Overview:
The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.
Georgia Tech's Mission and Values
Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:
1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
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6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
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8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.
Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.
Project/Unit Description
A Photonics Engineer advances and matures the state-of-the-art in integrated circuits that interact with electromagnetic signals. Their research centers on the development of RFICs and/or photonic IC (PICs) technology enabled through a diverse set of material systems, including Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)-based silicon, silicon germanium (SiGe), and compound semiconductors (InP, GaAs, GaN and their associated ternary and quaternary compositions). The engineer is versed in the design and development of electronic, radio frequency, millimeter wave, and photonics design and development. Technology breakthroughs are achieved through a broad skill set covering numerous stages of the fabrication process including simulation, design, layout, packaging, and characterization of ICs, as well as integration into higher-level systems (such as board-level, component-level, and systems-level). The engineer works as part of a broad team of researchers to innovate new concepts, identify technology stakeholders, and execute challenging research in the national interest
Job Purpose
The RF Photonics & Advanced Materials Division (RFPAM) in the Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory (EOSL) of GTRI is searching for an entry-level Photonics/RF IC engineer willing and able to work on multiple projects within the Division, as the need arises, including laboratory experimentation as well as modeling of experimental data. The RFPAM Division works in the topical areas of 1) architecture & design of photonic subsystems, 2) design, prototyping & packaging of innovative DoD microsystems using photonic / RF / digital ICs, 3) development of advanced semiconductor & luminescent materials for energy conversation & storage, 4) physical analysis of integrated circuits, and 5) assembly, test, and operation of cubesats. The RFPAM team is skilled in design, simulation, fabrication, packaging and measurement of RF and photonic ICs and subsystems, fiber optics, processing RF signals in the optical domain, fiber comms, building optical & RF systems & subsystems with discrete components & ICs, the chemistry/physics/synthesis of materials, and the physics/reliability/ forensics analysis of III-V & CMOS devices. Our division is a leader in both the Georgia Tech-wide space & microelectronics communities, each of which includes several labs within GTRI, as well as academic departments such as Electrical & Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, the Packaging Research Center, and the Institute for Electronics and Nanoscience, and others. GTRI offers a dynamic, collaborative environment, where research faculty generate new ideas for projects to serve the needs of the warfighter, with opportunities to perform on projects outside their division to broaden their knowledge & experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop RF and Analog IC designs at a device level according to requirements, architecture, and design
- Generate documentation of hardware design and theory of operation
- Perform basic RF and analog lab testing activities
- Use RF and Analog schematic, layout, and modeling tools
- Perform literature surveys on research topics -Generate documentation of experiments and results
Additional Responsibilities
- Conduct benchtop experiments in the optics laboratory using fiber optics, lasers, modulators, amplifiers, photodetectors, integrated circuits, etc.
- Conduct experiments in the cleanroom in the areas of microelectronics fabrication and/or packaging of RF, photonic, and digital devices
- Work with others to design experiments to get to the root cause of unexplained phenomena observed in the lab
- Model and simulate optical and RF systems, devices, and structures
- Probe and characterize integrated circuits with RF and optical instrumentation
Required Minimum Qualifications
- Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than December 2024.
- B.S. degree in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics, microelectronics, mechanical engineering, or similar field
- Extensive laboratory and computer skills as demonstrated in independent undergrad projects, master’s thesis research, laboratory internships, etc.
- Strong coursework foundation in physics and mathematics
- Strong programming skills in common software / simulation tools such as Python, Matlab etc.
- Basic knowledge of RF or photonic engineering, microfab techniques, or device physics
- Experience performing basic electrical and optical tests using equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, and signal analyzers.
- Strong sense of curiosity in both the technical and non-technical aspects of working in applied research.
- Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Secret Security Clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Active Secret Clearance
- Experience with photonic component and system simulation and layout software such as Lumerical, OptSim, VPI Photonics, Optodesigner
- Experience with radio frequency component and system simulation and layout software such as HFSS, Cadence AWR, Keysight ADS, Silvaco TCAD, Altium Designer, or Klayout.
- Strong knowledge of radio frequency engineering, circuit concepts, microfabrication techniques, or device physics.
- Prior experience designing into various foundry processes, through tapeout, fabrication, and characterization of integrated circuits.
- Characterization and test of bare die in a probe station, load-pull measurements
- Strong foundation in mathematics and physics with ability to learn complex engineering concepts demonstrated through primary authorship in peer reviewed publications, contributions to Sponsored programs, or winning proposals.
- Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas to a non-technical audience
Travel Requirements
<10% travel
Education and Length of Experience
This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook
- 0 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Microelectronics, Applied Physics, Optical
U.S. Citizenship Requirements
Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.
Clearance Type Required
Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.
Benefits at GTRI
Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://hr.gatech.edu/benefits
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