Microfabrication Engineer (R&D)

Neuralink; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 209,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity (RSUs)

401(k) plan

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

Paid holidays

Meals provided

Parental leave

Flexible time off

Job summary

Neuralink is seeking a Microfabrication Engineer to develop thin‑film microelectrode arrays for preclinical and clinical studies. You will create new device layouts, devise production‑scale fabrication processes, and run benchtop experiments to link fabrication parameters with impedance and longevity.

You will analyze data to inform product improvements, author SOPs, and mentor teammates while coordinating with vendors and study teams to ensure high‑quality documentation and regulatory

Qualifications

• Evidence of exceptional ability in an engineering or physical science field.
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physical science.
• 3+ years of academic or industry experience with microfabrication technology.
• Experience in experimental design, data collection and analysis, and scientific communication.
• Comfortable working with hazardous substances and sensitive electronic devices in research and production environments.
• Experience with analytic and microfabrication process equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design and realize next‑generation thin‑film microelectrode arrays.
• Develop and deploy advanced process integration schemes for thin‑film fabrication within production environments.
• Execute benchtop experiments to characterize fabrication parameters, design, and product performance.
• Utilize statistical analysis on experimental data to drive product improvements.
• Sponsor in vivo studies to validate physiological performance of designs and processes.
• Author comprehensive SOPs and technical documentation to standardize activities across the team.
• Provide technical training and mentorship to team members.
• Manage data collection and retention strategies for high‑quality reporting.
• Contribute to study reports and communicate with external vendors on specifications.

Skills

Engineering background

Data analysis

Experimental design

Microfabrication

Hazardous substances handling

Process equipment

Scientific communication

Device layout design

High-volume production

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or physical science

Masters or PhD in related fields (preferred)

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 Microfabrication Team, a division of the Brain Interfaces Hardware Department, designs, manufactures, and verifies the thin-film microelectrode array that records and relays neural signals to the body of the implant. The team operates at an in-house cleanroom facility in Fremont, with operations expanding to Austin in the near future.

Job Description and Responsibilities

The Microfabrication Engineer at Neuralink will be responsible for the development of micro‑fabricated medical devices including thin‑film microelectrode arrays used in preclinical and clinical studies within Neuralink. This includes developing process modules to push design and fabrication limits; performing metrology to monitor, test, and characterize in‑process progress; and providing detailed documentation of process steps, changes, and measurements.

• Design and physically realize next‑generation thin‑film microelectrode arrays.
• Develop and deploy advanced process integration schemes for thin‑film fabrication within production environments.
• Execute benchtop experiments to characterize the relationship between fabrication parameters, design, and product performance (e.g., impedance and longevity).
• Utilize statistical analysis on experimental data to drive data‑informed product improvement decisions.
• Sponsor in vivo studies to validate the physiological performance of novel designs and processes.
• Author comprehensive SOPs and technical documentation to standardize process activities across the team.
• Provide technical training and mentorship to team members on specialized study activities.
• Manage data collection and retention strategies to ensure high‑quality reporting and documentation at study completion.
• Contribute to the completion of study reports.
• Work with external vendors to align product requirements and communicate technical specifications.

Required Qualifications

• Evidence of exceptional ability in an engineering or physical science field
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or physical science
• 3+ years of academic or industry experience working with microfabrication technology
• Experience in experimental design, data collection and analysis, and scientific communication
• Comfortable working closely with hazardous substances and sensitive electronic devices in research and production environments
• Experience with analytic and microfabrication process equipment

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, or other related fields
• Experience with microfabricated device layout design
• Experience with working in high‑volume production environments

Additional Requirements and Competencies

• Ability to travel to/from and work in Fremont or Austin

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: $81,000 USD - $209,000 USD

What We Offer

• 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