At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative semiconductor hardware design and tackle complex engineering challenges.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge tech company revolutionising manufacturing with AI-native systems.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, stock options, health insurance, and flexible work hours.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent growth opportunities and a focus on diversity.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of semiconductor innovation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in semiconductor engineering and strong part design skills required.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 200000 £ per year.
SENIOR DESIGN ENGINEER (SEMICONDUCTOR MACHINERY HARDWARE)
Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation.
By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.
Freeform is hiring a Senior Design Engineer focused on semiconductor hardware to sit at the intersection of advanced part design and additive manufacturing.
This is a deeply technical senior engineering role responsible for rethinking how semiconductor machinery hardware is conceived, designed, and produced.
Not just adapting existing parts for a new process, but fundamentally reimagining what's possible when legacy design constraints no longer apply.
You will own complex design challenges end-to-end, working hands-on with some of the most precise and demanding hardware in the industry, and serve as a technical authority on where Freeform's platform unlocks performance regimes, architectures, and geometries that were previously impractical or impossible.
The ideal candidate is a highly experienced mechanical engineer with deep intuition for part design, an intimate understanding of semiconductor fabrication machinery and equipment, and a track record of leading technical work on complex hardware programs.
They understand semiconductor hardware at a component and systems level, can independently drive and mentor others on manufacturability, materials, tolerances, and performance tradeoffs, and are excited by the creative challenge of designing parts from first principles.
The core draw of this role is the engineering itself, though this person will also serve as a senior technical voice engaging directly with some of the most sophisticated semiconductor engineering teams in the industry
Responsibilities
- Drive part design and redesign across a broad range of semiconductor machinery hardware, including:
- Wafer handling, robotic end-effectors, and vacuum-compatible armatures
- Thermal management hardware and high-precision cold plates
- Ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chambers and internal components
- Gas delivery manifolds and high-purity fluid systems
- Lithography tool structural components and precision optics mounts
- Pedestals and showerhead assemblies for deposition tools
- Develop and own deep component-level understanding of requirements, performance drivers, and system constraints within semiconductor fabrication equipment
- Lead first-principles part redesigns, identifying where additive manufacturing enables new geometries, consolidated assemblies, improved performance, or reduced cost and lead time
- Define and evaluate design concepts with expert command of materials, tolerances, thermal and structural behavior, and production considerations
- Serve as a senior technical resource - independently resolving advanced questions related to design tradeoffs, process capabilities, qualification pathways, and production scalability, and helping guide less experienced engineers
- Partner closely with internal engineering and operations teams to drive feasibility, refine concepts, and own execution outcomes
- Lead technical engagements with customer engineering teams to understand application requirements, present design solutions, and establish deep technical credibility at a senior level
- Identify, scope, and champion new application spaces where Freeform's technology can deliver step-change improvements over conventional manufacturing
- Shape Freeform's product, process, and technology roadmap through field-informed technical leadership and strategic input
- Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or closely related technical discipline
- 5+ years of experience in a hands-on engineering role within the semiconductor equipment or fabrication industry
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex hardware programs from concept through qualification and production
- Expert intuition for part design, design-for-manufacturing, and how component geometry relates to performance and producibility
- Deep systems-level understanding of semiconductor fabrication hardware and how components interact within larger assemblies
- Nice to Have
- 10+ years of experience in a hands-on engineering role within the semiconductor equipment or fabrication industry
- Experience designing or analyzing wafer handling systems, vacuum hardware, thermal management components, fluid delivery systems, or precision structural assemblies
- Familiarity with metal manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing, casting, forging, or advanced machining
- Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical direction on hardware development programs
- Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders
- Strong first-principles reasoning and comfort driving decisions in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
- Strategic thinker with an instinct for where emerging technology can unlock the most value
- Team player, positive attitude, growth mindset, integrity, accountability, adaptability, entrepreneurial, driven, results-oriented and ethical
- Location
- Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof.
We operate at the center of LA's deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.
- Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.
What We Offer
- We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.
- We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology.
- Benefits
- Significant stock option packages
- 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)
- Life insurance
- Traditional and Roth 401(k)
- Relocation assistance provided
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
- Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent
- Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette
- Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events
- Compensation
- As a growing company, the salary range is intentionally wide as we determine the most appropriate package for each individual taking into consideration years of experience, educational background, and unique skills and abilities as demonstrated throughout the interview process.
Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company’s current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role.
- In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $150,000-$200,000.
The upper end of the range is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional experience, deep domain mastery, and a proven history of high performance and impact.
- Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Design Engineer (Semiconductor Machinery Hardware) in Tipton employer: Socket.dev
Multiverse is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the heart of Edinburgh. With a commitment to employee growth through comprehensive upskilling opportunities and a robust benefits package, including generous holiday allowances and health support, Multiverse empowers its team to thrive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Join us to be part of a mission-driven company that values diversity and inclusion while shaping the future of education and workforce development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Design Engineer (Semiconductor Machinery Hardware) in Tipton
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Socket.dev.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Socket.dev love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Socket.dev and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Engineer (Semiconductor Machinery Hardware) in Tipton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Socket.dev and the Senior Design Engineer (Semiconductor Machinery Hardware) role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Socket.dev
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Socket.dev.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Socket.dev.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Socket.dev, making you a more appealing candidate.
