Mechanical Engineer Intern, Materials

About Neuralink:

We are creating devices that enable a bi-directional interface with the brain. These devices allow us to restore movement to the paralyzed, restore sight to the blind, and revolutionize how humans interact with their digital world.

Team Description:

Join the Materials Engineering Team at Neuralink and be part of an elite and diverse team of materials engineers, chemists, and device engineers working on high-performance, biocompatible materials for the next-generation of brain-computer interfaces. We are looking for a materials/mechanical engineer capable of both building realistic mechanical models of material behaviors and performing  materials  testing  with in-house instrumentation. You will be an integral member of a small, fast-moving team with the opportunity to work closely with mechanical engineers and microfabrication experts on system integration and packaging solutions.

Job Description and Responsibilities:

The Materials Intern will be contributing to the development of high-density, reliable neural interfaces that are at the ground level of brain-computer-interfaces. This is a unique opportunity to work closely with a multi-disciplinary team in an environment where you will have direct impact on the next-gen product. The job responsibilities will include:

• Build, refine, and use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models to predict mechanical response, model material behavior under stress, and support material optimization.
• Use computational models to identify design weaknesses, optimize material selection and geometry, and reduce the need for physical prototyping.
• Evaluate and test the mechanical properties of implant materials under various adverse conditions to determine their performance and longevity.
• Operate high-precision testing instruments, including dynamic mechanical analyzers (DMA) and mechanical oscillators
• Assemble, calibrate, and operate components for Accelerated Lifetime Testing (ALT) systems.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to design custom fixtures and develop high-throughput testing equipment, incorporating accelerated aging and mechanical fatigue testing.

Required Qualifications: 

• Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, fabrication, or building and calibrating test equipment.
• Experience with mechanical design (Solidworks or similar CAD software, etc).
• Familiarity with the scientific principles of  Finite Element Analysis (FEA) involved in analyzing mechanical tests.
• Experience with the standard mechanical testing equipment (tensile tester, DMA, etc), user interfaces and familiarity with associated test standards (ASTM, etc).
• 2+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical testing.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Direct experience with FEA software (e.g., COMSOL, Abaqus, ANSYS) to model mechanical behavior.
• Experience with DMA, TMA, and/or other mechanical-related testing equipment.
• Experience calibrating and troubleshooting lab instrumentation for mechanical, electrochemical analysis.
• Experience with instrument operational software in addition to hardware for mechanical testing equipment.

Pay Transparency:

Based on California law, the following details are for California individuals only:

California Hourly Rate: 

$35/hr USD

What We Offer:

Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits listed below.

• An opportunity to change the world and work with some of the smartest and most talented experts from different fields
• Growth potential; we rapidly advance team members who have an outsized impact
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan
• Paid holidays
• Commuter benefits
• Meals provided
• Equity (RSUs) *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded
• 401(k) plan *Interns initially excluded until they work 1,000 hours
• Parental leave *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded
• Flexible time off *Temporary Employees & Interns excluded