Senior Scientist / Engineer

Job description

About Arcturus Arcturus is creating a new wire technology stack that uses carbon nanomaterials to overcome the materials limitations of metals where performance breaks down, at real operating temperatures. Our technology is designed to significantly improve the performance of electric motors for drones and robotics, heat sinks, and ultimately the entire energy grid. At its core, Arcturus is developing a new class of carbon nanomaterial-infused metal matrix composites for high-performance conductor applications. Why you should join us This is a ground-floor opportunity to help build something that has never been done before. You would join as a founding engineer/scientist and work closely with Arcturus’ technical leads across nanomaterials, additive manufacturing, and process engineering. This is a hands-on execution role for someone who wants to move quickly, learn across disciplines, and help turn first-of-its-kind materials science into real product performance. Purpose We are seeking Senior Scientists / Engineers who can serve as force multipliers for the technical team. This person will help execute experiments, analyze results, troubleshoot failures, document learnings, and translate technical direction into measurable progress. The ideal candidate has strong fundamentals in one or more of the following areas: carbon nanomaterials, metal additive manufacturing, metallurgy, metal matrix composites, materials science/processing, or advanced manufacturing. You do not need to be an expert in every area, but you should be highly technical, hands-on, and excited to work at the intersection of materials science, manufacturing, and product development. The role This role will report directly to the Lead Engineers and the CEO. - Execute hands-on experiments across carbon nanomaterial integration, metal processing, additive manufacturing, and conductor development - Support feedstock preparation, material handling, sample fabrication, post-processing, testing, and characterization - Work closely with lead engineers to translate technical roadmaps into clear experimental plans and daily execution - Help develop and optimize process parameters for aluminum and copper systems infused with carbon nanomaterials (graphene, carbon nanotubes, etc.) - Characterize materials using tools such as Raman, SEM/EDS, optical microscopy, electrical testing, thermal testing, hardness testing, and other methods as needed - Analyze experimental results and connect process variables to electrical, thermal, mechanical, and microstructural outcomes - Support laser and optical setup for experiments, including basic optical alignment, focal length calculations, working distance, spot size, beam delivery, and resolution considerations for laser-based processing and characterization - Support CVD/LCVD-style growth experiments, including gas flow setup, laminar flow considerations, vacuum system operation, chamber setup, thermal profiles, precursor delivery, and carbon nanomaterial growth dynamics - Troubleshoot failed builds, inconsistent samples, poor dispersion, contamination, degradation, or missed performance targets - Maintain clear technical documentation, including lab notes, test plans, experimental summaries, process updates, and internal reports - Support DOE-style experimentation, root-cause analysis, and repeatability studies as Arcturus moves from early prototypes toward controlled process development - Help prepare samples and data packages for external testing, customer demos, investor diligence, and partner validation - Contribute to invention disclosures and internal technical documentation as new discoveries emerge Basic qualifications - BS, MS, or PhD in materials science, metallurgical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, manufacturing engineering, physics, chemistry, or a related field - 3+ years of hands-on experience in materials R&D, process development, additive manufacturing, metallurgy, nanomaterials, or advanced manufacturing - Strong technical fundamentals in at least one of the following areas: carbon nanomaterials, metal additive manufacturing, metallurgy, metal matrix composites, materials processing, or conductor materials - Experience designing, executing, and documenting experiments in a lab, pilot, or manufacturing environment - Ability to analyze data, identify trends, troubleshoot problems, and communicate technical findings clearly - Strong scientific and technical writing skills, including clear lab documentation, test summaries, and experimental plans - High ownership, strong attention to detail, and comfort working in a fast-moving startup environment Preferred qualifications - Experience with graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanomaterial-metal composites, covetics, or carbon-metal interface engineering - Experience with LPBF, DED, laser processing, welding, CVD/LCVD/LACVD, or other advanced manufacturing methods - Experience working with aluminum, copper, conductors, metal powders, or metal matrix composites - Familiarity with Raman spectroscopy, SEM/EDS, microscopy, electrical testing, thermal testing, hardness testing, or related characterization methods - Experience with DOE, statistical analysis, root-cause analysis, or process optimization - Experience working in a startup environment What we offer - Competitive cash compensation and meaningful equity - Hands-on technical ownership with direct product impact - The chance to help build the playbook for nanomaterial-enhanced conductors - The opportunity to work closely with senior technical leaders on first-of-its-kind materials and manufacturing challenges - Relocation support for candidates moving from outside the Los Angeles area If this role excites you, even if you do not check every box, we’d love to hear from you. We’d rather work with a fast learner who cares deeply about the work than someone with years of experience but little curiosity.