Senior Scientist / Engineer

The role

This person will execute hands-on experiments across carbon nanomaterial integration, metal processing, additive manufacturing, and conductor development. They will support feedstock preparation, material handling, sample fabrication, testing, and characterization while translating technical roadmaps into experimental plans.

What you will do

• 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
• Characterize materials using tools such as Raman, SEM/EDS, optical microscopy, electrical testing, thermal testing, hardness testing, and other methods
• Analyze experimental results and connect process variables to electrical, thermal, mechanical, and microstructural outcomes
• Support laser and optical setup for experiments
• Support CVD/LCVD-style growth experiments
• 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

Required 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 materi
• 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

Nice to have

• 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 other characterization methods
• Experience with DOE, statistical analysis, root-cause analysis, or process optimization
• Experience working in a startup environment

Benefits

• Competitive cash compensation
• 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
• Relocation support for candidates moving from outside the Los Angeles area

About the company

Arcturus is creating a new wire technology stack that uses carbon nanomaterials to overcome the materials limitations of metals. The company is developing a new class of carbon nanomaterial-infused metal matrix composites for high-performance conductor applications.