Probe Engineer
Astera Institute is an active nonprofit research institute and foundation that operates in-house neuroscience-informed AI research and funds, operates, and supports open-science programs and public goods.
About Astera Institute
Astera operates three divisions: Neuro-AI, Radial life-sciences research, and its Foundation. Its AI work pursues neuroscience-informed approaches to artificial general intelligence, while its foundation and Radial activities support open scientific infrastructure, datasets, research programs, and residencies.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will develop neural probes, insertion tools, signal-acquisition systems, and precision robotics. You will work across mechanical design, microfabrication, control software, validation, and system integration to take hardware from concept into the recording rig.
Requirements
- Mechanical design
- Prototyping
- CAD
- Electromechanical system
- Robotics
- Motion control
- Servo control
- Linear motor
- Microfabrication
- Thin-film process
- Photolithography
- Deposition
- Etching
- Cleanroom
- Real-time control
- Python
- C
- C++
- Embedded system
- FPGA
- RTOS
- Signal acquisition
- Electronics
- Neuroscience
- Electrode electrochemistry
- Machine vision
- Medical device
- MEMS
- System integration
Responsibilities
- Design flexible high-density neural probes
- Build probe-to-chip integration and readout signal chains
- Design insertion needles and needle-pincher mechanisms
- Develop insertion strategies for flexible probes
- Build precision insertion robots and real-time controls
- Develop machine-vision guidance for robotic insertion
- Build electrode characterization, fabrication, and reliability-testing pipelines
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package