Materials Engineer Phd Jobs in Spring, TX (NOW HIRING)

Empower Your Future: At MetOx International, we're pioneering the next era of energy security and abundance through breakthrough superconducting technology. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer focused on MOCVD equipment, you'll join a dynamic team designing and developing the advanced manufacturing systems that enable next-generation high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Your work will directly influence equipment performance, manufacturing capability, product quality, and the commercialization of one of the world's most advanced continuous manufacturing platforms.

Based at our global headquarters in Houston, TX, the Senior Mechanical Engineer leads the design, development, testing, and continuous improvement of mechanical systems supporting MetOx's MOCVD manufacturing equipment. Core mechanical systems include: MOCVD reactor chambers, gas delivery, susceptor and hotzone, vacuum and exhaust systems, and conveyance systems.  Working closely with Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Equipment Engineering, Controls Engineering, and R&D, this role combines advanced mechanical engineering, precision machine design, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver robust, scalable equipment solutions that support commercial manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Engineering & Tool Development

• Leads the design, development, and continuous improvement of mechanical systems supporting MOCVD and related thin-film deposition equipment.
• Applies advanced mechanical engineering principles to solve complex challenges involving vacuum systems, thermal systems, precision mechanical assemblies, and equipment integration.
• Designs and develops core MOCVD mechanical components, tooling, fixtures, and equipment that improve manufacturability, reliability, maintainability, and throughput.
• Partners with Process Engineering to translate process and materials requirements into robust mechanical designs supporting manufacturing performance.
• Performs engineering analysis, testing, and validation to ensure equipment performance meets functional requirements.
• Develops engineering documentation including drawings, specifications, validation plans, assembly procedures, and technical reports.
• Supports equipment commissioning, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement activities.

Project Leadership

• Owns mechanical engineering projects from concept through implementation, including design, fabrication, commissioning, validation, and production support.
• Defines project scope, timelines, technical deliverables, and engineering success criteria.
• Leads cross-functional design reviews and collaborates with Process Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Controls Engineering, and Operations to successfully deploy equipment improvements.
• Coordinates suppliers, fabrication partners, and internal engineering resources to ensure successful project execution.

Manufacturing Integration

• Partners with Process Engineering and Manufacturing to improve equipment reliability, uptime, throughput, and manufacturability.
• Supports DFM, DFA, and Design for Reliability initiatives throughout equipment development.
• Identifies opportunities to improve equipment performance, reduce technical risk, and support manufacturing scale-up.
• Develops standardized engineering solutions supporting future equipment expansion.

Mentorship

• Mentors junior engineers and supports the technical development of engineering team members.
• Participates in peer design reviews and promotes engineering best practices across the organization.

Other duties as assigned 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Four years of engineering experience including experience in MOCVD, PVD, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, vacuum systems, or similar thin-film deposition technologies.
• An advanced degree may be substituted for required experience on a year-for-year basis, depending on relevance and level.
• Demonstrated experience designing or supporting complex MOCVD or thin-film deposition manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with vacuum systems, thermal systems, precision mechanical assemblies, and equipment integration.
• Thermal engineering experience in heat transfer, heater design and integration, thermal expansion and stress measurement.
• Vacuum engineering: high vacuum design, metal seals, O-rings and elastomer selection, leak testing

Preferred Qualifications: 

• PhD. in Engineering or a related scientific discipline applicable to the position.
• Experience designing or building vacuum-based deposition equipment, e.g., MOCVD, PVD, CVD, ALD, or related semiconductor or thin-film deposition equipment.
• Experience in designing CVD solid-precursor delivery systems
• Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up or technology transfer.
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering projects.
• Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Reliability (DFR).
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA), thermal analysis, or related engineering tools.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

• Strong mechanical engineering expertise in precision equipment, vacuum systems, thermal systems, and thin-film manufacturing equipment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a systems-level approach to equipment design and optimization.
• Ability to independently lead technical projects while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong communication and technical documentation skills.
• Commitment to engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and high-quality equipment design.

Physical Demands: This position requires sitting at a desk and viewing a computer screen for extended periods while working or performing other office tasks. Ability to move around the office, including occasional standing, walking, and bending to retrieve documents, attend meetings, or use office equipment. Some light lifting may be required, up to 20 lbs. 

MetOx is proud to offer competitive benefits including:

• Health, dental, and vision available on the first day of employment
• 401(k) match
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance
• Educational reimbursement
• And more!

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.