MEMS Fabrication Engineer- Actuator Systems

Atomos Systems; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Atomos Systems is seeking a hands-on MEMS Fabrication Engineer to contribute to design, process development, characterization, and productization of a novel micro-scale actuator platform.

You will work across multi-physics modeling, microfabrication, and, depending on experience, transition to high-volume manufacturing, shaping core architecture and manufacturing strategy in our startup.

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on micro-fabrication experience and multi-physics modeling.
• Experience inventing and scaling new fabrication processes with focus on yield, repeatability, and failure modes.
• Practical understanding of fluid dynamics and microfluidic behavior as it relates to microfabrication and device performance.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a first-principles approach to complex challenges.

Responsibilities

• Design & Simulation: Build and refine multi-physics models with emphasis on electromechanical and fluid behavior
• Process Development: Invent and iterate custom, non-standard MEMS process flows from first principles; define and manage Pareto trade spaces across performance, yield, and manufacturability.
• Microfabrication: Contribute to end-to-end fabrication, including patterning, surface engineering, thin-film deposition and etching.
• Characterization: Validate designs using destructive and non-destructive techniques, including SEM, C–V measurements, and accelerated stress testing.

Skills

Multi-physics modeling

Hands-on microfabrication

Problem-solving

Startup mindset

Tools

SEM

PVD

CVD

ALD

Job description

We’re looking for a hands-on MEMS Fabrication Engineer to contribute to design, process development, characterization, and productization of a novel micro-scale actuator platform. This role spans multi-physics modeling, microfabrication, and depending on experience, transition to high volume manufacturing. As an early hire, you will directly shape the core architecture and manufacturing strategy.

What You’ll Do

• Design & Simulation: Build and refine multi-physics models with emphasis on electromechanical and fluid behavior
• Process Development: Invent and iterate custom, non-standard MEMS process flows from first principles; define and manage Pareto trade spaces across performance, yield, and manufacturability.
• Microfabrication: Contribute to end-to-end fabrication, including patterning, surface engineering, thin-film deposition and etching.
• Characterization: Validate designs using destructive and non-destructive techniques, including SEM, C–V measurements, and accelerated stress testing.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years of hands-on micro-fabrication experience and multi-physics modeling.
• Core technical skills:
• Deep understanding of thin-film deposition using physical and chemical methods (PVD, CVD, ALD etc)
• Strong materials science fundamentals: mechanical behavior, thin-film stress, adhesion, electrochemistry
• Demonstrated experience inventing and scaling new fabrication processes, with attention to yield, repeatability, and failure modes
• Practical understanding of fluid dynamics and microfluidic behavior as it relates to microfabrication and device performance
• What we value:
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a first-principles approach to complex challenges
• Clear communication and strong ownership in a startup setting
• Genuine enthusiasm for robotics and physically intelligent systems
• A builder mindset: rapid iteration, learning from failure, and shipping real hardware

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience