Building merchant nanofabrication infrastructure for defense, data centers, and space applications.

Lead Hardware Engineer

Los AngelesOn-site$180K - $240K8 - 15 years
You are a mechanical leader who finds clarity in the extreme precision required to scale photonic manufacturing from prototype to production. This role demands more than standard aerospace experience; it requires reimagining flight-grade hardware for the unique constraints of nanofabrication tools serving national security and AI markets. You will define the mechanical architecture for systems where thermal stability and vibration control determine success, guiding a small, elite team through the complexities of early-stage infrastructure development.

What they're looking for

  • 8 to 15 years of hands-on experience in mechanical design for aerospace, defense, or complex robotics systems.
  • Proven track record leading hardware teams through the full lifecycle from concept to low-volume manufacturing.
  • Deep expertise in thermal management, structural analysis, and precision motion control within vacuum or cleanroom environments.
  • Ability to translate high-level system requirements into robust mechanical solutions for mission-critical infrastructure.

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This role is one we're recruiting for on behalf of a client company; the client's identity is kept confidential at this stage. A Fluency recruiter will follow up with details.

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