Semiconductor Systems Design Engineer

Space Forge is a fast-growing in-space manufacturing company. We are first and foremost a materials company, developing new compound semiconductor substrates. We do this onboard the world’s first returnable and re-launchable satellite platform, the ForgeStar. The ForgeStar can support a wide array of missions, from in-space manufacturing of new materials and microgravity research to planetary landing systems and deep space exploration.

We are looking to hire a Semiconductor Systems Design Engineer to join our team, someone who has a desire to be part of our journey to build something generational. Someone who has experienced fast company growth and the challenges that come along with it.

What will you do?

• Interfacing with suppliers and stakeholders (both internal and external) to derive requirements, define concepts and perform trade-off analysis to support the design and development of chemical vapor deposition (CVD)growth systems.
• Integrate systems such as plasma sources, pressurised gas storage and distribution lines, pressure regulators and mass flow controllers.
• Design and integrate high-vacuum assemblies.
• Work with engineers across process, mechanical, thermal, electronics, software and AIT functions throughout the entire design, test and manufacture process, ensuring conformity across different subsystems
• Assist with testing, validation & verification campaigns to qualify the semiconductor growth hardware
• Conduct Failure Mode Effects Criticality Analysis (FMEA) and Fault Detection Isolation and Reporting (FDIR) analysis and support the safety assessment for the whole CVD system

Key responsibilities

• Own the generation and maintenance of functional technical specifications and systems designs of crystal growth systems.
• Own the development and maintenance of architectural and systems engineering models through MBSE (including behavioural and use case analysis, functional, activity and sequence diagrams etc.) throughout the design process from initial concept through to manufacture and test.
• Lead the research, trade-off and selection of technologies and components
• Liaise with sub-system design and functional teams (eg process electronics, thermal, software, AIT etc) to support alignment of the design and development activities and the preparation of suitable testing procedures.
• Support the development of detailed mechanical design models and engineering drawings for crystal growth reactors, vacuum manifolds, thermal management systems and gas delivery assemblies using CAD tools.
• Support the assembly, leak-testing, power-up and qualification of new or modified crystal growth reactor systems and equipment.

Your Profile

Technical skills:

• Degree in Systems, Mechanical, Chemical or Materials Science Engineering,
• Experience with vacuum systems, high-purity gas delivery and plasma reactors/thermal processing systems.
• Able to conduct complex trade-offs in support of the design activities.
• Understand fluid dynamics and reaction chamber thermodynamics,
• Understand systems engineering principles, including requirements analysis, system design, integration, testing, and validation.

Soft Skills:

• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Ability to take total ownership of a task and support other team members
• Able to communicate with teams working across multiple disciplines both in and out of the office;
• Able to communicate professionally with customers and external stakeholders;
• Resilient and adaptable to technical and non-technical roadblocks, as many are expected

If you have any of these skills, please ensure they are obvious on your CV and you should highlight them in your application answers.

Why Space Forge?

We believe in a future where our most polluting industries are moved off the planet, built for sustainability, and returned back to Earth for the benefit of all. Space is the next step for our manufacturing needs.

At Space Forge, we believe in creating the best possible workplace that suits every single person that joins us.

• Flexitime hours - 40 hours to be worked across Monday-Friday as fits both your needs and the needs of the role
• Hybrid working possible with minimum 2 days per week on-site requirement and additional on-site attendance as needed
• 33 days holiday including bank holidays
• Pension scheme at 4% matched
• Charity or cause you’re passionate about? Up to 5 volunteering days a year to support the things closest to you and make an impact
• Super cool office and factory - the coffee is on us (and it’s certified carbon neutral too, our snazzy machine does anything from the humble americano to a superb flat white)
• Pizza pay day - okay, it’s not always pizza, but if you’re at the office on pay day, lunch is on us
• Your mental health is important! You’ll have access to Spill - an all-in-one mental health support platform offering completely anonymous therapy sessions to our whole team
• Working with a passionate, friendly and highly motivated team
• Maternity / Paternity benefits beyond statutory

Salary range: £35,000 - £55,000 per annum, depending on knowledge, experience and skills

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and that starts with hiring diversely. However, you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, we welcome you to apply for a role at Space Forge.
If there are any reasonable adjustments that would help improve your experience with Space Forge, please do let us know when you apply.

Closing date is Thursday 26th November.