MEMS Fabrication Engineer- Actuator Systems (Early Hire)

Atomos Systems • Boulder, CO

4d

About The Position

We’re looking for a hands-on MEMS Fabrication Engineer to own design, process development, characterization, and productization of a novel micro-scale actuator platform. This role spans multi-physics modeling, microfabrication, and early manufacturing scale-up. As an early hire, you will directly shape the core architecture and manufacturing strategy. What You’ll Do Design & Simulation: Build and refine multi-physics models with emphasis on electromechanical and fluid behavior Process Development: Invent and iterate custom, non-standard MEMS process flows from first principles; define and manage Pareto trade spaces across performance, yield, and manufacturability. Microfabrication: Own end-to-end fabrication, including patterning, surface engineering, thin-film deposition and etching. Characterization: Validate designs using destructive and non-destructive techniques, including SEM, C–V measurements, and accelerated stress testing.

Requirements

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or equivalent practical expertise.
• 3+ years of hands-on micro-fabrication experience and multi-physics modeling.
• Deep understanding of thin-film deposition using physical and chemical methods (PVD, CVD, ALD etc)
• Strong materials science fundamentals: mechanical behavior, thin-film stress, adhesion, electrochemistry
• Demonstrated experience inventing and scaling new fabrication processes, with attention to yield, repeatability, and failure modes
• Practical understanding of fluid dynamics and microfluidic behavior as it relates to microfabrication and device performance
• Developed and owned processes such as electrodeposition, electroforming, and/or anodization

Nice To Haves

• Strong problem-solving abilities with a first-principles approach to complex challenges
• Clear communication and strong ownership in a startup setting
• Genuine enthusiasm for robotics and physically intelligent systems
• A builder mindset: rapid iteration, learning from failure, and shipping real hardware

Responsibilities

• Build and refine multi-physics models with emphasis on electromechanical and fluid behavior
• Invent and iterate custom, non-standard MEMS process flows from first principles; define and manage Pareto trade spaces across performance, yield, and manufacturability.
• Own end-to-end fabrication, including patterning, surface engineering, thin-film deposition and etching.
• Validate designs using destructive and non-destructive techniques, including SEM, C–V measurements, and accelerated stress testing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree