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Periodic Labs

Mechanical Engineer

Menlo Park$200k–$300kfulltimemidAdded 3 days ago

About this role

Periodic Labs is hiring a Mechanical Engineer to design and build integrated lab automation systems that support materials synthesis and characterization. You'll translate scientific needs into hardware specifications, own mechanical design end-to-end from concept through fabrication and operational deployment, and work closely with materials scientists and AI systems.

What you'll do

  • Design and own mechanical systems for lab automation, including gloveboxes, furnaces, presses, and deposition equipment
  • Collaborate with materials scientists to discover requirements and translate scientific workflows into clear engineering specifications
  • Produce CAD models, mechanical drawings, GD&T documentation, and design specifications for in-house and subcontracted manufacturing
  • Manage hands-on assembly, fabrication, and manufacturing coordination across machining, additive, sheet metal, and welding
  • Program and troubleshoot robots and automated systems integrated into lab workflows
  • Apply safety-first thinking throughout design, build, and operational bring-up phases

What they're looking for

  • Mechanical design and CAD (Onshape or equivalent)
  • Hand calculations and structural analysis
  • Manufacturing processes (machining, additive, sheet metal, welding)
  • Requirements gathering and technical documentation (GD&T)
  • Robot programming and lab automation systems
  • Hands-on hardware assembly and troubleshooting
  • High-temperature and materials-handling design
  • Test planning and system bring-up

Benefits

  • Work on frontier materials science with AI-driven discovery
  • Hands-on impact from concept through operational systems
  • Close collaboration with multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers
  • Visa sponsorship available
  • Growing, well-funded company operating at frontier pace
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Periodic Labs

Periodic Labs builds AI systems and autonomous lab infrastructure to accelerate materials discovery and scientific research, integrating machine learning with physical lab workflows and quantum simulation. The company is hiring for infrastructure engineers, product engineers, research engineers, and deployment specialists who bridge AI models with materials scientists and lab automation systems.

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Likely interview questions

  • Walk us through a mechanical design project where you translated vague scientific or user requirements into clear engineering specs—how did you discover the real needs?
  • Describe your experience managing subcontracted manufacturing. How do you ensure quality and stay on schedule with different vendors?
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