Manager, Equipment Engineering

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Manager, Equipment Engineering. Location:Fremont, CA, USA

You will oversee complex fabrication tools and infrastructure while working closely with engineering, facilities, and EHS teams to support Rigetti’s mission of building scalable quantum processors.

Duties:

• Lead daily operation, maintenance, and uptime of fabrication equipment including high-vacuum deposition, lithography, plasma etch, packaging, and metrology tools.
• Diagnose and resolve equipment failures, plan preventive maintenance, and manage upgrades with internal teams and external vendors.
• Oversee hazardous materials handling and chemical waste management in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Coordinate with the City of Fremont, Union Sanitary District, and EHS consultants for permitting, inspections, and reporting;
• Support facility infrastructure systems such as process cooling water, exhaust systems, compressed air, and power distribution.
• Partner with fabrication engineers to understand tool requirements and align equipment capabilities with process needs.
• Collaborate across fabrication, facilities, engineering operations, and EHS teams to plan maintenance schedules and Fab expansion projects.
• Contribute to the design, installation, and qualification of new tools and infrastructure as the Fab grows.

Qualifications:

• 10 or more years of experience in equipment maintenance or similar technical roles within semiconductor, MEMS, or industrial manufacturing environments.
• Strong hands-on experience with high-vacuum systems, plasma etching tools, cryogenic systems, and laser-based systems.
• Deep knowledge of hazardous materials management and environmental compliance standards.
• Proven experience leading and developing equipment technicians with clear communication and task prioritization.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with fabrication, facilities, and engineering teams;
• Experience managing vendors, contractors, and external agencies.
• Data-driven mindset with experience analyzing equipment data, maintenance logs, and performance trends.
• Systems-level thinking with an understanding of how tools, infrastructure, and processes interact.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Preferred:

• Experience working in semiconductor or R&D fab environments.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance systems and equipment data collection tools.
• Experience working with regulatory agencies such as OSHA, EPA, or local permitting authorities.

Benefits and Instructions:

• Base salary range of $165,000 to $200,000 per year, based on experience, skills, and location.
• Competitive benefits including equity, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid parental leave, rejuvenation days, and paid vacation.
• Inclusive and equal opportunity workplace committed to diversity and fairness;
• Rigetti may use AI tools during parts of the hiring process, with final decisions made by humans.
• Candidates interested in future opportunities may submit a general application to stay connected with Rigetti.