Process Development EngineerWe are looking for a Process Development Engineer to help bring a new ceramic production process in-house. Today, key steps in producing our ceramic components are split between external vendors and manual, still-maturing internal workflows. You will own much of the hands-on production of these assemblies today while designing and building the automated, repeatable process we will run in-house tomorrow.This is a hands-on role built for someone who wants to learn a process by doing it.
For the first 6–12 months you will be on the floor performing the manual production work, developing deep intuition for what drives yield and reliability. In parallel, you will use that intuition to design and build fixtures, test stands, and automation (via CAD and hands-on fabrication) that make the process fast, repeatable, and ready to scale. Over time, your role shifts from running the process to engineering it.ResponsibilitiesOwn day-to-day production: Perform the full manual workflow for ceramics processing today including material prep, fixturing, joining, high-temperature thermal processing, and in-process quality control.
Hitting build schedules while the process maturesIn-house the process: Lead the transition of critical processes from external vendors to internal production. Map current vendor and manual workflows, identify what to bring in-house first, and stand up the equipment, fixtures, and procedures to run them reliablyDesign test stands & fixtures: Design, build, and validate mechanical test stands, fixtures, and tooling for part and assembly characterization, taking them from CAD models and 2D drawings through hands-on fabrication and commissioningAutomate & instrument: Design and implement automation and automated data collection for the process, including upgrading measurement systems and building programmatic interfaces to test and process equipmentDefine the long-term process: Translate what you learn on the floor into a scalable in-house process. Defining process parameters, work instructions, tooling, and in-process quality checks that make builds repeatable and yield predictableCharacterize & troubleshoot: Characterize sub-components and assemblies, run root-cause analysis on defects and yield loss, and drive measurable process improvementsDocument & standardize: Write and maintain SOPs, calibrate measurement equipment, and manage inventory (stock, ordering, incoming QC, non-conformity) for the assemblies you produceBuild-Test-Learn: Foster a culture where every failure is documented and results in a concrete improvement to the process, tooling, or designQualificationsB.S.
or M.S. in Mechanical, Materials, Chemical, or a related engineering field3+ years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing, process development, or hardware build environmentDemonstrated ability to take mechanical hardware (test stands, fixtures, or tooling) from concept and CAD through fabrication, assembly, and commissioning. You have personally designed and built working setups, not just specified themExperience transferring a process from an external vendor or R&D setting into repeatable internal productionProficiency in 3D CAD and the creation of clear 2D production drawingsComfort doing hands-on production work in a lab or shop environment, including high-temperature processing, and a genuine willingness to run the manual process for the first 6–12 months to learn it deeplyAttention to detail in experimental design, execution, and documentation, including lab notebooks, data analysis, and technical reportingCuriosity, proactiveness, being a team player, eagerness to learn, and a focus on quickly finding a path to resultsPreferred QualificationsExperience with high-temperature materials (ceramics, superalloys, refractory materials, coatings) and joining processes such as brazing, bonding, or diffusion joiningExperience with high-temperature vacuum or furnace processes (thermal profiles, fixturing, atmospheres, yield troubleshooting)Programming interfaces to measurement or process equipment for automated data collection (Python, LabVIEW); experience with PLCs, sensors, or motion controlFamiliarity with materials characterization methods (microscopy, microstructural analysis, mechanical testing, oxidation/corrosion testing)Hands-on fabrication skills: manual/CNC machining, welding, or 3D printingCompany Culture and BenefitsChallenging, collaborative, and meaningful work and an important voice in company developmentCompetitive salary commensurate with experienceMeaningful equity compensationUnlimited PTO and expectation that all employees take significant time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside workExcellent insurance with 100% of healthcare, vision, and dental premiums covered for the employee, and 80% coverage for dependents401(k) with company match