Nanophotonics Engineer in Abingdon

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. The Company’s three core products are Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world; Lens Studio, an augmented reality platform that powers AR across Snapchat and other services; and its AR glasses, Spectacles.

The Spectacles team is pushing the boundaries of technology to bring people closer together in the real world. Our fifth-generation Spectacles, powered by Snap OS, showcase how standalone, see-through AR glasses make playing, learning, and working better together. Snapchat is a camera and messaging app that connects people to their friends and the world. Every day around the globe, millions of people use Snapchat to communicate with friends, build relationships, play, and learn. No matter where you are or how you express yourself, it’s always the fastest way to share a moment!

What You’ll Do:

• Drive the development of III–V epitaxy technologies to enable new innovations and next-generation devices.
• Lead day-to-day epitaxy operations, including process planning, recipe optimization, growth execution, and materials characterization using tools such as XRD, PL, CL, EL, SEM, AFM, and surface defectivity assessments.
• Contribute directly to the epitaxial technology roadmap, aligning short- and long-term R&D objectives with overall business goals.
• Conduct process testing, data analysis, and quality assurance, ensuring continuous improvement in epitaxial performance, uniformity, and yield.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams including Process Engineering, Equipment Engineering, Characterisation & Test, Facilities, and Shift Engineers to achieve project milestones.
• Participate in continuous improvement and process optimization initiatives to enhance productivity, uniformity, repeatability, and cost efficiency.
• Contribute to strategic IP development and patents.
• Ensure compliance with cleanroom protocols and safety regulations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proven hands-on experience with MOCVD systems, epitaxial growth processes, and materials characterization.
• Good understanding of equipment design, preventive maintenance, and scrubber systems, as well as analytical tools such as XRD, PL, CL, EL, SEM, and AFM.
• Strong technical foundation in R&D process development and high-technology manufacturing environments (e.g., III–V semiconductors, optoelectronics, or display technologies).
• Ability to interpret complex experimental data, troubleshoot process issues, and drive systematic improvements.
• Excellent teamwork, documentation, and communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Extensive experience with hands-on epitaxy R&D or manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record of designing complex DOEs and executing structured experiments in MOCVD systems.
• Experience in failure analysis, defect classification, and quality management techniques/tools.
• Experience in photonics applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline.
• Highly experienced with hands-on experience in R&D or high-volume manufacturing involving III–V materials.
• Proven track record in mass production process development, yield improvement, and throughput optimization.
• Awareness of the competitive and technology landscape within the III–V landscape.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please don’t be shy and provide us some information. Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. EOE, including disability/vets.

Our benefits include paid parental leave, comprehensive medical coverage, emotional and mental health support programs, and compensation packages that let you share in Snap’s long-term success.