Microfabrication Engineering Manager

Role details

Job Title: Microfabrication Engineering Manager

Location: Onsite 5x/week in San Diego

Base Compensation: $175k - $200k

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional Principal Microfabrication Engineer to lead the technical development of Synchron's next-generation, high-channel-count neural interfaces.

This is a highly technical leadership role focused on advancing flexible, polyimide-based microelectrode arrays designed for long-term implantation. Our technology presents unique challenges in thin-film materials, device architecture, microelectronics integration, and long-term reliability, with the ambitious goal of achieving device lifetimes measured in decades.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in microfabrication, a strong understanding of material interactions and failure mechanisms, and a passion for solving complex engineering challenges. You will serve as the primary technical authority for our microfabricated array technology, guiding critical design and process decisions, mentoring engineers, and identifying innovative approaches to advance device performance and reliability.

This role combines deep technical expertise with engineering management responsibilities. The ideal candidate is an accomplished microfabrication expert with a demonstrated ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing engineering teams while driving complex technical programs.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Innovation

• Lead the technical development of next-generation, high-channel-count, flexible thin-film neural electrode arrays.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact and subject matter expert for microfabrication technology across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Define and guide the development of thin-film material stacks, including polymer substrates, conductive layers, dielectric insulation, electrode materials, and protective coatings.
• Drive architectural and process decisions balancing electrical performance, mechanical flexibility, manufacturability, and long-term reliability.
• Identify and evaluate emerging materials, advanced fabrication techniques, and new technologies that could enable significant improvements in device capabilities.
• Maintain awareness of state-of-the-art MEMS fabrication equipment, processes, materials, and research developments, identifying opportunities to introduce new capabilities.
• Develop innovative material stacks and protective barrier strategies for devices intended to function reliably in the physiological environment for multiple decades.
• Collaborate closely with electrical, ASIC, mechanical, and packaging engineers to enable reliable integration of microfabricated arrays with advanced electronics.
• Contribute to the organization's technical roadmap and help establish long-term microfabrication capabilities.
• Manage and develop the microfabrication engineering team, including technical resource allocation, performance management, talent development, and execution of engineering priorities.
• Provide technical mentorship, design guidance, and problem-solving leadership to the microfabrication engineering team.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of engineering management experience, including direct supervision, technical mentorship, performance management, and development of multidisciplinary engineering teams, while maintaining hands-on technical leadership.
• Extensive hands-on experience developing complex microfabricated devices, thin-film technologies, or MEMS systems.
• Deep expertise in multilayer thin-film fabrication, including lithography, deposition, etching, and process integration.
• Experience with flexible thin-film devices, polymer-based substrates, or comparable advanced microfabricated structures.
• Strong understanding of material properties, thin-film interfaces, electrical insulation, and mechanical reliability.
• Experience integrating microfabricated devices with electronic components, interconnects, or semiconductor technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex technical development efforts and solve challenging multidisciplinary engineering problems.
• Strong technical communication skills and a demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and influence engineering decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing neural interfaces, microelectrode arrays, flexible bioelectronics, or implantable medical devices.
• Hands-on experience with atomic layer deposition (ALD), silicon carbide (SiC), or advanced thin-film barrier and encapsulation technologies.
• Expertise in designing devices for long-term reliability in physiological or other harsh environments.
• Experience with accelerated aging, electrochemical characterization, thin-film reliability testing, and failure analysis.
• Familiarity with emerging MEMS fabrication technologies, advanced deposition equipment, and novel material systems.
• Experience advancing microfabrication technologies from early research through process optimization and scalable manufacturing.
• A strong record of technical innovation, publications, patents, or significant contributions to advanced microfabricated technologies.