About the role
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.