Lead Process Engineer

Los Angeles, CA (in-person)About ArcturusArcturus is creating a new wire technology stack that uses carbon nanomaterials to overcome the materials limitations of metals where performance breaks down, at real operating temperatures. Our technology is designed to significantly improve the performance of electric motors for drones and robotics, heat sinks, and ultimately the entire energy grid. At its core, Arcturus is developing a new class of carbon nanomaterial-infused metal matrix composites for high-performance conductor applications.Why you should join usThis is a ground-floor opportunity to help build something that has never been done before.You would join as a founding engineer and become Arcturus’ first processing engineer, with the chance to define the company’s strategy from the beginning. As the founding process engineer, you’ll work directly with the founder/CEO to shape the technical direction of the company, translate scientific insight into real product performance, and help build a category-defining materials platform from scratch.PurposeWe are seeking a Lead Processing Engineer who can own the end-to-end process flow that turns early prototypes into reliable, repeatable, and scalable conductor products. This is a hands-on leadership role spanning feedstock preparation, build recipes, carbon infusion or growth steps, post-processing, QA controls, documentation, and pilot readiness.The roleThis role reports directly to the CEOEnd-to-end process ownershipOwn Arcturus’ R&D-to-pilot process flow, from feedstock handling and preparation through LPBF/DED processing, carbon infusion or growth steps, post-processing, finishing, inspection, and sample releaseTranslate early technical learnings into repeatable process recipes, standard work, process flow diagrams, and controlled operating proceduresDefine critical process parameters and critical quality attributes across each step of the conductor manufacturing flowEstablish pragmatic process controls that preserve electrical conductivity, thermal performance, mechanical integrity, and nanomaterial stabilityPartner with additive manufacturing and nanomaterials leads to ensure each process step is technically sound, measurable, and scalableProcess development and optimizationBuild and run a disciplined design of experiments (DOE) cadence to expand process windows, improve repeatability, increase yield, and reduce cycle timeDevelop process maps that connect feedstock, atmosphere, laser parameters, thermal history, growth or infusion conditions, and post-processing to final material performanceIdentify bottlenecks, failure modes, and sources of variation, then drive practical solutions that improve consistency and throughputUse data analysis, structured root-cause methods, and hands-on experimentation to troubleshoot failed builds, inconsistent samples, or missed performance targetsHelp decide when a process is ready to move from exploratory R&D to controlled development and eventually pilot productionQuality, documentation, and pilot readinessBuild startup-appropriate quality systems, including control plans, lot tracking, travelers, acceptance criteria, test plans, and traceable build recordsWrite and maintain process specifications, work instructions, checklists, and documentation that technicians and engineers can actually useDefine sample release criteria for internal testing, third-party validation, customer demos, and pilot programsSupport process qualification plans for conductor materials, printed parts, and wire forms as Arcturus moves toward external validationTrack process health metrics such as yield, repeatability, build success rate, cycle time, material usage, and throughputCross-functional leadershipPartner closely with nanomaterials, additive manufacturing, characterization, mechanical, and product engineering to tie process variables to conductivity, thermal performance, mechanical properties, and reliabilityOwn process-facing vendor and partner relationships, including equipment suppliers, metrology providers, external test labs, and validation partnersHelp translate characterization results into material specs, process windows, acceptance criteria, and clear technical decisionsHire and lead process engineers, technicians, and operators as the team scalesContribute to invention disclosures, patent strategy, and internal technical documentation with a high bar for rigor and clarityBasic QualificationsBS, MS, or PhD in materials science, metallurgical engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, physics, or a related field8+ years of hands-on process engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials processing, or advanced process development experienceDeep experience developing and scaling complex manufacturing processes in a hardware, materials, or advanced manufacturing environmentStrong understanding of process-structure-property relationships in metals, metal matrix composites, or other high-performance material systemsExperience using DOE, statistical analysis, process controls, and structured root-cause methods to improve yield, repeatability, and performanceStrong scientific and technical writing skills, including clear documentation of process development, test plans, specifications, and invention disclosuresPreferred QualificationsExperience with LPBF, DED, laser processing, welding, CVD/LCVD/LACVD, high-temperature gas processes, or related advanced manufacturing methodsExperience with aluminum, copper, conductor materials, or metal matrix compositesDirect experience with carbon nanomaterial-metal composites, covetics, graphene, carbon nanotubes, or carbon-metal interface engineeringExperience building process controls for new materials, new equipment, or first-of-its-kind manufacturing workflowsFamiliarity with conductor, cable, automotive, aerospace, energy, or utility qualification pathwaysExperience working in a startup or fast-paced R&D-to-manufacturing environmentWhat we offerCompetitive cash compensation and meaningful equityScientific ownership with direct product impactThe chance to define the playbook for nanomaterial-enhanced conductorsRelocation support for candidates moving from outside the Los Angeles areaVisa sponsorship for highly qualified candidates (H-1B transfers, F-1, or STEM OTP)