Echo Neurotechnologies

Implantable brain-computer interface enabling communication

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Design EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeSan Francisco, CA, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Materials Science is required; a master's degree or Ph.D. is preferred.
Seven or more years of mechanical design experience, ideally with Class III active implantable medical devices, including taking designs through verification and validation, design for manufacturing, and production.
Demonstrated experience managing or partnering with contract manufacturers on process transfer, tooling qualification, and scale-up.
Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, PTC Creo, or equivalent 3D modeling software.
Deep understanding of micro-machining, injection molding, hermetic sealing, and the mechanical challenges of ultra-flexible, multi-contact implantable components.
Familiarity with FDA 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, and ISO 14708 for active implantable devices.
Meticulous attention to detail, complex spatial problem-solving, and empathy for patients who rely on the technology.

Responsibilities

Own the mechanical architecture, design, development, and scale-up of a brain-space active implantable product toward high-volume manufacturing, working with contract manufacturing partners.
Take a design through human-factors testing, design verification, and full-scale production.
Refine mechanical assemblies, including hermetic enclosures, ultra-fine multi-lumen components, connectors, and surgical deployment tools, to optimize manufacturability and reliability.
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for contract manufacturers, driving joint development and process characterization, resolving yield and quality issues, and ensuring manufacturers meet design intent, timelines, and quality requirements.
Apply and validate biocompatible materials, including titanium, platinum-iridium, specialized polyurethanes, and silicones, for chronic implantation, fatigue resistance, and biostability.
Perform finite element analysis for stress, strain, and fatigue, as well as geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, to ensure manufacturability.
Partner with Electrical Engineering on circuitry and hermetic feedthrough integration, and collaborate with neurosurgeons, neurologists, and clinical and regulatory teams.
Draft test protocols and execute or manage mechanical testing, including tensile, flex-fatigue, leak, and environmental stress cracking tests, to meet FDA and ISO 14971 standards.
Own reliability-testing design of experiments beyond verification and validation to explore and capture corner cases and failure modes.
Develop and refine processes for laser welding, micro-molding, and automated assembly of sub-millimeter components with contract manufacturing partners.

Desired Qualifications

A master's degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Materials Science.
Experience with Class III active implantable medical devices.

Company Overview

Echo Neurotechnologies is an exciting new startup in the Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) space, driving innovation through advanced hardware engineering and AI solutions. Our mission is to deliver cutting-edge technologies that restore autonomy to people living with disabilities and improve their quality of life.

Team Culture

Join a small, dedicated team of knowledgeable and motivated professionals. Our early-stage environment offers the opportunity to take ownership of broad decisions with significant and long-lasting impact. We emphasize continuous learning and growth, fostering cross-functional collaboration where your contributions are vital to our success.

Role Overview

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will own the mechanical architecture, design, development and scale of a brain-space active implantable product toward high-volume manufacturing, working closely with contract manufacturing partners. You'll take a design through human-factors testing, design verification, and into full-scale production.

Primary Role and Responsibilities

Device Design Refinement: Evolve mechanical assemblies — hermetic enclosures, ultra-fine multi-lumen components, connectors, and surgical deployment tools — optimizing for manufacturability and reliability.
Contract Manufacturer Collaboration: Serve as primary technical point of contact for contract manufacturers, driving joint development, process characterization, resolving yield and quality issues, and holding CMs accountable to design intent, timelines, and quality.
Materials Application: Apply and validate biocompatible materials (titanium, platinum-iridium, specialized polyurethanes, silicones) for chronic implantation, fatigue resistance, and biostability.
Tolerance & Stress Analysis: Perform FEA for stress, strain, and fatigue, plus GD&T, to ensure manufacturability.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Electrical Engineering (circuitry and hermetic feedthrough integration), Neurosurgeon/Neurologist, and Clinical/Regulatory teams.
V&V: Draft test protocols and execute/manage mechanical testing (tensile, flex-fatigue, leak, environmental stress cracking) to meet FDA and ISO 14971 standards. Own reliability testing DOEs beyond V&V to explore/capture corner cases failure modes.
DFM/DFA: Develop and refine processes for laser welding, micro-molding, and automated assembly of sub-millimeter components with CM partners.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or Materials Science (Master's or Ph.D. preferred).
7+ years of mechanical design experience, ideally with Class III active implantable medical devices, including taking designs through V&V, DFM, and into production
Demonstrated experience managing or partnering with contract manufacturers on process transfer, tooling qualification, and scale-up
Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, PTC Creo, or equivalent 3D modeling software
Deep understanding of micro-machining, injection molding, hermetic sealing, and the mechanical challenges of ultra-flexible, multi-contact implantable components
Familiarity with FDA 21 CFR Part 820, ISO 13485, and ISO 14708 (active implantable devices)Meticulous attention to detail, a passion for complex spatial problem-solving, and empathy for the patients who rely on this technology

Salary

$150,000—$215,000 USD

What We Offer

An opportunity to work on exciting, cutting-edge projects to transform patients’ lives in a highly collaborative work environment.
Competitive compensation, including stock options.
Comprehensive benefits package.
401(k) program with matching contributions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Echo Neurotechnologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Confidentiality

All applications will be treated confidentially. Applicants may be asked to sign an NDA after the initial stages of the interview process.

Salary 150000 - 215000 USD

About the Company

Echo Neurotechnologies

Implantable brain-computer interface enabling communication

Echo Neurotechnologies creates brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) aimed at helping people with severe neurological disabilities regain abilities such as conversational communication. Its main product is an implantable BCI system that surgically places electrodes on the brain to record neural signals, which are then decoded by software (potentially using AI) to control external devices or generate speech through a digital avatar. This makes it possible for users to interact with computers or robotic limbs by thinking. The company differentiates itself through leadership from Dr. Edward Chang and a focus on clinically translating BCIs for restoration of communication and movement, backed by venture funding from Andreessen Horowitz and a plan to move toward commercialization in a field with players like Neuralink and Synchron. The goal is to bring therapeutic neural implants to patients, enabling restored communication and mobility for those with severe paralysis.

Company size: Not listed
Company stage: Late Stage VC
Total funding: $50M
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Founded: 2023

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