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.

About us

Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is a top research center for Electronics and Software Based Systems (ESBS). At three locations (Graz, Villach, Linz), SAL is conducting research along the entire ESBS value chain in the areas of sensor systems, power electronics, intelligent wireless systems, microsystems and embedded systems to develop future-oriented solutions for industrial production, health, energy, mobility, safety and more. SAL brings together key players from industry, science and research and thus valuable expertise and know-how and conducts cooperative, application-oriented research along the value chain. Cooperative projects are co-financed by SAL and enable a fast and unbureaucratic project start. SAL is thus shaping the high-tech location Austria and Europe and developing the future 
 

Innovation is our top priority and so are our employees. We are a family-friendly company and support the compatibility of work and family as much as possible. That is why we have been awarded the Work and Family Certificate until 2026. But we are constantly working on new measures to offer our employees an environment where they feel good, healthy and motivated.

You want to get more SAL insights?