Is the Mechanical Engineer role remote?

No — this is an on-site role in Menlo Park, CA.

What's the salary range?

Periodic Labs lists $200,000–$300,000 for this role.

How much experience is required?

At least 2 years of relevant experience for this Mechanical Engineer role.

Where is the role based?

Periodic Labs is hiring for this position in Menlo Park, CA.

What's the tech stack?

Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: CAD, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, lab automation.

Does Periodic Labs sponsor work visas for this role?

Yes — the posting indicates visa sponsorship is available for the right candidate.

What seniority level is this role?

Periodic Labs targets mid-level candidates for this position.

Is this full-time or contract?

Full-time for this Mechanical Engineer role at Periodic Labs.

Mechanical Engineer at Periodic Labs

Joblaze summary

The Mechanical Engineer at Periodic Labs plays a crucial role in developing integrated lab systems that enhance materials synthesis and characterization. This position requires expertise in mechanical design, CAD proficiency, and hands-on experience with manufacturing processes, as the engineer will translate complex scientific needs into functional hardware. Ideal candidates have a background in mechanical engineering with at least two years of experience and a collaborative mindset to work closely with scientists. The role is pivotal in shaping the engineering approach at a rapidly growing company focused on innovative scientific solutions.

Joblaze insights

Listed 9 days ago on Joblaze — tracked directly from Periodic Labs's career page.
Periodic Labs has 29 other open roles including Don't See Your Role? Apply Here!, Computational Scientist, Differentiable Physics, Environmental Health and Safety.
395 active Mechanical Engineering roles on Joblaze right now.
289 active CAD roles on Joblaze right now.
248 active Robotics roles on Joblaze right now.
Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$126,887).
Pays more than 97% of the 155 salaried Mechanical Engineering roles we track (median $130,000).

Quick facts

Is the Mechanical Engineer role remote?: No — this is an on-site role in Menlo Park, CA.
What's the salary range?: Periodic Labs lists $200,000–$300,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?: At least 2 years of relevant experience for this Mechanical Engineer role.
Where is the role based?: Periodic Labs is hiring for this position in Menlo Park, CA.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: CAD, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, lab automation.
Does Periodic Labs sponsor work visas for this role?: Yes — the posting indicates visa sponsorship is available for the right candidate.
What seniority level is this role?: Periodic Labs targets mid-level candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Full-time for this Mechanical Engineer role at Periodic Labs.

From the original posting

About Periodic Labs

We're an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what's scientifically possible.

About the Role

Join a tight-knit engineering team building the integrated lab systems that scale our materials synthesis and characterization, alongside our frontier models, scientific data, and the scientists who use them.

Periodic Labs is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to help build the environment where materials scientists work alongside AI agents to plan experiments, run analyses, coordinate workflows, and turn results into decisions. You'll work with the team to translate vague, early-stage problems from scientists and engineers into clear requirements and build-ready hardware, owning the mechanical design of lab systems and instrumentation end to end and seeing them through fabrication, assembly, and operational bring-up.

This role will help define what engineering looks like at Periodic: technically deep, ambitious in scope, and tightly coupled to scientific work.

What You'll Do

Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of materials scientists and engineers to synthesize vague, early-stage problems into clear requirements and hardware that solves them.
Own the design and build of systems and subsystems for lab automation and workflows, from concept through installation.
Layout and design core lab systems, including gloveboxes, furnaces, presses, deposition equipment, and consumables.
Design and customize lab machines and instrumentation to fit evolving scientific needs.
Program and troubleshoot robots integrated into lab workflows.
Engage directly with scientists and technicians to understand how they actually work, getting past stated requirements to uncover the real needs behind them, and translate that into clear engineering specifications.
Produce CAD, mechanical drawings and design documentation, including GD&T, to support both in-house builds and subcontracted manufacturing.
Assemble and build hardware hands-on, and manage subcontracted manufacturing across machining, additive, sheet metal, and welding.
Apply a strong safety mindset throughout design and build, with attention to engineering and process controls.

You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have

2+ years of mechanical design experience, with hands-on and vendor-facing manufacturing exposure (machining, additive, sheet metal, welding).
Proficiency in CAD (Onshape or equivalent) and hand calculations.
Demonstrated ability to discover and write clear requirements, with strong project ownership from concept to completion.
Experience assembling and building physical hardware, not just designing it on paper.
Comfort working closely with scientists and technicians to translate workflow needs into engineering requirements and real hardware that solves problems.

Especially Strong Candidates May Also Have

Experience programming and controlling robots or other automated lab systems.
Experience working in software repos with agentic collaboration.
Experience dispensing challenging materials.
Measurement and test experience.
Design experience for high-temperature service.
Experience with test planning and bring-up.

Mechanics

Minimum experience: 2+ years
Minimum education: Bachelor's degree or similar experience
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Compensation: $200,000-$300,000 + equity
Visa sponsorship: Yes, we sponsor visas