Job Details

Overview

We are seeking a skilled Design Engineer with strong multiphysics skills to join our growing Devices Design team. The devices we develop share similarities with MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) but fundamentally depart from the constraints of traditional semiconductor-based manufacturing. At Atomic Machines, we are building a novel manufacturing platform—the Matter Compiler—from the ground up. This enables us to explore entirely new materials and processes, making possible a class of devices that could not be fabricated in a conventional fab environment.

This unconstrained environment demands engineers who bring exceptional creativity, first-principles thinking, and a multidisciplinary design approach. While experience in traditional MEMS is valuable, our Design Engineers rapidly grow beyond those frameworks, collaborating closely with design peers, process engineers, and technicians to co-evolve device and platform capabilities. This is a unique opportunity for an innovative designer eager to define new fabrication processes and help bring breakthrough devices to scale. This position is full-time, onsite, and is located in our Emeryville, CA location, reporting to the Director of Design Engineering.

What You7ll Do

• Drive the end-to-end design of microscale device subsystems, from concept through simulation, prototyping, testing, and iteration, leveraging the capabilities of our Matter Compiler platform.
• Develop and refine innovative device architectures and components, using advanced materials and processes beyond conventional MEMS.
• Perform analytical modeling and multiphysics simulations (e.g., electrostatics, fluid dynamics, thermal, structural) with tools such as COMSOL.
• Design, build, and iterate on experimental prototypes in a fast-paced R&D environment with short design-test-learn cycles.
• Plan and execute rigorous experimental validation, including the development of custom test setups and protocols tailored to new device functions or phenomena.
• Characterize prototypes using advanced metrology tools, including SEM/EDS, CT scanning, and optical profilometry, to inform design decisions and process improvements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with process, manufacturing, and mechanical engineering teams to co-develop devices and platform capabilities in parallel.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of design rationale, simulation data, experimental results, and iteration history, following internal development standards.
• Contribute to the evolution of our design and development workflows, helping shape a world-class engineering process within an emerging, multidisciplinary manufacturing paradigm.

What You7ll Need

• 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.
• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field, with 3+ years of hands-on experience in industry or advanced research settings.
• Proven experience designing microscale device components or systems, such as MEMS or MEMS-adjacent technologies, from concept through prototyping, either in industry or academic research.
• Strong background in the analysis and design of systems involving coupled physical domains, such as electrostatics, electromagnetics, piezoelectric effects, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and structural mechanics.
• Familiarity with analytical modeling methods and experience performing multiphysics simulations using FEM tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics.
• Fluency in CAD tools for microscale design, with the ability to move efficiently between digital models and physical prototypes.
• Hands-on experience designing, building, and executing experiments to validate prototypes, including rapid iteration in an R&D environment.
• Experience with characterization techniques and metrology tools such as SEM/EDS, CT scanning, and optical profilometry.
• Strong documentation skills, with a consistent, methodical approach to recording design decisions, test results, measurements, and iterations.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams that include process, mechanical, and manufacturing engineers.
• An understanding of design for manufacturability (DFM) principles and the ability to contribute to the development of next-generation Matter Compiler capabilities through device-driven feedback.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and a rigorous, detail-oriented approach to problem-solving and experimentation.

Bonus Points For

• Programming experience, particularly in Python, for automation, data analysis, or custom tool development.
• Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools such as JMP, MATLAB, Pandas, and Matplotlib for experimental design, statistical evaluation, and performance analysis.
• Industry experience in structured product development methodologies such as Agile, ICSM, or equivalent systems engineering frameworks.
• Familiarity with product engineering, including design verification, validation, and root-cause failure analysis.
• Experience with reliability engineering, including accelerated life testing, environmental testing, and long-term performance characterization of microscale systems.
• Hands-on experience with MEMS production technologies and fabrication process integration, especially in a research, prototyping, or early-stage manufacturing environment.

The compensation for this position also includes equity and benefits. CA Bay Area Salary Range: $150,000 USD - $210,000 USD