We are recruiting for a talented and experienced Microfabrication Engineer to help develop a novel sensing platform for environmental monitoring.
As a Microfabrication Engineer, you will develop the core optical microcavity sensing element of Mode Labs’ sensing platform. You will utilise Mode Labs’ existing fabrication processes and research new techniques to streamline, improve and reduce costs of our fabrication processes. You will work to integrate these optical components into a consumable flow cell within Mode Labs’ sensing platform. You will be working within an interdisciplinary team of engineers developing our first commercial product.
Within the technical team, you will:
§ Fabricate the core optical microcavity components of the Mode Labs sensor using an in-house developed process using focused ion beam (FIB) systems.
§ Optimise micro-patterning designs and specify optical coating processes.
§ Optimise the FIB fabrication processes and streamline the supply of this core optical component.
§ Liaise with external vendors to set up and validate downstream processing of fabricated components.
§ Work with other engineers to seamlessly integrate the sensor into an optical flow cell.
§ Provide expertise in microfluidics and integrating fluids into optical systems.
§ Work on early-stage development of novel methods to fabricate optical microcavities.
§ Provide technical and commercial assessments of new fabrication assessments to the wider technical team.
§ This role may require some travel to vendor locations to assess processes and manage on-going processes.
We aim to build a diverse, collaborative and cross-functional team with a passion for root-cause analysis and solving complex technical problems. We are looking for experienced hires with a high level of technical and practical experience within the product development space. Backgrounds in the development of analytical, optical and/or microfluidic instruments is desirable.
Requirements
You will have a technical background in microfabrication/ clean room fabrication processes with a higher (PhD, EngD or equivalent) degree or equivalent industrial experience in physical or material sciences (or related fields) who will thrive working as part of a small passionate team.
You will be able to demonstrate that you have most of the following (essential experience):
§ Several years of relevant experience, ideally in industrial research and development environments.
§ Hands-on experience using complex microfabrication systems, e.g. Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling, lithography, laser ablation processes, nanoimprinting systems, nanoindentation systems.
§ Knowledge of vapor deposition and optical coating processes.
§ Experience of working within clean room environments.
§ Experience in process development and optimising fabrication processes.
§ Hands-on experience with metrology tools for QC/QA of micron scale components.
§ Experience of optical flow cell design/ packaging.
§ Knowledge of CAD (SolidWorks, Inventor) and programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Python).
§ Demonstration of experimental and data analysis skills.
Senior positions may be considered for those who also have (additional experience):
§ Direct hands-on experience with FIB-SEM systems.
§ Appreciable experience in the hands-on development of analytical instruments, microfluidic systems or optical-based measurement techniques.
§ Hands-on experience integrating/ packaging optical components, light sources and photodetectors into small designs.
§ Analytical instrument design and operation knowledge.
§ Experience in opto-mechanical design and assembly
§ Experience working in an SME/ Start-up environment.
Benefits
Salary:
Salary will be dependent upon level of skill and experience. We therefore anticipate the following:
§ £44k – £50k for applicants with experience working within a research or technical environment with the essential experience required.
§ £50k – £56k for applicants who can also demonstrate the additional experience listed above.
Other Benefits:
§ Employee share option scheme
§ Optional 9-day fortnight work pattern
§ Flexible working arrangements where possible
§ 25 days paid leave and bank holidays
§ Annual discretionary training allowance
§ Company matched pension contributions up to 5%.
§ Travel to work loan scheme
These roles are advertised as full-time, however, part-time would be considered at a minimum of 0.8 FTE. We are pleased to accommodate flexible and hybrid working where appropriate but, as a small company focussed on technology development, we find hands-on system and collaboration time to be highly valuable, so encourage time spent in the office and expect this when required.
-------------------------------
Job Closing Date : Until position is filled. Applications will be reviewed as received so this vacancy may be closed earlier; early applications are therefore encouraged.
Interview Dates : Starting 6th January 2025
Interview Process : Initial telephone/ video calls will be used for shortlisting candidates. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person interview. The in-person interview may include a short technical assessment based on the above job description or a short presentation of previous experience. Candidates will be informed in advance of this.
-------------------------------
Our Company
Mode Labs, a spin-out from the University of Oxford, are developing an innovative remote autonomous chemical sensor platform to address the growing need to understand and monitor the world around us.
As part of our initial mission, Mode Labs are targeting the development of a remotely deployable sensor to act within the water quality market and address the unmet and growing needs of environmental legislation across the country and beyond. Our Vision is to bring chemical understanding outside of the laboratory, delivering clear and concise measurement data where it is needed most. Precision sensing, anytime, anywhere.