Lead Hardware Systems Engineer

Epoch Biodesign; San Bruno (CA); On-site; USD 195,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Epoch Biodesign in San Bruno is seeking a Sr. Systems Engineer to lead the ideation and testing of innovative food recycling technology. This hands-on role involves collaboration with engineers and product teams, optimizing designs for performance and efficiency.

The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in managing complex thermal and fluid processes, a strong engineering background, and excellent communication skills. A competitive salary range of $195,000 - $255,000 is offered, not including benefits or equity considerations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in a systems role with thermal and fluid handling.
• Experience managing cross-functional engineering projects.
• Strong communication skills in written and verbal formats.

Responsibilities

• Lead test engineers on experimental optimization of system parameters.
• Develop control schemes for energy efficiency and drying time.
• Oversee external simulations for system design improvement.
• Optimize custom hardware with mechanical engineers.
• Collaborate on sourcing components for production.

Skills

Thermal and fluid handling

Cross-functional collaboration

Python for data analysis

Electromechanical integration

Communication skills

Education

BS/MS degree in engineering

Tools

Python

R

Job description

Mill is a waste prevention technology company reimagining what it means to eliminate waste, starting with food. We build smart systems and infrastructure for homes, businesses, and municipalities that transform food scraps from landfill-bound waste into valuable resources, including chicken feed. Tens of thousands of Mill’s residential food recyclers are already helping households divert millions of pounds of food scraps every year, paving the way for our upcoming launch of Mill Commercial—the industry’s first end-to-end solution for managing, understanding, and preventing food waste in commercial environments (e.g. grocery, restaurants, food services). At Mill, we are passionate about building easy-to-use, beautifully designed technologies that keep food in the food system and out of landfills.

About this Role:

As a Sr. Systems Engineer at Mill, you will be responsible for helping ideate, test and define the next generation of Mill’s commercial food recycler technology. We are a small team and you will work cross-functionally with Electrical/Mechanical Engineers, Algorithms and Product Teams to deliver world class industrial products designed to keep food waste out of landfills. This is a hands‑on role and best suited for someone who has a history of working on interdisciplinary projects involving thermal, fluids or chemical processes from concept through production.

Responsibilities:

• Owns system performance: Tech lead for test engineers on the experimental optimization and characterization of system parameters such as temperatures, flow rates, and heat transfer to improve energy efficiency and throughput. Collaborates on analysis and helps derive conclusions and next steps from experimental data.
• Work collaboratively with algorithms and firmware teams to develop control schemes for the system processes to optimize energy consumption and drying time while ensuring reliable function
• Identify opportunities to improve the system design to deliver improved performance or reliability.
• Oversee and direct external simulations work such as CFD, thermal and multiphysics models to help improve system design and performance.
• Determine the system requirements for various components such as fans, condensers, heaters, flow meters and sensors. Collaborates with other systems engineers to ensure these are well documented and have visibility to other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers to optimize custom hardware such as mixing paddles, air deflectors and cutting/shredding technology core to the drying and grinding chamber.
• Collaborate with operations and global supply chain managers on sourcing components that will meet our specifications at production volumes.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers to facilitate the transition of prototype parts and bench top proof of concept to high volume manufacturing methods.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years experience working hands on as a systems or in a lead role with significant thermal and fluid handling aspects. Ideal past experience would include taking new processes from concept through to production.
• An ability to work cross functionally, and interface with a wide range of disciplines to enable cross functional collaboration. Strong communications skills through written, verbal and graphical presentation techniques.
• Ability to leverage python to analyze time series data is preferred, but other means (R, Ai ect) are also acceptable.
• Past experience managing cross functional engineering projects spanning a number of technical disciplines including electrical, mechanical, thermal, and controls.
• Hands‑on experience with electromechanical integration and part selection such as blowers, valves, fans and sensors
• BS and or MS degree in related engineering field preferably with focus on Process, Thermal, mechanical or Chemical Engineering. Masters or higher is preferred.
• Some prior startup experience is highly preferred.
• Strong communications skills through written, verbal and graphical presentation techniques
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively across the entire company as needed

The estimated base salary range for this position is $195,000- $255.000, which does not include the value of benefits or a potential equity grant. A wide range of factors are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, market conditions, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and business and organizational needs. At Mill, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role.