New Materials Reactor Design Engineer-Contract

Location: Alameda, CA

Department: Applied R&D

WHO YOU ARE

You’re a hands-on engineer energized by ownership of your design decisions. You understand how every mechanical part you design, every fitting you specify, and every line of code you write is a commitment. You’re thorough and don’t leave loose ends dangling. You’re excited when the things you build outlast you. You excel at translating loosely-defined scientific requests into rigorous, deterministic machines that help unlock technical truth. You bring pragmatism and a daily sense of urgency to your work. When things don’t go as planned, you excel at reducing problems to their underlying physical phenomena and finding solutions everyone can trust. You’re a skilled listener and communicator, which helps you interface with a wide range of people, from chemists to pipefitters. You’re relentless in eliminating sources of drift and uncertainty.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 

• Design, build and test new R&D hardware for novel chemical vapor deposition proof-of-concept work. You’ll have abundant support, but you’ll need to take the lead in carrying out a design from concept through deployment.
• Work with contractors and external vendors to get things built. This will include fabricators, tradespeople, system integrators, and in-house engineers & technicians.
• Close loops. In daily collaboration with the end-users of the machines you build, iterate and refine your designs in fast learning cycles.
• Diagnose problems when they arise and fix them responsively. This will include data analysis and in-person discussions with people who identify problems.
• Organize, document, communicate. Create enduring records of your work. Ensure successful handoff to end-users of your work with clearly-documented commissioning procedures and tests.
• Plan projects accurately and execute according to plan. Design hardware for flexibility and operability. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.
• At least 6 months’ prior experience working full-time in academic and/or industrial research & development environments. 
• Proficiency in mechanical design, CAD software (SolidWorks preferred), and making machines that balance flexibility and robustness. Proficiency in documenting designs and getting them fabricated by outside vendors.
• Programming experience (C, Python, .NET, or IEC 61131 PLC automation preferred).
• Knowledge of AC and DC power fundamentals, sensor/signal troubleshooting, and field wiring best practices.
• Experience with complex, multidisciplinary technical systems (for instance: interconnected electronic, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems)
• Great communication skills, including the ability to surface problems constructively.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
• Move items up to 50 lbs with the assistance of lift equipment and carts
• Move long distances (such as from building to building)
• Can travel locally up to 20% of the time

The starting base pay for this role is $61.25/hour-$77.88 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Contract expected to last 3-6 months.

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