Founding Engineer / Head of Engineering
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Founding Engineer / Head of Engineering - Onsite Full-Time
Work Location: Onsite in San Leandro, CA
Our client, deeptech startup, is pioneering advanced nanofiber manufacturing through innovative electrospinning technology. They're seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Founding Engineer with expertise in mechatronics, manufacturing scalability, software integration, and industrial automation. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast-moving startup environment, is willing to roll up their sleeves to build, and can bridge the gap between mechanical engineering, electronics, software development, and production system optimization
About The Technology
The company has developed a breakthrough approach to electrospinning that utilizes alternating current (AC) and proprietary electronics to produce nanofibers at significantly higher throughput and lower cost than conventional methods. Their innovation includes custom-built transformers, novel feedback loops that interface with polymer solutions, and advanced emitter designs that support scalability. This technology creates high-performance materials with exceptional surface area-to-volume ratios, tunable porosity, and precise chemical functionalization鈥攊deal for applications in catalysis, thermal management, separations, biomedical engineering, advanced materials, and clean energy.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead end-to-end development of core nanofiber manufacturing technology, from prototyping to deployment and scale-up
Design and optimize mechatronic systems that integrate mechanical components with electronic controls for reliable, high-throughput manufacturing
Develop firmware and software interfaces with high-speed digital communication and control logic for real-time process monitoring and production quality control
Direct mechanical system development for roll-to-roll electrospinning using prototyping tools (3D printing, 8020, sheet metal) and transition these designs to production-ready manufacturing processes
Develop comprehensive testing and validation protocols for manufacturing systems
Implement real-time feedback systems for process optimization and quality control at production scale
Create manufacturing standards and procedures that ensure consistent product quality and operational efficiency
Hire and mentor a world-class technical team as the company grows
Work hands-on in the lab to rapidly build, test, and iterate on designs with a focus on manufacturability
Collaborate with leadership on strategic decisions and manufacturing technology roadmaps
Identify and resolve production bottlenecks to increase throughput and efficiency
Lead the transition from prototype to scalable manufacturing processes
Qualifications:
Expert in end-to-end mechanical system design, from concept to scale-up, with deep proficiency in CAD (Fusion, SolidWorks, Onshape, etc.) and a track record of building robust, manufacturable assemblies for automation and high-throughput environments.
Proven ability to design and implement automated electromechanical systems, integrating sensors, actuators, and control systems for scalable, reliable operations in advanced manufacturing.
Experience collaborating with fabrication houses, ensuring design for manufacturability (DFM)
Strong experience with mechanical prototyping (8020 frames, sheet metal, 3D printing) and ability to translate prototypes into production-ready designs.
Able to program microcontrollers or single-board computers for sensor data acquisition, control loops, or communications.
Experience with mechatronic system integration, combining mechanical components with electronic controls and software
Expertise in production system optimization, identifying bottlenecks and implementing solutions
Understanding of manufacturing workflow optimization and scale-up challenges
Experience with quality control systems and statistical process control in manufacturing environments
Willingness to iterate rapidly and solve unexpected problems
Readiness for deeply hands-on lab environment with real-time hardware building and testing
Nice-to-haves:
Experience designing or implementing advanced control loops, data capture, or high-speed digital interfaces with FPGAs or Real-Time systems
Familiarity with PLCs, motion control, or advanced robotics
Direct experience with electrospinning processes, nanofiber fabrication, or other advanced materials manufacturing
Skills in building UI dashboards, data analysis tools, or cloud service integration for monitoring
Previous record of building an engineering team and establishing best practices
Experience scaling production from prototype to commercial volumes
Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and their application to advanced materials production
Compensation & Benefits:
Salary Range: $125K+ (+Equity)
Position Type: Full-time, Expert-Level (8+ years experience)
Start Date: May 1, 2025
Work Environment: Flexible workspace with modern tools and technology
Impact Opportunity: Direct contribution to advanced manufacturing innovation with applications across multiple industries
Career Growth: Rare opportunity to build a category-defining company from the ground up
Team Culture: Passionate, fun, and mission-driven colleagues focused on transformative technology