R&D Process Engineer - Thin Film Deposition (all genders) // Job-ID: 226-1

VILLACH

Full-time

Permanent employee

Your future responsibilities

The SAL MicroFab is looking for a motivated R&D Process Engineer with focus on Thin Film deposition to join the team.

As an R&D Process Engineer, you will take on challenging and responsible tasks with corresponding decision-making scope. You will work independently across all required activities, continuously expand your skill set, and contribute to the growing success of the team.

Your tasks include:

Develop, monitor, and optimize thin film deposition processes (primarily sputtering) to support R&D and prototype fabrication.
Maintain tool health and stability through performance tracking, SPC monitoring, and preventive maintenance coordination.
Support researcher use of deposition tools, ensuring safe operation, consistent process quality, and compliance with FAB standards.
Lead and assist in tool upgrades, process capability improvements, and new equipment evaluation or acquisition.
Document process parameters, tool performance, and experiment outcomes to ensure traceability and knowledge sharing.
Serve as the technical interface between the fabrication team and research groups to enable efficient process development and experimentation.

Your profile

Master’s degree (Bachelor's degree with equivalent relevant experience) in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
Minimum 3 years of experience as a deposition process engineer in an industrial semiconductor FAB; 5+ years preferred.
Hands-on experience with sputter deposition tools (PVD) and thin-film process optimization.
Proven experience with methodologies - process control, SPC, Problem Solving, CIP, Lean, equipment maintenance principles, etc.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a research-driven environment supporting multiple stakeholders.
Excellent teamwork, communication, reporting, and organizational skills.
Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic R&D setting.
Willingness to relocate to Villach, Austria.

Important Facts about SAL

Diverse research activities with many technical challenges.
State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment.
Location in the heart of Europe in Austria
Internal and external training opportunities for career development.
Home office in Austria (max. 40%) and work from anywhere in the European Union possible (< 25%).
Family & children friendly - actively shaping the compatibility of family and career.
“Vital4SAL” to promote a healthy workplace (e.g. SAL coaching pool, trainings on mental health, physical activities, healthy snacks, 24/7 accident insurance)
€ 4 per day meal allowance in restaurants or € 2 per working day in supermarkets.
Public transport initiative (subsidy for the “Klimaticket”)
Our values: Open door policy, flexibility in working hours, casual dress code, diverse teams, working with people of different nationalities, informal communication, lifelong learning, compatibility of family and career, sustainability, personal growth, and collective advancement.

This position is subject to the Collective Agreement for employees in non-university research (Research CA) starting in occupational group E. We offer competitive salaries and additional benefits based on your experience and qualifications. For this position, your minimum monthly salary starts with EUR 3.963, paid 14 times a year.

Über uns

Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (SAL) ist Österreichs Spitzenforschungszentrum für elektronikbasierte Systeme – sie sind das technologische Rückgrat der Digitalisierung. An den Standorten Graz, Villach und Linz wird in den Bereichen Sensor Systems, Power Electronics, Intelligent Wireless Systems, Microsystems und Embedded Systems an zukunftsweisenden Lösungen für Umweltschutz, Gesundheit, Energie, Mobilität und Sicherheit geforscht. SAL bringt dabei wesentliche Akteure aus Industrie und Wissenschaft und damit wertvolle Expertise und Know-how zusammen und betreibt kooperative, anwendungsorientierte Forschung entlang der Wertschöpfungskette. Kooperative Projekte werden von SAL kofinanziert und ermöglichen einen unbürokratischen und schnellen Projektstart. Damit gestaltet SAL den Hochtechnologiestandort Österreich und Europa und entfaltet die Zukunft.

Innovation steht bei uns an erster Stelle, und das gilt auch für unsere Mitarbeiter*innen. Wir sind ein familienfreundliches Unternehmen und unterstützen die Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie so weit wie möglich. Deshalb sind wir bis 2026 mit dem Zertifikat "Beruf und Familie" ausgezeichnet worden. Aber wir arbeiten ständig an neuen Maßnahmen, um unseren Mitarbeitern ein Umfeld zu bieten, in dem sie sich wohlfühlen, gesund und motiviert sind.

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