ALD); write equipment requirements and support capital procurement and vendor selection
• Manage vendor relationships for equipment service, upgrades, and precursor supply, and plan for consumables and supply continuity
• Mentor and direct junior engineers and technicians on equipment operation, experimental methods, and documentation practices
• Present technical results, risks, and recommendations at design reviews and to program leadership

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field with 5+ years of experience in atomic layer deposition or chemical vapor deposition; or M.S. with 3+ years; or Ph.D. with 0–2 years
• Demonstrated independent development of ALD or CVD processes, not only recipe execution
• Deep understanding of ALD fundamentals: self-limiting surface reactions, saturation behavior, growth per cycle, nucleation, and precursor chemistry
• Proficiency with thin-film characterization techniques and with interpreting results to drive process decisions
• Experience designing and analyzing statistically based experiments (DOE) and applying process control methods
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting and maintaining ALD or CVD reactors, including vacuum, gas delivery, and thermal subsystems
• Experience working safely with hazardous chemical precursors, and with writing or reviewing safety procedures
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, including writing specifications and procedures and presenting to technical reviews

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.S. with thesis work focused on ALD process development or surface chemistry
• Experience with metal oxide ALD (Al₂O₃, TiO₂, SnO₂, ZnO, or HfO₂) in device applications
• Experience developing spatial or plasma-enhanced ALD processes
• Experience with in-situ monitoring (QCM, in-situ ellipsometry, OES, mass spectrometry)
• Knowledge of photovoltaic device architectures, especially perovskite or thin-film PV, and of how ALD layers work as transport, passivation, or encapsulation layers
• Experience handling pyrophoric or air-sensitive precursors and setting up safe handling infrastructure
• Experience transferring processes from R&D to pilot or production scale
• Experience mentoring or technically leading engineers or technicians
• Experience with equipment specification, procurement, and installation/qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ)

 

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 [email protected]. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.