Sr. Materials Engineer, Functional Thin Films, Terafab

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Sr. Materials Engineer, Functional Thin Films, Terafab

| Job Category | Terafab | | Location | AUSTIN, Texas | | Req. ID | 274113 | | Job Type | Full-time |

What to Expect

Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI are partnering to launch the most epic chip-building effort ever – combining logic, memory, and advanced packaging under one roof. Terafab will close the gap between today's chip production and the future's demand – a future among the stars.

The team is seeking a Thin Film Functional Materials Engineer to develop and optimize advanced ceramic and functional thin-film materials for semiconductor and energy applications. You will work at the intersection of ceramics science, thin-film processing, and device integration, developing materials with tailored electrical, thermal, optical, or mechanical properties. This role requires a strong foundation in ceramic materials science and hands-on experience with thin-film synthesis and characterization. This position requires up to 20% domestic travel.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and characterize novel functional thin films (e.g., ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, dielectrics, others) for semiconductor and device applications
• Optimize thin-film synthesis routes including sol-gel, chemical solution deposition, PVD, and ALD for compositions
• Investigate structure-property relationships in polycrystalline and epitaxial thin films through systematic characterization
• Collaborate with process engineers to integrate functional ceramic layers into multilayer device stacks
• Perform electrical, optical, and mechanical characterization of thin films (impedance spectroscopy, nanoindentation, piezoresponse force microscopy)
• Evaluate phase stability, crystallization kinetics, and texture evolution in films as a function of processing conditions
• Contribute to materials selection and qualification for new product development programs
• Document experimental results and present findings to cross-functional technical teams

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field with emphasis on functional ceramics or thin-film materials, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in thin-film development, processing, or characterization
• Strong knowledge of crystal chemistry, phase equilibria, and crystallization behavior in thin-film geometries
• Hands-on experience with at least two thin-film deposition techniques (PVD, CVD, etc.)
• Proficiency in XRD, SEM, and electrical characterization of films
• Understanding of device integration requirements and compatibility constraints for layers
• Experience with lead-free piezoelectrics, high-k dielectrics, or solid-state ionics is preferred
• Familiarity with computational thermodynamics (CALPHAD) or combinatorial thin-film synthesis methods is a plus
• Ability to travel up to 20%

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

• Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction

• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits

• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution

• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA

• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits

• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays

• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources

• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance

• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs

• Tesla Babies program

• Commuter benefits

• Employee discounts and perks program

• Tesla is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

• Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

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