Mechanical Engineering Intern - Spring

About Atomic Semi

Atomic Semi is building a small, fast semiconductor fab.

It’s already possible to build this with today’s technology and a few simplifications. We’ll build the tools ourselves so we can quickly iterate and improve.

We’re building a small team of exceptional, hands-on engineers to make this happen. Mechanical, electrical, hardware, computer, and process. We’ll own the stack from atoms to architecture. Our team is optimistic about the future and we want to continue pushing the limits of technology.

Smaller is better. Faster is better. Building it ourselves is better.

We believe our team and lab can build anything. We’ve set up 3D printers, a wide array of microscopes, e-beam writers, general fabrication equipment - and whatever is missing, we’ll just invent along the way.

Atomic was founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. Sam is best known for making chips in his garage, and Jim has been a leader in the semiconductor industry for the past 40 years.

About the role

We’re hiring full-stack mechanical and hardware engineering interns. The internship begins between now and the end of April, with the option for preferably a 4 to 8-month commitment. We’re rebuilding the chip fabrication process from the ground up, so you’ll be exposed to some really interesting and impactful work. Our engineering projects are highly interdisciplinary and span domains such as structures, optics, robotics, heat transfer, physics, and chemistry. As a startup, we offer interns a ton of ownership and mission-critical work.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience working in at least one of these areas and broad exposure across other domains. Our philosophy is to get things built and tested in days or weeks, not months. Because of this, a portfolio is required to apply: show us the things you’ve actually built! If you’ve shipped a medium-to-high complexity system through a personal project or previous internship, you’d be a good fit here.

Responsibilities

Designing, prototyping, and building semiconductor fabrication equipment

Writing mechanical drawings and documentation

Circuit design and electrical engineering

Performing detailed analysis and simulations to evaluate electromechanical designs

Working with vendors to source components and materials

Required Experience

Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in engineering

Ability to learn quickly and troubleshoot technical problems

Hands-on prototyping experience and the ability to move through design cycles quickly

Hands-on experience with electromechanical assembly design and analysis from coursework, internships, or personal projects

Strong foundation in mechanical engineering (Solidworks/Onshape, simulation, materials selection, etc.)

Nice-to-have

Familiarity with semiconductor processing— ALD, CVD, PVD, photolithography, etc.

Strong foundation in electrical engineering (KiCad/Altium, microcontrollers, embedded systems, digital circuits, etc.)

Working at Atomic Semi

We’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and a lab/office in San Francisco, CA. Atomic Semi is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Hardware Interns are paid an hourly rate equivalent to an annualized range of $105,000-126,000, depending on experience and education level. This range assumes a 40-hour workweek and includes up to 10 hours of pre-approved weekly overtime, paid at 1.5x the base hourly rate. Actual earnings will vary depending on internship length and hours worked.

Internship Benefits:

Housing Stipend to help with first month expenses

Lunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts

Weekly Learning & Development opportunities

Commuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office

Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time

Visa Sponsorship

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life and Disability Insurance

We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.

Export Control Analysis: This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.