Senior R&D Engineer

Current Surgical • San Francisco, CA

4d

About The Position

Current Surgical Inc. is a startup developing technology at the intersection of engineering and biology. Its first product is a smart microinvasive needle designed to precisely destroy tumors while avoiding damage to healthy tissue, with the goal of treating cancers that are currently untreatable. The technology is backed by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and venture capital firms True Ventures, 1517, and SciFounders.

The Senior R&D Engineer will work directly with the co-founders to design, develop, and test the company’s clinical prototype. The role involves hands-on, multidisciplinary engineering spanning biophysics, image processing, deep learning, electronics, ultrasound, and real-time signal processing. The successful candidate will lead key benchtop and preclinical experiments and collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to meet clinical goals. The position may involve preclinical studies, interactions with clinicians, and fundraising. As the company grows, the role is expected to develop into a leadership position. It is presented as an opportunity for recent PhD graduates to accelerate their industry careers.

Requirements

• PhD in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, medical physics, or a closely related field; alternatively, an MS or BS with 4–5 years of equivalent industry or academic work experience will be considered.
• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and independent, with a desire to grow into a leadership role.
• Excellent technical and analytical capabilities and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to build and manage diverse relationships, including with clinical collaborators.
• Experience developing and executing complex experimental protocols in ex vivo and/or in vivo settings.
• General knowledge of medical imaging, such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI, and image-guided surgery.
• Familiarity with basic mechanical design and rapid prototyping, such as 3D printing or laser cutting.
• Knowledge of Python or Matlab for processing test results and test-and-measurement automation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with ultrasound prototyping hardware, such as Verasonics or Cephasonics.
• Experience applying image processing, computer vision, and/or deep learning techniques to medical images.
• Basic electronics experience, such as fabrication, troubleshooting, schematic capture, or PCB design.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test the clinical prototype in collaboration with the co-founders.
• Lead key benchtop and preclinical experiments.
• Develop and execute complex experimental protocols in ex vivo and/or in vivo settings.
• Work across mechanical, electrical, and software teams to achieve clinical goals.
• Contribute to preclinical studies, clinician collaboration, and fundraising.

What This Job Offers

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