Fab Engineering Lead

Reality Labs is seeking an experienced engineer to support research scale semiconductor fab and laboratory operations to support research activities, manage equipment, process engineering, program and technician vendor resources, manage budgets, drive cross functional facilities work, ensure safe and efficient operations, and plan for future needs. This role will require a diverse set of skills with an emphasis on semiconductor processing capabilities, liquid crystal fabrication, optics and materials science.

Responsibilities
Lead cleanroom and laboratory operations as SME and SPOC, overseeing facilities, equipment, and process management
* Develop and execute strategic growth plans for lab and fab capabilities and space needs
* Enable and create management systems and dashboards to ensure daily execution and program tracking
* Drive high levels of equipment uptime and reliability across all facilities
* Partner with researchers to execute continuous improvement programs, including direct engineering engagement for problem solving and yield improvement
* Manage day-to-day space operations: technician support, equipment upgrades and moves, safety monitoring, and performance optimization
* Ensure strict compliance with EHS protocols and industrial safety standards
* Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Facilities, EHS) to coordinate and optimize facility activities
* Manage vendor services to ensure compliance and effective support of programs and facilities
* Develop and manage operational budgets for labs and fabs
* Report on operational metrics (safety, space utilization, budgets) to inform leadership and drive continuous improvement

Qualifications
MS degree in relevant field of engineering or science
* 8+ years experience operating within a nanofabrication facility or laboratory with responsibilities in work coordination, operations, equipment and facilities
* 3+ years experience with chemical and material safety in industrial or academic settings, including handling and disposal of chemicals, storage, MAQs, SOPs and PPE
* Operation, maintenance and safety experience including fume hoods, laser systems, robotics, vacuum systems, gas delivery, metrology and optics
* Familiar in operational methodologies including Total Productive Maintenance, formal problem solving, Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing
* Experience managing vendor and contractor engagements
* This role requires onsite presence and may involve physical tasks such as standing, walking, and lifting up to 20 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation Familiarity with EHS management systems, chemical inventory platforms, and hazardous waste compliance reporting
* Experience with cleanroom environmental monitoring systems, ISO classification standards, and particle/contamination control
* Direct experience with liquid crystal fabrication, thin-film deposition, or photolithography process development
* Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
* Experience building operational dashboards or digital management systems for lab/fab KPIs
* Track record of managing multi-million dollar capital equipment procurement and installation projects
* Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
* Demonstrated success managing blended teams of FTEs, vendors, and contract technicians in a matrixed environment
* Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
* Experience leading or scaling up a research-stage cleanroom or lab from early build-out through full operations
* Technical experience within a semiconductor research and development, or pilot production facility
* Certified or trained in Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt) or equivalent formal continuous improvement methodology