Senior R&D Engineer

Current Surgical Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Current Surgical Inc. is seeking a senior R&D scientist/engineer to join a startup developing a smart microinvasive needle that precisely destroys tumors while sparing healthy tissue.

You will work with the co-founders to design, test, and refine the clinical prototype across biophysics, image processing, and real‑time signal processing. You will lead benchtop and preclinical experiments, collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams, and engage clinicians and fundraising efforts.

Qualifications

• PhD in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, medical physics, or closely related fields.
• MS or BS with 4-5 years of equivalent work experience will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead benchtop and preclinical experiments.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams.
• Interface with clinicians and fundraising efforts.

Skills

Biophysics

Image processing

Deep learning

Ultrasound prototyping

Electronics & PCB design

Leadership

Communication

Python/ Matlab

Education

PhD in EE/BME/CS/Medical Physics

MS/BS with 4-5 years experience

Tools

Verasonics

Cephasonics

3D printing

Schematic capture / PCB design

Job description

About Current Surgical Inc.

Current Surgical is a startup company developing technology on the frontier of engineering and biology. Our first product is a smart microinvasive needle that precisely destroys tumors without damaging healthy tissue, allowing doctors to treat cancers that are untreatable today.

Our technology is backed by the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and top tier venture capital firms (True Ventures, 1517, and SciFounders) interested in dramatically improving the accuracy and accessibility of surgery.

About you

We are looking for a senior R&D scientist/engineer who is excited to develop technology at the frontier of medical devices and precision surgery. You will work directly with the co-founders to design, develop, and test our clinical prototype. This is a difficult hands‑on engineering challenge that integrates biophysics, image processing, deep learning, novel electronics, ultrasound, and real‑time signal processing.

The ideal candidate is someone who is interested in working at a startup and is eager to challenge their technical development. This is a unique opportunity to work across many areas of a hardtech biomedical startup, including preclinical studies, interfacing with clinicians, and fundraising. We are expecting you to lead key benchtop and preclinical experiments. It also requires a multidisciplinary approach, working with the mechanical, electrical, and software teams to achieve our fundamental clinical goals. As we grow, we envision this role growing into a leadership role. This is an ideal role for recent PhD graduates looking to accelerate their career development in industry.

Educational background

• PhD in the fields of electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, computer science, medical physics, and/or closely related fields.
• MS or BS with 4-5 years of equivalent work experience (industry or academia) will also be considered.

Desired skills

• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and independent; desire to grow into a leadership role
• Excellent technical and analytical capability, coupled with strong written and verbal communication skills
• High level of emotional intelligence and ability to build and manage diverse relationships (including clinical collaborators)
• Experience developing and executing complex experimental protocols in ex vivo and/or in vivo settings
• General knowledge of medical imaging (e.g. ultrasound, CT, MRI) and image guided surgery
• Familiarity with basic mechanical design and rapid prototyping (e.g. 3D printing, laser cutting, etc.)
• Knowledge of Python or Matlab for processing test results and test and measurement automation
• Experience with ultrasound prototyping hardware is a plus (e.g., Verasonics, Cephasonics)
• Experience applying image processing, computer vision, and/or deep learning techniques to medical images is a plus
• Basic electronics experience (e.g. fabrication, troubleshooting, schematic capture, PCB design) is a plus