Research Engineer II / Senior Research Engineer

NeuroBionics•Somerville, MA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

NeuroBionics, an MIT neurotechnology spinout, is developing implantable neural interfaces built from microscale, flexible, bioelectronic fibers — delivered through minimally invasive endovascular approaches. By making neural interfacing minimally invasive, we aim to broaden access to life-changing neuromodulation therapies for millions of patients. We are seeking a Research Engineer to join our engineering team designing and fabricating the fibers, tooling, and manufacturing processes behind NeuroBionics' fiber-based neural interfaces. This is a hands-on mechanical engineering role for someone who can characterize a fiber's mechanical and material properties, model and simulate mechanical behavior (FEA), and design an Arduino-controlled rig to automate a manufacturing step. You'll design and fabricate fibers for both our evFiber (endovascular neuromodulation) and emerging IO fiber designs (research neural probe, supported by an NSF grant), lead process improvements for IO fiber connectorization, and help build the rigs, jigs, and documentation that let our manufacturing team build fibers reliably and at scale. Job title will be adjusted based on experience. This role is on-site in Somerville, MA.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.
4+ years of experience working as an engineer on physical products.
Demonstrated experience designing and building jigs and electromechanical devices (Arduino control or similar).
Demonstrated 3D design, CAD, and 3D printing experience.
Experience with mechanical characterization, modeling, and simulation: tensile, bend, and pull force measurement, and finite element analysis (FEA).
Solid grasp of mechanical engineering, mechatronics, and materials science concepts.
Independent, self-directed problem solver comfortable taking the lead on projects, with excellent attention to detail and quality.

Nice To Haves

Experience in materials characterization techniques (FTIR, SEM, TGA)
Experience with machining, including mill and lathe.
Experience with PCB design and soldering of small components.
Excellent fine motor skills and demonstrated ability to work under a microscope on fine components with tweezers.

Responsibilities

Design and build jigs and mechanical rigs to support manufacturing steps, incorporating motors, actuators, and Arduino-based control/light automation.
Apply solid mechanical design skills, with a track record of similar past projects.
Design components and tooling in CAD and produce them via 3D printing to support both manufacturing and IO fiber development/optimization.
Lead the optimization of the IO fiber connectorization process, including new PCB designs, new 3D-printed connector designs, and other process improvements.
Design and build rigs/jigs that improve the connectorization process.
Develop SOPs, work instructions, and other documentation for IO fiber manufacturing.
Make the process runnable by someone who isn't you: Support and train manufacturing technicians to build IO fibers using the processes you develop and optimize.
Mechanical: measure and characterize fiber mechanical properties, including tensile testing, bend forces, and pull force measurement (e.g., Instron); use mechanical simulation and modeling (FEA) to inform design choices.
Chemical/Materials: characterize solvent and etch compatibility of polymers; understand glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal processing behavior; ideally apply FTIR and other materials analysis methods.
Design and fabricate functional fibers and fiber preforms in support of both evFiber and IO Fiber production.