Director of Mechanical Engineering, Hardware Platform

Atomic Machines is ushering in a new era in micromanufacturing with its Matter Compiler (MC) technology. The MC enables new classes of micromachines to be designed and built by offering manufacturing processes and a materials library that is inaccessible to semiconductor manufacturing methods. The MC promises to unlock MEMS manufacturing both for the many device classes that never could be made by semiconductor methods but also to open up entirely new classes. Furthermore, the MC is fully digital in the way 3D printing is digital, but where 3D printing produces parts of a single material using a single process, the MC is a multi-process, multi-material technology: bits and raw materials go in and complete, functional micromachines come out.  The Atomic Machines team has also created an exciting first device – one that was only made possible by the existence of the Matter Compiler – that we will be unveiling to the world soon. 

Our offices are in Berkeley and Santa Clara, California.

About the role:

We are seeking a well-rounded Director of Mechanical Engineering to manage and lead the exceptional and growing Hardware Platform team at Atomic Machines.  The Atomic Machines Platform (AMP) is a highly modular hardware/software platform upon which the Matter Compiler is built. 

The ideal candidate is both deeply technical in precision mechanical engineering and a motivational and dynamic people manager, who is excellent at leading teams from uncertainty to clarity with strong first principles thinking and analysis. 

• Engage with leaders of other engineering disciplines to gather requirements, exchange feedback, and proactively anticipate technical and resource risks.
• Collaborate with leadership and program management to determine clear project objectives and represent their team in broader program conversations.
• Manage projects by setting requirements, goals, and timelines, and track team execution and monitor deadlines, resources, and dependencies. 
• Work with project managers to accurately represent and account for the team’s work. 
• Deep and extensive technical background in mechanical design for robotics.
• Drive architectural clarity, design documentation, and design reviews.
• Refine these processes to build a team culture with high standards, rigorous engineering practices, and a focus on collaboration to achieve the team goals.
• Guide the design and direction of projects in a manner consistent with the company vision and mission.
• Engage in mechanical engineering tasks and support as needed with a “do whatever it takes” attitude.
• Ensure your team delivers quality engineering architecture and design along with fast, reliable, testable production code; advise engineers on system optimization and tradeoffs.
• Lead by example of strong work ethic; communicate context richly to enable high-quality decision making.
• Assign team members to cross-functional and platform engineering efforts.
• Hire exceptional engineers to grow the team as needed to support longer-term Atomic Machines strategy.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members in the development of the product as well as for personal career development; manage team member performance.
• Align team objectives and work with company objectives; ensure the team is working effectively within company processes.

• 10 years of experience in designing dynamic mechanical precision systems including actuators and motors, with at least 7 years managing 5 person teams of senior engineers, ideally with experience managing managers and electro-mechanical technicians.
• Solid command of engineering fundamentals, design principles, and detailed drawing.
• Deep understanding of the principles of electromechanical systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of rapid prototyping and scale production manufacturing processes (including machining, sheet metal, injection molding, etc.).
• Comfortable leading teams through all phases of product development lifecycle including design, implementation, debug, verification & validation, qualification, and transfer to manufacturing.
• Fast, critical thinker who can productively engage in whiteboard brainstorming sessions, driving clarity and alignment on requirements and approaches, effectively influencing and driving alignment across multiple teams and across disciplines.
• Autonomy; Ability to make remarkable progress in the face of ambiguity.
• Good clear communication, both verbally and in written documentation. 
• High amount of team collaboration - ability to ask the right questions.
• Creativity and inventiveness.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline, or equivalent work experience.

Salary : $200,000 - $260,000