WindBorne Systems is supercharging weather models with a unique proprietary data source: a global constellation of next-generation smart weather balloons targeting the most critical atmospheric data. We design, manufacture, and operate our own balloons, using the data they collect to generate otherwise unattainable weather intelligence.
Our mission is to eliminate weather uncertainty, and in the process help humanity adapt to climate change, be that predicting hurricanes or speeding the adoption of renewables. We are building a future in which the planet is instrumented by thousands of our microballoons, eliminating gaps in our understanding of the planet and giving people and businesses the information they need to make critical decisions. The founding team of Stanford engineers was named Forbes 2019 30 under 30 and is backed by top-tier investors, including Khosla Ventures and Footwork VC.
WindBorne is looking for a Web Handling/Film Converting Expert who knows exactly what those terms mean and why they matter. We need to scale our balloon manufacturing process to meet demand, and we believe your expertise in handling thin films at industrial scales is exactly what we need. If you've spent years wrestling with web tension control systems, designing nip rollers, or optimizing film handling processes, we want your expertise.
This isn't your typical manufacturing role. We're building systems that need to reliably produce ultra-lightweight balloons at scale - combining proven industrial processes with novel challenges unique to our application. You'll be working directly with our CTO and R&D team to not just scale our production 100x, but to fundamentally rethink how we build our balloons. We need someone who can bridge the gap between traditional manufacturing expertise and startup innovation.
The role combines the best aspects of industrial manufacturing (proven processes, rigorous engineering) with the excitement of a cutting-edge startup. You'll have the chance to design entirely new manufacturing systems while drawing on your years of experience in web handling and film converting. Whether you're coming from the packaging industry, plastics manufacturing, or another related field, if you're excited about applying your expertise to new challenges, we'd love to talk.
ResponsibilitiesDesign and own a system to help scale our balloon manufacturing process by 100x
Work with the CTO and R&D Engineers to make our balloons both more performant and more manufacturable
Identify manufacturing issues and design and implement solutions
Interface with technicians to teach new procedures and tools
Skills and QualificationsRequired
Years of experience designing web handling and/or film converting machines
Desire to join a fast paced startup
Excellent communication skills
Proficiency in mechanical CAD and 3D modeling (we use SolidWorks)
Experience working with outside manufactures and suppliers
A solid understanding of physics
Nice to have
Bachelor’s degree or higher in an Engineering field such as Mechanical Engineering
Basic proficiency with the Linux operating systems
Experience with rapid prototyping tools like 3D printing, laser cutting
Contacts in the plastics manufacturing industry
Benefits401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Vision insurance
Unlimited PTO
Stock Option Plan
Office food and beverages
$70,000- $150,000** We are considering a range of backgrounds and experience levels for this position and adjust our offers accordingly to be competitive with market rates.
858 San Antonio Rd, Palo Alto, CA. In person required.
Top Skills
What We Do
Creating weather certainty. WindBorne fuses unparalleled data from our constellation of smart, long-duration sensing balloons with state-of-the-art AI forecasts.
