Equipment Engineer - AMPeers
Location: Houston, TX, on-site
Department: Engineering
Salary: Based on experience
Background & Job Description:
Discovered at the University of Houston in 1987, high temperature superconducting (HTS) tape delivers dramatically higher current densities than copper and aluminum with near-zero resistance
AMPeers is a technology startup out of Houston, TX, developing next-generation REBCO high-temperature superconductor tapes and symmetric tape round (STAR®) superconducting wires. Spun out of the University of Houston, our technology enables the widespread adoption of superconductors in fusion magnets, power transmission, and next-generation energy systems.
To bring this technology from pilot scale to commercial production, AMPeers is building specialized manufacturing equipment and processes in-house. The Equipment Engineer will play a central role in designing, commissioning, and scaling the tools that enable reliable, high-throughput superconducting tape and wire production.
Job Responsibilities:
Design, build, and commission thin film vacuum deposition tools, with support from senior engineering staff on complex systems.
Develop motion, thermal, vacuum, gas delivery, and power subsystems for MOCVD, sputtering, e-beam evaporation, or ion-beam deposition platforms.
Generate build-ready CAD models and fabrication drawings. (Software: SolidWorks or other CAD)
Troubleshoot tools to improve throughput, uptime, and process repeatability.
Collaborate with manufacturing, safety, and operations to define hardware specs, BOMs, and reliability targets.
Support implementation of automation and software that enables operator-friendly, repeatable manufacturing.
Requirements:
Curiosity and comfort with ambiguous hardware problems.
Direct experience building or troubleshooting vacuum thin-film deposition tools.
Control systems experience across at least two of: motion, vacuum, thermal, flow, power.
BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or hands-on industry experience.
Preferred Requirements:
2+ years of tool ownership from concept-to-operation OR 3+ years relevant industrial equipment experience.
Experience with industrial automation stacks (Python, LabVIEW, embedded, PLC, etc.)
Cryogenic, superconducting, or thin-film materials exposure.
What we offer
Medical coverage (HMO and PPO plan options)
Dental coverage with 100% no-deductible preventive care
Vision coverage
Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance
401(k) plan with company contribution
AMPeers is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds.