Prototype Engineer

Job Description

Onsite in Redmond, WA (Assume 5 Days/Week)

Prototype Engineer

Description
We are seeking a talented and motivated Prototype Engineer to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, building, and validating mechanical/electrical systems for innovative physicochemical processes that are core to delivering transformative optical materials for AR/VR applications.

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on problem solver with a strong background in both mechanical and electrical engineering principles, who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities
Design, build, and validate mechanical and fluidic systems based on the research team's needs using a combination of off-the-shelf and custom components.
Design, build, and fine-tune electrical systems that provide accurate thermal control using off-the-shelf parts and PID controllers.
Develop simple graphical user interfaces for our lab personnel to interact with the mechanical and electrical systems, allowing adjustments in fluidic control, mechanical movements, and temperature control.
Collaborate closely with researchers and continuously iterate and refine the aforementioned designs based on the research team's feedback.
Prepare and update detailed Bills of Materials (BOM) for each system and support budgeting and cost optimization. Maintain thorough documentation of all engineering designs and technical specifications that are ready for sharing with internal teams and external partners.
Ensure compliance with laboratory safety and regulatory requirements.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
2+ years of experience in mechanical and/or electrical engineering roles.
Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., Solid Works, AutoCAD, NX).
Knowledge of prototyping techniques, including 3D printing, conventional machining (milling, turning, CNC), and other fabrication methods such as laser cutting and water jet cutting.

Experience in heaters, thermometers, thermocouples, thermal-electric cooling, circulators, hot/cold plates, and thermal materials (insulators, thermal interface materials).
Experience in developing simple graphical user interfaces using python, LabVIEW, or equivalent programming tools.
Experience in prototyping, testing, and troubleshooting hardware systems.
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in working with organic materials, solutions, and chemical reactors.
Experience in developing fluidic systems that meets stirring, pumping, filtering, and chemical compatibility requirements.
Strong understanding of heat transfer is preferred.

Years of Experience AT LEAST 2+ years of experience in mechanical and/or electrical engineering roles.

Top 3 Must-Have Skills

1. Engineering Prototyping Expertise
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
2+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical and/or electrical engineering roles.

2. Mechanical Design & Fabrication Skills
Proficiency with CAD software (Solid Works, NX).
Knowledge of prototyping techniques: 3D printing, machining (milling, turning, CNC), laser cutting, water jet cutting.
Specifying and sourcing off the shelf electrical components such as heaters, switchers, PCBs.

3. UI Prototyping

Experience with coding Python (or similar) to create a simple Gui for prototyping demos

Nice-to-Have Skills
Experience in working with organic materials, solutions, and chemical reactors.
Experience in developing fluidic systems that meets stirring, pumping, filtering, and chemical compatibility requirements.
Strong understanding of heat transfer is preferred.

Degrees/Certifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities
1. Design, Build, and Validate Mechanical and Fluidic Systems
Use a mix of off-the-shelf and custom components to create systems tailored to research needs.
Ensure systems meet requirements for mechanical movement, fluidic control, and temperature regulation.

2. Design, Build, and Fine-Tune Electrical Systems
Assemble electrical systems for accurate thermal control, utilizing PID controllers and various thermal components (heaters, thermometers, thermocouples, etc.).

3. Develop Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)
Create simple GUIs (using Python, LabVIEW, or similar tools) for lab personnel to interact with mechanical and electrical systems.
Enable adjustments for fluidic control, mechanical movements, and temperature settings.

4. Collaborate with Researchers
Work closely with research teams to iterate and refine system designs based on feedback.
Support ongoing experiments and adapt systems as research needs evolve.

5. Documentation and BOM Management
Prepare and update detailed Bills of Materials (BOM) for each system.
Maintain thorough documentation of…