Senior Research Engineer (Onsite/Hybrid)

KoBold Metals • San Francisco, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

KoBold is an AI-native mineral exploration, mine development, and technology development company that integrates artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and new technology to discover critical minerals. Its multidisciplinary teams develop data systems, sensors, and workflows for subsurface predictions across exploration projects. The company operates exploration programs in eight countries and is developing the Mingomba copper deposit in Zambia.

The Senior Research Engineer will drive the design, development, and deployment of subsurface imaging hardware, including muon projects using high-energy physics detectors and seismic measurements using seismometers. The role owns mechanical and electrical systems through the full technical lifecycle—from concept and prototyping through validation, manufacturing, and field deployment. The engineer will collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and geoscientists to create instruments that produce high-quality data for KoBold’s mineral exploration and machine learning systems. The role also contributes to building KoBold’s hardware development discipline, tools, processes, and organization. The position reports to the Head of Subsurface Imaging.

Requirements

• A successful track record developing and deploying complex, state-of-the-art scientific instruments, with about five years of experience after a PhD or correspondingly more experience after a BS or MS.
• Experience deploying and supporting complex equipment at remote sites, including commissioning, validation, training, and monitoring.
• Ability to take on technical lead, project manager, product manager, and hands-on engineering responsibilities.
• Excellent communication skills for a highly interdisciplinary workplace.
• Extensive experience with end-to-end technical product development from concept through testing and deployment.
• Experience with physical measurement and data analysis systems.
• Ability to apply scientific knowledge to identify and prototype emerging technologies.
• Experience with automation, systems integration, and data acquisition.
• Mechanical or electrical design experience for scientific instruments and experience processing measured signals.
• Experience selecting and managing vendors and third-party contractors.
• Ability and desire to take ownership and responsibility for large projects.
• Motivation to learn continuously and drive insights and innovation.
• Ability to explain technical problems to, and collaborate on solutions with, domain experts who are not hardware experts.
• Comfort with a dynamic environment at a fast-growing early-stage company and eagerness to take on varied responsibilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks independently and effectively.
• Solutions-oriented, positive, and collaborative approach.
• Valid passport and willingness to travel to Mingomba or exploration sites around the world.
• Ability to work out of the Berkeley, California office on any given day of the week.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally 20–30% of the time, including to remote field sites; work trips may last more than three weeks.

Nice To Haves

• Product management experience for scientific hardware.
• Experience with particle detectors, optics, and electronics.
• Experience with seismic, acoustic, or other geophysical instrumentation.
• Intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn about mineral exploration, particularly geology.
• Willingness to use KoBold’s tools in exploration and work directly with geologists in the field.
• Strong communication skills and enjoyment of working with colleagues across the company.
• Interest in determining which technical products best achieve the company’s business objectives, as well as building technology.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical development of mechanical and electrical systems for novel sensing and imaging instruments, from concept and prototype through deployment at remote field sites.
• Coordinate and orchestrate internal and external resources across hardware and software engineering to deliver projects.
• Contribute to system architecture definition and evaluate technical tradeoffs through research and analysis, balancing cost, complexity, and timeline.
• Collaborate with data systems and exploration teams to integrate new data streams into KoBold’s proprietary data system and ensure usability for exploration projects.
• Develop an understanding of mineral exploration science and operations so systems and generated data meet user needs and field requirements.
• Build partnerships, source vendors and service providers, and contract for hardware solutions that address exploration needs.
• Create product plans and mechanical and electrical designs from concept through prototyping and production.
• Contribute engineering expertise, analysis, and design to hardware projects across KoBold.
• Help develop KoBold’s hardware development tools and processes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed