Senior Materials and Surface Science Engineer

Job Description About usnEye.ai, a well-funded optical switch startup, is poised to revolutionize the future of data centers. nEye's MEMS-based silicon photonics optical circuit switches (OCS) eliminate critical bottlenecks in AI processing by enabling direct optical connections among thousands of GPUs and memory units. The company's OCS is an ultra-low power consumption, high radix, compact chip-scale design, offering hyperscale data centers enhanced performance, efficiency, and scalability.Job Overview We are looking for a senior individual contributor with deep expertise in materials science and surface chemistry as it applies to semiconductor fabrication and optical systems.This role is critical to understanding and improving how fabrication processes at the material and interface level impact optical performance in our silicon photonics devices.You will work across design, process, and test to analyze, diagnose, and improve material interfaces, thin films, and surface interactions that directly affect device behavior, reliability, and yield.Key Responsibilities Investigate how surface chemistry and material interfaces in silicon-based photonic and MEMS material systems impact performanceAnalyze effects of etching, deposition, oxidation, and plasma processes on surface states, morphology, and optical mechanismsPartner with design and process teams to translate material-level insights into improved device performance and manufacturabilityLead investigations connecting fabrication outcomes to device-level optical and mechanical performanceDesign and interpret experiments involving thin films, interfaces, and surface treatments (e.g., passivation, cleaning, annealing)Collaborate with fabrication partners on process evaluation and optimizationUtilize and guide characterization efforts using techniques such as SEM, TEM, AFM, XPS, ellipsometry, SIMS, etc.Develop models or frameworks that connect process to material properties and optical outcomesRequired Qualifications PhD in Materials Science, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field7 - 15+ years of experience in semiconductor, photonics, or adjacent advanced materials environmentsDeep understanding of surface chemistry and interface physics in semiconductor systemsExpertise in dielectric and semiconductor thin films and metallization.Strong knowledge of plasma processes, etching, deposition, oxidation, and their impact on materialsStrong intuition for how material properties affect optical phenomenaExperience working in or closely with semiconductor fabs / foundriesHands-on experience with failure analysis and materials characterization techniquesNice to Have Skills Direct experience with silicon photonics or optical devicesFamiliarity with waveguides, optical interfaces, or photonic integrationExperience in MEMS fabrication or integrationBackground in process development or integration engineeringExposure to modeling optical-material interactionsStarting salary and title will depend on, and be commensurate with, relevant industry experience, skills, training, education, market demands, and the ultimate job duties and requirements. nEye.ai is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.