Senior Laser Process Engineer

Atomic Machines•Emeryville, CA

27d•$220,000 - $240,000•Onsite

About The Position

Atomic Machines is developing the Matter Compiler™, an AI-native, all-digital manufacturing system designed to build machines directly from code. The company’s first product is PrimeSwitch™, a compact electromechanical power relay. Atomic Machines is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in Emeryville and Santa Clara. This full-time position is based in Emeryville within the Process Engineering organization. The Senior Laser Process Engineer will shape laser-based manufacturing processes from development through scaled production. The role bridges process engineering, device design, AI, software, hardware, micromachining, materials physics, and optical systems. The engineer will develop processes using in-house pulsed-laser machines, apply metrology and in-situ sensing to analyze laser-material interactions and support AI-enabled process optimization, and solve toolpath challenges with commercial and custom CAD/CAM software. The role calls for strong technical ownership, the ability to address open-ended problems, and responsibility for taking processes from first principles and prototyping through qualification and production hand-off.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.
6–10 years of relevant industry experience.
Strong foundational knowledge of laser-material interaction and the physics of heating, melting, and ablation, as well as heat transfer and thermomechanical phenomena.
Hands-on experience with laser processing and parameter development.
Experience scaling processes and handing them off to production.
Proficiency in design of experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis.
Experience with Python and ability to leverage AI tools for programming.
Experience with metrology tools such as optical imaging and profilometry, CMM, SEM/EDS/EBSD, XRF, and X-ray CT.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with diverse stakeholders.
Strong ownership and accountability; adaptability to changing priorities and comfort managing many concurrent tasks.
Collaborative, team-focused mindset.

Nice To Haves

Pulsed-laser processing experience.
Knowledge of laser and optical system design and performance.

Responsibilities

Develop, optimize, and scale pulsed-laser manufacturing processes, including cutting, milling, selective ablation, and welding.
Design and analyze experiments to understand laser-material interactions across metals, ceramics, and polymers, defining goals, hypotheses, inputs, and outputs.
Document and standardize processes to ensure reproducibility.
Manage calibration and verification systems across multiple machines.
Build and execute qualification and validation protocols, establish process monitoring and control, and train and hand off processes to production personnel.
Troubleshoot equipment, materials, and process issues, using disciplined root-cause analysis to reach durable resolutions.
Develop and refine toolpaths and machine programs using CAD/CAM and G-code to maximize precision and efficiency.
Work with laser system design engineers to translate process learnings into system usability, performance, and features.
Partner with Design, AI, Hardware/Software, and Manufacturing teams, and mentor engineers and technicians in best practices and process quality.
Ensure safe operation of high-power laser systems in accordance with industry standards and internal safety protocols.