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Device Development Engineer – Prototyping-focus
| Company | Atomic Machines |
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| Location | Oakland, CA, USA |
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| Salary | $120000 – $160000 |
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| Type | Full-Time |
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| Degrees | Bachelor’s |
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| Experience Level | Junior, Mid Level |
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Requirements
- A first-principles mindset — you question assumptions, reframe problems from the ground up, and approach challenges with a foundational understanding rather than relying solely on precedent.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field, with 2+ years of relevant work or research experience.
- Hands-on lab experience building and/or testing microscale systems (e.g., MEMS, microfluidics, micro-optics, or similar).
- Working knowledge of benchtop instrumentation and metrology equipment (e.g., multimeters, oscilloscopes, calipers, micrometers).
- Intermediate skills in CAD for prototyping and documentation purposes.
- Familiarity with experimental methods, data analysis, and iterative prototyping in a lab setting.
- Strong troubleshooting skills and a practical, problem-solving mindset.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document procedures and results precisely.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams with attention to detail, adherence to the scientific method, strong work ethic, and an outcomes-focused attitude.
Responsibilities
- Build and assemble microscale prototypes using lab equipment, custom semi-automated systems and our proprietary Matter Compiler platform.
- Perform hands-on experiments to evaluate new device designs and process capabilities, iterating quickly based on test results.
- Operate lab equipment for fabrication, assembly, and testing; proactively set up and calibrate new tools as needed.
- Prepare and analyze samples using advanced metrology tools such as SEM/EDS, x-ray, optical microscopy and profilometry, and CMM.
- Create and maintain CAD models and manufacturing files to support prototype fabrication and assembly.
- Document experimental workflows and design changes, capture and analyze test results, and communicate findings effectively across teams.
- Collaborate closely with engineers across design, process, and manufacturing to troubleshoot issues and improve device performance.
- Write and update SOPs for lab tools, processes, and custom setups to support reproducibility and team knowledge sharing.
Preferred Qualifications
- Track record of fabrication experience, e.g., a maker portfolio or hands-on prototyping projects.
- Machine shop experience (manual or CNC mill, manual or CNC lathe, saws, grinders, etc.).
- Programming experience, particularly in Python, for test automation or data processing.
- Experience with data visualization and analysis tools such as JMP, MATLAB, Pandas, matplotlib, etc.
- Familiarity with design verification, root-cause failure analysis, or reliability testing workflows.
- Exposure to structured product development methodologies (e.g., Agile, ICSM, or similar).
- Strong theoretical understanding and/or hands-on experience in the design, assembly, and testing of electrical or electronic components.
