Role description

We are hiring a Founding Hardware Engineer to help build and operate the physical systems behind our process and prototyping stack.

This is a hands-on engineering role for someone comfortable working close to equipment, materials, manufacturing methods, and real-world constraints. You should be able to move between design, fabrication, assembly, troubleshooting, and safe lab execution.

What you will work on

- hardware systems for fabrication and process development
- lab and equipment setup, modification, and maintenance
- prototyping and fixture design for internal engineering workflows
- manufacturing methods for fast iteration and constrained builds
- practical engineering work that bridges process, mechanical, and electronics needs

Ideal background

We are especially interested in candidates with experience in several of the following:

- handling or working around hazardous materials
- cleanroom work or process-oriented lab environments
- manufacturing methods such as 3D printing, CNC machining, or sintering
- systems involving high-pressure gases
- working safely with acids, bases, and other chemically sensitive processes




- equipment troubleshooting, modification, and buildout
- resource-constrained hardware projects where speed and practicality matter

Qualifications

- Robust hands-on hardware engineering ability and comfort working directly with tools, equipment, and physical systems
- Experience with hazardous materials or safety-sensitive lab/manufacturing environments
- Experience with manufacturing and fabrication methods including at least some of: 3D printing, CNC manufacturing, sintering, gas handling, or wet chemistry processes
- Ability to design, build, debug, and improve hardware systems under practical budget, tooling, and schedule constraints
- Willingness to work across multiple disciplines in an early-stage environment

Helpful experience

- cleanroom experience
- electronics prototyping experience such as PCB design, breadboarding, instrumentation, or embedded bring-up
- semiconductor, materials, or advanced manufacturing exposure
- experience building tooling, fixtures, enclosures, or custom process hardware

📌 Founding Hardware Engineer (Alton)
🏢 MicroAlchemy
📍 Alton