Mechatronics and Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Elve, Inc.; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits (medical, dental, vision)

Vacation

Exposure to cutting-edge technology

Job summary

A cutting-edge technology startup in California is seeking an Automation & Mechatronics Engineer to design and implement automated manufacturing systems. This hands-on role involves collaboration with various teams to enhance production capabilities through robotics and IoT solutions. The ideal candidate has proven experience in automation engineering and is proficient in Python. Join us to contribute to groundbreaking technology that revolutionizes wireless connectivity and be part of a passionate, mission-driven team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in mechatronics, robotics, or automation engineering for manufacturing processes.
• Hands-on experience deploying automation in manufacturing or test environments.
• Ability to independently design, build, and debug physical systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement automated manufacturing and test equipment to improve throughput.
• Collaborate with teams to define automation requirements and perform validations.
• Troubleshoot and improve existing automation systems for reliability.

Skills

Mechatronics

Robotics

Automation engineering

Python programming

IoT systems deployment

Tools

Solidworks

Job description

Who is Elve?

Elve, Inc is a deep-tech startup in Davis, CA, specializing in the design and manufacturing of high-efficiency lightweight millimeter-wave and near-THz RF power amplifiers. Our groundbreaking technology enables 100x faster wireless internet access in urban settings and remote locations, revolutionizing the future of wireless connectivity well beyond 5G. We are looking for process development engineers to join our team and contribute to the advancement of our technology. If you are passionate about RF electronics, microfabrication, precision assembly, and working on cutting‑edge technology, then we want to hear from you!

Job Description

This role owns the design, build, and deployment of physical automation systems across manufacturing and test operations. The Automation & Mechatronics Engineer will develop fixtures, tooling, robotics, and automated workcells that increase throughput, speed, consistency, and safety.

This is a hands‑on role requiring comfort with hardware, controls, and iterative deployment in a live manufacturing environment. You can expect a split between design, coding, hands‑on hardware assembly, implementation, validation, and hands‑on hardware debugging.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement automated manufacturing and test equipment (robotics, fixtures, tooling, workcells), including robotic systems and IoT logging to improve throughput and reduce manual labor.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, test, and quality teams to define automation requirements and perform safety and function validation.
• Troubleshoot and improve existing automation systems for reliability and maintainability.
• Develop and maintain documentation for automation systems including SOPs and maintenance procedures.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in mechatronics, robotics, or automation engineering for manufacturing processes.
• Experience with design, training, and deployment of robotics, sensors, actuators, and control systems.
• Hands‑on experience deploying automation in manufacturing or test environments.
• Ability to independently design, build, and debug physical systems.
• Python programming.
• Proven knowledge and experience deploying IoT systems in production environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in relevant roles in a commercial setting.
• Experience with industrial robotics, AI‑driven robotics, or vision systems.
• Familiarity with Solidworks and GD&T.
• Familiarity with discrete manufacturing.
• Experience working in fast‑moving venture‑backed companies.

Benefits

• Health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• Vacation
• A taste of the start‑up life
• Exposure to cutting‑edge technology in vacuum electronics, materials science, and additive manufacturing

What It's Like To Work At Elve

We are an expanding team, on a mission to bring the next generation of high‑speed wireless connectivity to a billion people worldwide. That kind of impact is not going to be achieved with incremental improvements‑ we are gunning for orders of magnitude advances in production capability, cost, size, and power in the mm‑wave RF amplifier market. We work really hard, make sure we get good sleep, we handle conflict intentionally, and we expect great things from each other.