About Atomic Semi
Atomic Semi is building a small, fast semiconductor fab.
It’s already possible to build this with today’s technology and a few simplifications. We’ll build the tools ourselves so we can quickly iterate and improve.
We’re building a small team of exceptional, hands-on engineers to make this happen. Mechanical, electrical, hardware, computer, and process. We’ll own the stack from atoms to architecture. Our team is optimistic about the future and we want to continue pushing the limits of technology.
Smaller is better. Faster is better. Building it ourselves is better.
We believe our team and lab can build anything. We’ve set up 3D printers, a wide array of microscopes, e-beam writers, general fabrication equipment - and whatever is missing, we’ll just invent along the way.
Atomic was founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. Sam is best known for making chips in his garage, and Jim has been a leader in the semiconductor industry for the past 40 years.
About the team
The Positioning Team operates on the nanometer scale. We make lithography, metrology and motion systems that pattern, inspect and characterize our chips in order to push our process to lower nodes.
About the role
We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Mechanical Engineer to join our team. You will be responsible for designing, prototyping, and building the mechanical systems in our semiconductor fabrication equipment, from stages and frames up to complete systems.
This role is for someone who has internalized precision machine design as a discipline and has a proven track record of rapidly prototyping complex precision systems and advancing them to the next stage of production. Our philosophy is to get things built and tested in days or weeks, not months. Because of this, a portfolio is generally required to apply: show us the things you’ve actually built!
Responsibilities
Design and iterate on precision machines, motion stages, structural loops, metrology frames, opto-mechanical mounts, test fixtures, and inspection tooling targeting sub-micron to nanometer performance
Lead mechanical system integration, alignment procedures, and cross-team coordination with electrical, controls, and optics engineers
Drive mechanical design of frames, stages, and assemblies with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and a practical eye toward manufacturability and assembly
Rapidly prototype, build and characterize new designs on the bench using a variety of tools and characterization equipment
Select and integrate precision components: bearings, encoders, interferometers, actuators, isolators, and dampers
Develop error budgets and tolerance stack-ups; identify and mitigate dominant error sources (thermal, vibrational, structural, kinematic)
Required Experience
3 years designing and building precision mechanical systems that had to hit real accuracy and repeatability targets
Working fluency in precision machine design fundamentals: exact-constraint design, kinematic couplings, flexures, error budgeting, structural loops, tolerance analysis
Hands-on prototyping, fabrication, assembly, and alignment experience — you're comfortable on a mill, on a granite surface plate, and behind an interferometer
Experience selecting and integrating precision components (bearings, stages, encoders, isolators, actuators)
Experience with dimensional metrology: interferometry, LVDTs, capacitance probes, autocollimators, and CMMs
Nice-to-have
Formal training in precision engineering
Experience at an early-stage startup
Familiarity with firmware, controls, or electrical engineering
Opto-mechanical design and alignment experience
Working at Atomic Semi
We’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and offices in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA.
Compensation: Atomic Semi is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The annual salary range for this role is $115,000 – $180,000. Compensation is determined based on your qualifications and experience. Our total compensation package also includes generous equity in Atomic Semi.
Benefits: Atomic Semi offers the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Generous Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time
Visa Sponsorship
Life and Disability Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
401(k) retirement plan
Weekly Learning & Development opportunities
Commuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office
Lunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts
We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.
Export Control Analysis: This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.
What We Do
Atomic Semi is building a small, fast semiconductor fab. We’ll build the tools ourselves then quickly push them to more advanced geometries. We’re building a small team of exceptional, hands-on engineers to make this happen.
