Staff Process Engineer

Staff Process Engineer

Precision Neuroscience is building a next-generation brain–computer interface (BCI) to heal and empower millions of people living with neurological conditions. Our first product, Layer 7, is designed to help people with severe paralysis operate digital devices using only their thoughts—opening up new possibilities for daily life. Our team brings together experts in neurosurgery, AI and machine learning, microfabrication, electrical engineering, clinical science, and more. We combine deep technical rigor with a people-first mindset to turn breakthrough research into real-world medical solutions. As a Precision employee, you'll join one of the fastest-moving and best-capitalized companies in the emerging field of brain–computer interfaces.

We are seeking a Staff Process Engineer to lead front-end microfabrication process development for new products and R&D programs in our Addison, Texas facility. This role sits between R&D and production. You will take new device designs and process concepts from early R&D builds through qualification and release, and you will own the front-end flow that makes them manufacturable. We are looking for real depth in at least one front-end module, i.e. photolithography, thin-film deposition, or etch. We also want the integration judgment to see how a change in one layer shows up three steps downstream. You will design the experiments, run the tools, set the process windows, and write the documentation that lets a new process hand off cleanly to our sustaining team. You will also be a technical lead for the group. That means mentoring engineers and technicians, reviewing designs for manufacturability, and helping R&D decide what is buildable and when. This position will be based in our Addison, TX office. We are unable to consider remote workers or individuals who are not currently based in the US and legally authorized to work in the US.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead front-end process development for new products and R&D programs, from first-article builds through qualification and production release.
• Own the process flow for your module, and contribute to the integrated front-end flow across photolithography, thin-film deposition (PECVD, HDPCVD, and PVD), and etch (ICP RIE, DRIE, and wet).
• Be the technical depth for at least (1) front-end module.
• Set the process windows, understand the mechanisms behind them, and be the escalation point when that module misbehaves in development or production.
• Partner with R&D and device design on new device architectures and material stacks.
• Give design-for-manufacturability (DFM) feedback on layouts, design rules, and stack choices early, before they are locked.
• Drive process integration across modules: layer-to-layer interactions, adhesion, film stress, thermal budget, and compatibility with polymer, dielectric, and ceramic barrier stacks.
• Design and run DOEs and characterization plans with limited tool time and material.
• Use thickness and refractive index, stress, CD, etch rate and profile, FTIR, SEM, and defect inspection to understand the process, not just land a working recipe.
• Own process and equipment qualification for new processes and tools (SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ), including protocols, acceptance criteria, capability studies, and reports that hold up under the QMS for Class III implant manufacturing.
• Lead the handoff from development to production: process FMEA, control plans, SPC setup, SOPs and work instructions, operator and technician training, and a clean transfer to the sustaining team.
• Evaluate, specify, and bring up new front-end equipment and materials with vendors.
• Own the technical side of vendor relationships for your module.
• Plan and track the front-end portion of NPI builds with program management.
• Build the schedule, the risk list, and the material plan, and communicate status and tradeoffs clearly.
• Mentor process engineers and technicians.
• Review their experiment plans, data, and documentation, and help them get better at the work.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise Required:

• Education + experience: BS in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related technical field + 5–10 years relevant experience
• MS in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related technical field + 3–8 years relevant experience
• PhD in a related technical field + 1–5 years relevant experience
• Deep, hands-on expertise in at least (1) front-end microfabrication module, with working knowledge of the rest of the flow: Photolithography (resist processing, exposure, CD and overlay control, lift-off, thick and thin resists) Thin-film deposition (PECVD, HDPCVD, and PVD, both sputter and e-beam) Etch (ICP RIE, DRIE, and wet chemistry)
• A track record of taking processes from development through qualification and release into production (NPI, technology transfer, or pilot-to-production).
• Strong experimental design and data analysis: DOE, SPC, process capability (Cpk), and structured root-cause methods.
• Experience with film and process characterization (thickness, refractive index, stress, CD, etch rate, profilometry, SEM).
• Experience with process and equipment qualification (SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ), including writing the protocols and reports behind it.
• Proficiency in 2D layout and photolithography mask design (L-Edit or KLayout), including design rule development.
• Demonstrated technical leadership: mentoring engineers and technicians, leading a workstream, and influencing without direct authority.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including technical reports and presenting data to cross-functional and leadership audiences.
• Preferred: Experience in Class II or Class III medical device manufacturing under FDA QSR (21 CFR Part 820 / QMSR) or ISO 13485, including design transfer, process validation, and change control.
• Process integration experience on MEMS, thin-film, or flexible polymer-based devices.
• Neural interfaces or other biomedical microdevices are a plus.
• Experience with polymer substrates and dielectric or ceramic barrier stacks, including low thermal budget processing.
• Experience specifying and bringing up new front-end equipment, from purchase specification through SAT and release.
• Process FMEA and control plan experience.
• Data-analysis fluency (JMP, Minitab, Python, or equivalent).

Diverse workforces create the best culture, company, and products. We at Precision are committed to an inclusive culture that celebrates the uniqueness and contributions of everyone. As an equal opportunity employer, Precision does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The actual base salary offered is determined by a number of variables, including, as appropriate, the applicant's qualifications for the position, years of relevant experience, distinctive skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location of residence and/or place of employment. We prioritize candidate security. Please be aware that job offers will only come from emails ending with @ precisionneuro.io For roles based in Massachusetts: it is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Precision Neuroscience does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies, staffing firms, or third-party recruiters. Any resumes submitted without a prior written agreement and an authorized job order will be considered the property of Precision Neuroscience, and no fee will be owed in the event a candidate is hired. All qualified candidates should apply directly through our careers page.