2026 PhD / Master's Residency - Revolutionary Nanodevice Measurement and Characterization, Early Stage Project
THE FOUNDATION OF AN AMAZING JOURNEY
Our goal at X is to make the world a radically better place. In order to do that we seek fresh unexpected perspectives, from different fields, and that’s why we’re excited about you.
Life here isn’t easy, but it’s fun. We’re trying to build things most people can’t even imagine, and we’re doing it with the hope of making a huge, positive impact on the world. You’ll be embedded into a moonshot project, where you’ll partner with team members to solve key challenges.
This isn’t your ordinary internship. You’ll be positively challenged and pushed professionally, in ways that you may have never experienced. If this excites you - keep reading.
How you will make 10x impact:
Imagine working on a series of devices that when mass produced, would change the world in multiple metrics by at least 10x if not 100 - 1000x. We're looking for a candidate to help us test and characterize these devices, and contribute to design and fabrication improvements!
- Lead efforts to test novel, potentially world-changing nanodevices and develop and optimize experimental setups
- Measure devices (on wafer or packaged) and analyze data, using:
- Manual / Automated wafer probe station
- Nano volt/amp level signals
- 4 wire (Kelvin) measurement techniques
- Thermoelectric offset control and compensation
- Document experimental procedures and results
- Present technical information clearly to both internal and external audiences
- Work cross-functionally with experts across electrical and mechanical engineering, rapid prototyping, and physics
- Engage with the resident community during the program (attending tech talks, and learning moonshot thinking), and most importantly HAVE FUN!
This project aims to push the limits of science and modeling as we know them and to prove how ML can radically accelerate our understanding of the world
- Location: X's headquarters in Mountain View, CA
- Start Date(s): Summer 2026
- Duration: a flexible 6 mo. to 1 year program based on project team needs and your availability
Throughout your AI Residency you can expect:
- To be embedded into one of our confidential or public X projects
- To get paid competitively and receive benefits
- To be a part of a lively community of AI and ML Residents
- To attend tech-talks with AI leaders from across X
What you should have:
- Currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD program in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field.
- Experience measuring signals like voltage and current, quantifying noise levels, and analyzing instrument and measurement accuracy and precision.
- Experience in precision measurement challenges including low level noise analysis and prevention (Johnson, Shot, thermoelectric, photoelectric, common mode and differential mode, EMI), and SNR optimization through analog filtering and digital signal processing.
It’d be great if you also had these:
- Experience with semiconductor or MEMs device fabrication and prototyping tools such as photolithography, spin coating, PVD, ALD, RIE, and metrology and inspection tools such as SEM, confocal microscope, and ellipsometer.
- Python or similar programming experience for e.g. data analysis and lab automation.
Additional public information:
https://www.wired.com/video/watch/astro-teller-captain-of-moonshots-at-x-speaks-at-wired25
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2019-10-10/alphabet-x-s-astro-teller-on-bloomberg-studio-1-0-video
The US base salary range for this position is $125,000 - $147,000 + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include benefits.
Skills Required
- Currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD program in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related field.
- Experience measuring voltage and current signals, quantifying noise levels, and analyzing instrument measurement accuracy and precision.
- Experience with precision low-level noise analysis and prevention (Johnson, shot, thermoelectric, photoelectric, EMI), and SNR optimization via analog filtering and digital signal processing.
X, The Moonshot Factory Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about X, The Moonshot Factory and has not been reviewed or approved by X, The Moonshot Factory.
-
Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive for core technical and senior roles, with employer-posted ranges and clear statements that total compensation includes base, bonus, equity, and benefits. Feedback suggests posted bands and explicit structure provide clarity on how pay is constructed.
-
Parental & Family Support — Family support is described as generous, including paid parental leave, baby bonding, and transitional support for parents returning to work. Fertility treatments and maternity care are also covered, indicating depth in family-focused provisions.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement programs include a 401(k) with a notable company match and immediate vesting of matched funds. Additional financial supports such as student loan reimbursement and coaching strengthen long-term financial security.
X, The Moonshot Factory Insights
Similar Jobs
What We Do
We create breakthrough technologies to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems. Born at Google, we got our start creating self-driving cars and smart glasses. Since then, we’ve continued to bring sci-fi ideas into reality.
