Equipment Engineer

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.