Process Development Scientist

Agscent; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Agscent in Mountain View, CA is seeking a hands-on Process Development Scientist to advance sensor chip fabrication from development into manufacturing. You will work closely with the Chief Scientific Officer and cross-functional teams on deposition, characterization, and pilot production of nanomaterial sensor chips.

This full-time role requires strict adherence to SOPs and documenting batch records, with collaboration across product, technology, and ML teams to optimize sensor performance and

Qualifications

• Hands-on laboratory experience in materials/sensor/device fabrication labs.
• Degree in materials science, chemical engineering, applied chemistry, electrical engineering or related field.
• Ability to follow strict SOPs and create detailed batch records.
• Methodical and rigorous approach with clean data and interpretation.
• Strong problem-solving and prototyping mindset.
• Clear communication in a small, high-trust team.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate and characterize chips using manual and automated deposition techniques.
• Run bench experiments to study sensor response, drift, humidity effects, and cross-sensitivity.
• Integrate sensors into prototype hardware assemblies.
• Develop and refine chip fabrication process for pilot production.
• Run pilot production, document detailed batch records, follow SOPs.
• Collaborate with ML and software teams to connect sensor physics with model performance.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Analytical mindset

Documentation & batch records

Communication

Independent work

Education

Materials science

Chemical engineering

Applied chemistry

Electrical engineering

Tools

Thin-film deposition

Inkjet coating

Spray coating

Electrochemistry

Python

Job description

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a hands‑on, curious and resourceful Process Development Scentist to join our Mountain View laboratory. Reporting to our Chief Scientific Officer, working closely with Product & Technology on pilot production, you’ll work directly with our nanomaterial sensor chips and alongside the scientists who developed the technology. You’ll fabricate, characterize, test and iterate on the hardware at the core of our diagnostic system.

As Agscent Breath moves toward commercial launch, this role will also take our sensor chip from development into manufacturing. You’ll develop the deposition process and run pilot production of chips within a controlled, documented process. You’ll be part of a global team with colleagues in Australia.

This is a full‑time, ongoing role, although contract arrangements will also be considered for the right candidate. Because this is a laboratory role, it is based on site in Mountain View, CA, for a minimum of four days per week. All candidates must hold existing working rights in the United States to be considered.

What You'll Bring

• Hands‑on laboratory experience in a similar environment, such as a materials, sensor or device fabrication lab


• A degree in materials science, chemical engineering, applied chemistry, electrical engineering or a closely related field


• The ability to work within a strict, controlled production process, including following SOPs and creating detailed batch records


• A methodical and rigorous approach: good experimental design, clean data and honest interpretation


• Strong problem‑solving instincts and a preference for prototyping and iterating over waiting for perfect information


• Clear communication skills and comfort working in a small, high‑trust team

Highly Regarded

• Prior experience in gas sensing or biosensors


• Proficiency in Python for data analysis


• Exposure to thin‑film deposition, inkjet or spray coating, or electrochemistry

What You’ll Do

Sensor Fabrication, Testing & Integration

• Fabricate and characterize chips using manual and automated nanomaterial deposition techniques


• Run systematic bench experiments covering sensor response, baseline drift, humidity effects and cross‑sensitivity


• Instrument and integrate sensors into prototype hardware assemblies

Process Development & Pilot Production

• Develop and refine the chip fabrication process on our deposition equipment


• Run and take responsibility for pilot production runs, following SOPs and completing detailed batch records


• Help bring the sensor chip from development into manufacturing


• Contribute to technical documentation, experimental logs and data analysis


• Collaborate with the ML and software teams to close the loop between sensor physics and model performance

Who Thrives Here

• Self‑starter with a can‑do attitude who thrives in a fast‑paced startup environment


• Able to operate independently and drive technical execution without constant oversight


• Brings energy and momentum to every project


• Highly productive and self‑motivated


• Comfortable taking ownership of complex challenges


• Enjoys autonomy to build systems and processes while delivering results


• At home at the bench: enjoys making things, testing things and figuring out why they don’t work

Why Join Agscent?

• Be part of a global deep‑tech start‑up taking a sensor and ML diagnostic from prototype to commercial launch


• Help build a quality management system aligned to ISO 13485 and ISO 9001, gaining skills that transfer directly to medical device and regulated‑industry careers


• Work closely with Agscent’s Product & Technology team, with exposure to materials, hardware, ML and regulatory work across a real NPI program


• Get hands‑on with real hardware from day one