# Lead Equipment Engineer - Company: [Ampeers]() - Location: Houston - Team: Engineering - Employment type: Full Time - Posted: July 13, 2026 ## Job description ## **Lead Equipment Engineer - AMPeers** Location: Houston, TX, on-site Department: Engineering Salary: Based on experience ‍ ## **Background & Job Description:** Discovered at the University of Houston in 1987, high temperature superconducting (HTS) tape delivers dramatically higher current densities than copper and aluminum with near-zero resistance AMPeers is a technology startup out of Houston, TX, developing next-generation REBCO high-temperature superconductor tapes and symmetric tape round (STAR®) superconducting wires. Spun out of the University of Houston, our technology enables the widespread adoption of superconductors in fusion magnets, power transmission, and next-generation energy systems. To bring this technology from pilot scale to commercial production, AMPeers is building specialized manufacturing equipment and processes in-house. The Equipment Engineer will play a central role in designing, commissioning, and scaling the tools that enable reliable, high-throughput superconducting tape and wire production. ‍ ## **Job Responsibilities:** * Own equipment strategy and architecture across the full toolset, from concept through commissioning to scaled production. * Set technical direction and review work for other equipment engineers; mentor junior hires. * Architect motion, thermal, vacuum, gas delivery, and power subsystems for MOCVD, sputtering, e-beam evaporation, or ion-beam deposition platforms, including tradeoff decisions on make-vs-buy and vendor selection. * Generate and approve build-ready CAD models and fabrication drawings; own design review process. (Software: SolidWorks or other CAD) * Diagnose and resolve complex, cross-subsystem tool failures affecting throughput, uptime, and process repeatability at production scale. * Partner directly with manufacturing, safety, and operations leadership to set hardware specs, BOMs, capex planning, and reliability targets across the equipment roadmap. * Drive automation strategy and specify software architecture for operator-friendly, repeatable manufacturing. * Represent equipment engineering in investor, partner, and technical due-diligence conversations as needed. ‍ ## **Requirements:** * Proven track record owning vacuum thin-film deposition tools from concept through sustained production operation. * Deep control systems expertise across motion, vacuum, thermal, flow, and power, with experience integrating them into a single reliable system. * Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor other engineers. * BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering (advanced degree a plus), or equivalent industry track record. ‍ ## **Preferred Requirements:** * 5+ years of tool ownership from concept-to-operation OR 8+ years relevant industrial equipment experience, including scale-up from pilot to production. * Experience standing up a toolset or equipment function at an early-stage hardware startup. * Fluency with industrial automation stacks (Python, LabVIEW, embedded, PLC, etc.) * Cryogenic, superconducting, or thin-film materials process experience. ‍ ## What we offer * Medical coverage (HMO and PPO plan options) * Dental coverage with 100% no-deductible preventive care * Vision coverage * Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance * 401(k) plan with company contribution ‍ **AMPeers is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds.** ## Apply [Apply on Ampeers]() Canonical job page: