Hardware Lab Technician (410-1)

SproutsAI; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

SproutsAI is seeking a highly skilled Materials Workshop Technician in Santa Clara, California. This role involves precision machining, metallurgical preparation, and conducting root cause analysis of hardware components. You will work closely with engineers to ensure manufacturability and reliability of parts.

The ideal candidate possesses strong expertise in metal machining and fabrication techniques, along with an analytical mindset for troubleshooting materials and manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in metal machining and fabrication techniques.
• Ability to understand material failures or process deviations.
• Familiarity with copper, aluminum, and stainless steel properties.
• Experience in troubleshooting manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on metal machining operations including CNC operations.
• Execute high-quality cross-sectioning and polishing of metal samples.
• Conduct failure analysis to determine reasons for part failures.
• Identify and resolve manufacturing issues related to machining.

Skills

Metal machining

Fabrication techniques

Analytical mindset

Problem-solving

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Materials Workshop Technician to lead hands‑on machining, fabrication, and failure analysis within our materials workshop. Unlike a traditional machinist, this individual will combine expert tool operation with a fundamental understanding of metallurgy to identify, analyze, and correct manufacturing issues. You will be instrumental in the prototyping phase and the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) of hardware components.

Key Responsibilities

• Precision Machining: Perform hands‑on metal machining operations including skiving, CNC operation, and manual machining.
• Metallurgical Preparation: Execute high‑quality cross‑sectioning and polishing of metal samples for microscopic inspection and analysis.
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Conduct failure analysis on common IT industry metals (e.g., Copper, Aluminum, Stainless Steel) to determine why a part or process failed.
• Process Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve fundamental manufacturing issues related to machining, brazing, and surface treatment operations.
• Hardware Innovation: Work closely with engineers to bridge the gap between design and physical production, ensuring manufacturability and reliability of thermal, mechanical components.

Required Qualifications

• Technical Expertise: Proven experience in metal machining and fabrication techniques (CNC, skiving, brazing & bonding, etc.).
• Analytical Mindset: Ability to understand the why behind material failures or process deviations.
• Materials Knowledge: Familiarity with the properties and behaviors of copper, aluminum, and stainless steel.
• Problem‑Solving: Demonstrated experience in troubleshooting manufacturing processes like diffusion bonding, brazing, and surface finishing.

Ways to Stand out from the Crowd

• Experience with Failure Analysis (FA) tools and methodologies.
• Knowledge of heat transfer hardware (e.g., heat sinks, cold plates) and their common failure modes.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and CAD models.