Cleanroom Fabrication and Characterization Engineer

Job Title: Cleanroom Fabrication & Characterization Engineer / Technician

Job Locations:

Employee may be assigned to work at one or more of the following locations:

• University of Maryland, College Park, MD
• U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Adelphi, MD
• Khanjur R&D Lab, Silver Spring, MD

Job Type: Full-Time, In-Person

Part-time roles and internships may be accommodated for students until graduation, depending on availability and program fit.

Preferred Start Date: February 2026 - June 2026 (flexible based on candidate availability)

Citizenship Requirement:

U.S. Citizenship is required due to work performed at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

Compensation:

We are hiring multiple candidates. Compensation will be based on business needs, level of education, and demonstrated technical experience.

Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD-level candidates, including recent and soon-to-be graduates, are encouraged to apply.

About Us

Khanjur R&D, LLC is an advanced materials and advanced manufacturing early-stage startup with a vision to transform how the world moves through intelligent materials and inspired design. The company is currently executing a federal contract and preparing to scale fabrication of micro-scale devices using proprietary manufacturing processes.

Khanjur R&D is led by Dr. Sabrina Curtis, Founder & CEO, a world-recognized expert in shape memory alloys (SMAs) and a University of Maryland alumna (BS, MS, PhD – Materials Science & Engineering, 2023). The company is commercializing Dr. Curtis’s research on SMA-based micro-actuators and smart material systems.

Applicants are encouraged to review Dr. Curtis’s published research to better understand the materials and device platforms used by the company:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=iful6ZsAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

Position Overview

Khanjur R&D is seeking a Cleanroom Fabrication & Characterization Engineer / Technician to support fabrication, processing, and characterization of micro-scale materials and devices in cleanroom environments. This role is highly hands-on and technically focused, supporting both R&D and early-stage production activities tied to an active federal contract.

This position is ideal for candidates with direct cleanroom experience who are interested in working on real-world microfabrication challenges in collaboration with government research laboratories. The role is suitable for bachelor’s-, master’s-, or PhD-level candidates, including those seeking an industry-facing research role or a pathway into long-term technical manufacturing or government research careers.

Key Responsibilities

The candidate will be responsible for:

• Supporting fabrication of micro-scale materials and devices in cleanroom environments
• Operating and assisting with thin-film deposition processes (e.g., sputtering and related PVD techniques)
• Assisting with photolithography, etching, and sample preparation/cleaning procedures
• Performing materials and device characterization, including structural, compositional, and electrical measurements
• Maintaining accurate, organized documentation of samples, process conditions, and experimental results
• Supporting troubleshooting of cleanroom processes and equipment in collaboration with senior engineers and researchers
• Following and contributing to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and cleanroom safety protocols

Minimum Qualifications

• At least one (1) year of hands-on laboratory research experience
• Prior project experience involving design, fabrication, and/or testing of a micro-scale component, such as:
• Materials or thin films
• Sensors or MEMS devices
• Microelectronic or microfluidic components
• Actuators, transistors, or similar electronic devices
• Familiarity with cleanroom tools and practices, such as:
• Sputtering or other thin-film deposition methods
• Photolithography
• Etching processes
• Sample cleaning and handling procedures
• Experience with at least one advanced characterization technique, such as:
• SEM, XRD, EDX
• Optical microscopy
• Electrical characterization (e.g., resistance measurements)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow technical protocols

Preferred Qualifications (Not Required)

• Degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• Master’s degree, PhD, or bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of research experience
• Experience working in university or government cleanroom facilities
• Interest in careers in advanced manufacturing, government research laboratories, graduate school, or entrepreneurship
• Participation in University of Maryland research or entrepreneurial programs

Working Conditions

• Cleanroom work comprises approximately 75% of this role, primarily at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (Adelphi, MD)
• Typical working hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm (some flexibility available)
• In-person work is required
• Reliable transportation between lab locations is preferred but not required; accommodations may be made
• Weekly meetings with the Business Manager (schedule coordinated in advance)
• Occasional time-sensitive project support may require limited after-hours availability, with flexibility provided to ensure the employee does not exceed a 40-hour work week

Internship & Part-Time Opportunities

• Internships and part-time positions are available for local DC/Maryland-area candidates
• Summer internships with continuation into part-time roles during the academic year are possible
• Preference will be given to students graduating no later than December 2026, with the understanding that full-time employment may be available following the internship period