Research Engineer II / Senior Research Engineer

NeuroBionics; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

401(k) with match

3 weeks vacation + company shutdown

Job summary

NeuroBionics in Somerville, MA is seeking a Research Engineer to design and fabricate the fibers, tooling, and manufacturing processes behind our fiber-based neural interfaces. This hands-on role blends mechanical design, CAD, 3D printing, and Arduino-based automation to scale production of evFiber and IO fiber designs.

You'll lead jig design, process development, and documentation, while training technicians to build IO fibers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline.
• 4+ years of experience designing and building mechanical/electromechanical products.
• Experience designing and building jigs and Arduino-controlled devices.
• Strong 3D design, CAD, and 3D printing experience.
• Experience with mechanical characterization and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Independent, self-directed problem solver with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Design and build jigs and mechanical rigs with Arduino-based control.
• Create CAD designs and 3D print tooling for manufacturing and IO fiber development/optimization.

Skills

Mechanical design

Arduino control

3D CAD

3D printing

FEA

Materials science

Mechatronics

Problem solving

Education

Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science

Tools

CAD software

3D printing

Job description

About NeuroBionics

NeuroBionics, an MIT neurotechnology spinout, is developing implantable neural interfaces built from microscale, flexible, bioelectronic fibers — delivered through minimally invasive endovascular approaches. By making neural interfacing minimally invasive, we aim to broaden access to life-changing neuromodulation therapies for millions of patients

About The Role

We are seeking a Research Engineer to join our engineering team designing and fabricating the fibers, tooling, and manufacturing processes behind NeuroBionics' fiber-based neural interfaces. This is a hands-on mechanical engineering role for someone who can characterize a fiber's mechanical and material properties, model and simulate mechanical behavior (FEA), and design an Arduino-controlled rig to automate a manufacturing step. You'll design and fabricate fibers for both our evFiber (endovascular neuromodulation) and emerging IO fiber designs (research neural probe, supported by an NSF grant), lead process improvements for IO fiber connectorization, and help build the rigs, jigs, and documentation that let our manufacturing team build fibers reliably and at scale. Job title will be adjusted based on experience. This role is on-site in Somerville, MA.

What you’ll do: Duties and Responsibilities

Rig/Jig Design & Automation

• Design and build jigs and mechanical rigs to support manufacturing steps, incorporating motors, actuators, and Arduino-based control/light automation.
• Apply solid mechanical design skills, with a track record of similar past projects.

CAD Design & 3D Printing

• Design components and tooling in CAD and produce them via 3D printing to support both manufacturing and IO fiber development/optimization.

IO Fiber Connectorization Process Leadership

• Lead the optimization of the IO fiber connectorization process, including new PCB designs, new 3D-printed connector designs, and other process improvements.
• Design and build rigs/jigs that improve the connectorization process.

Process Development, Documentation, & Manufacturing Transfer

• Develop SOPs, work instructions, and other documentation for IO fiber manufacturing.
• Make the process runnable by someone who isn't you: Support and train manufacturing technicians to build IO fibers using the processes you develop and optimize.

Fiber Characterization

• Mechanical: measure and characterize fiber mechanical properties, including tensile testing, bend forces, and pull force measurement (e.g., Instron); use mechanical simulation and modeling (FEA) to inform design choices.
• Chemical/Materials: characterize solvent and etch compatibility of polymers; understand glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal processing behavior; ideally apply FTIR and other materials analysis methods.

Fiber Design and Fabrication

• Design and fabricate functional fibers and fiber preforms in support of both evFiber and IO Fiber production.

Required

Your Experience & Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.
• 4+ years of experience working as an engineer on physical products.
• Demonstrated experience designing and building jigs and electromechanical devices (Arduino control or similar).
• Demonstrated 3D design, CAD, and 3D printing experience.
• Experience with mechanical characterization, modeling, and simulation: tensile, bend, and pull force measurement, and finite element analysis (FEA).
• Solid grasp of mechanical engineering, mechatronics, and materials science concepts.
• Independent, self-directed problem solver comfortable taking the lead on projects, with excellent attention to detail and quality.

Preferred

• Experience in materials characterization techniques (FTIR, SEM, TGA)
• Experience with machining, including mill and lathe.
• Experience with PCB design and soldering of small components.
• Excellent fine motor skills and demonstrated ability to work under a microscope on fine components with tweezers.

What We Offer

• Mission-driven and collaborative work environment
• Competitive and experience-guided compensation with strong equity package
• 3 weeks flexible vacation + 1.5 weeks company shutdown
• Comprehensive benefits plan including:
  • Health, dental and vision insurance
  • Parental & medical leave
  • Life and long-term disability insurance
  • 401(k)
  • Health & wellness benefit
• Opportunity to work at a fast-growing startup on one of the most impactful problems in neurotechnology and help change patients’ lives