# Hardware Engineer - Company: [Proto Town]() - Location: Lockhart - Team: Engineering - Employment type: Full Time - Posted: April 24, 2026 ## Job description Proto-Experiments runs ambitious projects. Our current focus is ML-driven crystal growth systems that close the loop between sensors, ML-driven control, and physical hardware. We're looking for a **tinkerer** whose core strengths are **sensors, microcontroller programming, and breadboard-level fabrication**. A lot of this role is figuring out how to prototype and build. Materials science or ML background is a plus but not required. **Hiring ASAP.** Crystal growth is the immediate project, but Proto-Experiments has other unusual builds in the pipeline. If it is a good fit, there is real opportunity to keep working together on what comes next. **What you'll do** * Build the sensing side of our growth rigs: thermocouples, optical sensors, cameras, pressure sensors - selecting them, wiring them cleanly, and getting clean signals out of noisy environments. * Program the microcontrollers running the rigs: sensor sampling, control loops, motor sequencing, and host comms. * Breadboard and prototype-level fabrication: protoboards, harnesses, simple carrier boards, plus 3D-printed brackets and basic mechanical scaffolding. * Power side: heater control, motor drives, PID loops, MOSFETs, isolation, grounding. * Take rigs from "works on the bench" to "runs reliably for a 72-hour growth," and debug across the stack when they don't. **We're looking for** * A natural tinkerer - someone who learns quickly, stays deeply curious, works extremely hard, and brings creativity to the bench. * Strong sensor integration experience * Solid microcontroller programming * Real breadboard and prototype-fab skills * Light mechanical fab: basic CAD, 3D printing **You don't need every one of these.** We care more about mindset and attitude. **Logistics** * **Contract**: Hours flexible. **Hiring ASAP.** Potential to convert to full-time. * **On-site in Lockhart, TX.** * **To apply:** email jack@earthship.city ## Apply [Apply on Proto Town]() Canonical job page: