Materials Engineer

Neuralink; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental, and vision

Paid holidays

Meals provided

Equity (RSUs)

401(k) plan

Parental leave

Flexible time off

Job summary

Neuralink in California is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to own the full simulation-to-test loop for implant mechanical reliability. You will build explicit dynamics FEA models (LS-DYNA, Abaqus/Explicit), design and run physical tests, calibrate material models, and validate predictions in collaboration with materials, microfabrication, and reliability teams.

You will extend validated models to burst/cyclic pressure, vibration fatigue, and seal interface simulation, coordinate SHPB, DMA and

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 2+ years of hands-on explicit dynamics FEA (LS-DYNA, Abaqus/Explicit).
• 2+ years of hands-on mechanical testing with tensile/DMA/servo-hydraulic systems.
• Experience with polymer/composite material characterization and rate/temperature effects.
• CAD experience and ability to design test fixtures and assemblies.
• Familiarity with ASTM/IEC test standards and autonomous work style.

Responsibilities

• Build, refine, and validate explicit dynamics FEA models to predict mechanical response under high-strain-rate loading.
• Own the in-house mechanical testing pipeline end-to-end; design fixtures, run tests, and relate results to simulations.
• Calibrate material models and deliver validated simulation files.
• Coordinate test projects (SHPB, DMA, abuse testing) and manage external data quality.
• Extend validated impact models to burst/cyclic pressure, vibration fatigue, and seal interface simulations.
• Support cross-functional reliability programs including thermal and RH/leak modeling and accelerated lifetime testing.

Skills

Explicit dynamics FEA

Mechanical testing

Data analysis

SolidWorks CAD

Python for data processing

Education

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science

Tools

LS-DYNA

Abaqus/Explicit

SolidWorks

Job description

We are creating devices that enable a bi-directional interface with the brain. These devices allow us to restore movement to the paralyzed, restore sight to the blind, and revolutionize how humans interact with their digital world.

Team Description:

The Materials Engineering Team at Neuralink develops and qualifies high-performance, biocompatible materials for next-generation brain-computer interfaces. The team owns material characterization, hermetic packaging reliability, accelerated lifetime testing, and predictive simulation for implantable neural devices. We operate at the intersection of physical testing and computational modeling, closing the loop between experiment and simulation to drive design decisions.

Job Description and Responsibilities:

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer who owns the full simulation-to-test loop for implant mechanical reliability. This person will build explicit dynamics FEA models, design and run physical tests, calibrate material models against experimental data, and validate predictions. You will work closely with materials engineers, microfabrication, and cross-functional reliability teams to ensure the implant meets impact, fatigue, and seal integrity requirements.

• Build, refine, and validate explicit dynamics Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models (LS-DYNA, Abaqus/Explicit) to predict mechanical response under high-strain-rate impact loading.
• Own the in-house mechanical testing pipeline end-to-end: design fixtures, prepare specimens, run tests (servo-hydraulic, drop tower, DIC), and correlate results to simulation using quantitative metrics (CORA, force-displacement overlay, DIC contour comparison).
• Translate physical test data into constitutive model inputs: calibrate material cards, optimize parameters, and deliver validated simulation files.
• Coordinate test projects (SHPB, DMA, abuse testing) and own data quality from external sources.
• Extend validated impact models to adjacent reliability domains: burst/cyclic pressure testing, vibration fatigue, and seal interface simulation.
• Support cross-functional reliability programs including thermal modeling, RH/leak modeling, and accelerated lifetime testing as needed

Required Qualifications:

• MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience with explicit dynamics FEA (LS-DYNA, Abaqus/Explicit, or similar) - not static/modal only.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical testing (tensile testers, DMA, servo-hydraulic frames, or similar equipment).
• Experience with polymer or composite material characterization, including rate-dependent and temperature-dependent behavior.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, fabrication, or building and calibrating test equipment.
• Proficiency in mechanical design (SolidWorks or similar CAD software).
• Familiarity with relevant test standards (ASTM, IEC).
• Ability to work autonomously: define test plans, build fixtures, run tests, analyze data, and present conclusions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with high-strain-rate testing (SHPB, drop tower).
• Experience with Digital Image Correlation (DIC) or full-field strain measurement.
• Experience with constitutive model calibration and parameter optimization (fitting test data to LS-DYNA material cards such as MAT_SAMP-1, MAT_024, or cohesive zone models).
• Medical device or aerospace reliability background (DV/V&V, FDA regulatory context).
• Python for data processing and automation.
• Experience correlating simulation to physical test data using quantitative metrics (CORA, force-displacement overlay, DIC contour comparison).
• Experience calibrating and troubleshooting lab instrumentation.

Expected Compensation:

The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the following range. Your actual base pay will be determined by your job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. We also believe in aligning our employees’ success with the company's long-term growth. As such, in addition to base salary, Neuralink offers equity compensation (in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSU)) for all full-time employees.

Base Salary Range:

$113,000 - $209,000 USD

What We Offer:

Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits listed below.

• An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and most talented experts from different fields
• Growth potential; we rapidly advance team members who have an outsized impact
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan
• Paid holidays
• Meals provided
• Equity (RSUs) *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded
• 401(k) plan *Interns initially excluded until they work 1,000 hours
• Parental leave *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded
• Flexible time off *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded