Semiconductor Device Modeling Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers – ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other — often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned by IBM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

HRL Laboratories advances critical structural and functional materials and semiconductor devices that enable precision navigation, quantum technologies and extreme-environment performance. With expertise from design through deployment, we deliver scalable, high-performance solutions that transform our customers’ missions. Our work leverages digital manufacturing and scalable microfabrication techniques to meet tomorrow’s toughest challenges.

HRL Laboratories is looking for a creative and motivated device modeling engineer to join a world-class team of scientists and engineers developing next-generation technologies. In this role, you will push on the frontier of understanding quantum control and transport in semiconductor devices, working in tight feedback loops with fabrication and test efforts. You will utilize both commercial and proprietary device simulation tools to model state-of-the-art electronic technologies like FinFETs and gate-all-around transistors, as well as design and analyze a variety of other classical and quantum nanodevices, including semiconductor spin qubits. Particular areas of focus include understanding semiclassical and quantum transport, electrostatic integrity, and response to device stressors such as heat and strain to predict and optimize performance and interpret experimental data. 

Required Skills:

•    Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline
•    Experience with commercial semiconductor TCAD (technology computer-aided design) tools such as Sentaurus Device and Process as well as general purpose multiphysics simulation software (such as COMSOL)
•    Expertise in fundamental theory and computational modeling of the electronic, optical, thermal, and magnetic properties of semiconductor materials and devices. Experience with commercial multiphysics simulation software
•    Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with fellow team members, present ideas and results in technical presentations, and contribute to written research reports

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Experience developing and applying semiclassical and quantum transport techniques for semiconductor devices such as the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) and non-equilibrium Green’s functions (NEGF)
•    Background in collaborative code development utilizing multiple computer languages, including C++ and Python. Applied knowledge of numerical analysis and scientific computing techniques, including high-performance computing platforms
•    Detailed understanding of semiconductor fabrication and characterization techniques, such as epitaxial growth, lithography, electrical characterization, optical spectroscopy, and/or microscopy
•    Strong understanding of semiconductor process flow, layout, and basic circuit design/simulation
•    Experience in device design for extreme environments such as cryogenic, radiation, or high temperature

Physical Requirements:

•    Ability to spend extended periods of time at a computer monitor. 

•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills

•    Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with other team members

•    Excellent problem-solving skills

Special Requirements:

US Person Status

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay Range : $140,700 - $175,950
• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.
• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. 

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants \u007C U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. 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.