The Role
The Electrode Manufacturing Technician I plays a key role in the hands-on fabrication and assembly of microelectrode arrays and implantable neural device components within a controlled cleanroom environment. This position is centered on precision, care, and consistency, supporting the production of technologies that advance the field of neural interfaces.
This role is built around one core skill: an extremely steady hand under a microscope. You'll spend most of your day doing micro-soldering, wire bonding, and precise component placement on parts smaller than a grain of rice — work that demands the same patience and control you'd find in jewelry setting, watchmaking, or fine-instrument repair. If you've ever been the person other people ask to thread the needle, solder the tiny wire, or do the fussy detail work because your hands don't shake — this is written for you.
As part of the Electrode Research team at Blackrock Neurotech, this role directly contributes to the quality and reliability of implantable devices that impact patient safety, research outcomes, and long-term product performance. The work performed in this role helps translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications used by real patients — the precision you bring to the bench has a direct line to someone regaining function.
This is not a stepping-stone role. Building implantable neural devices takes months to become truly proficient at, and we're investing real training time in whoever we hire. We're looking for someone who wants to master this craft as a career path, not use it as a resume line on the way to something else. If you're looking for your next move in 12–18 months, this isn't the right fit — but if you want to spend years getting better at something few people can do well, we want to talk to you.
What You'll Do
Core build work (majority of your time):
- Build acute and chronic microelectrode array implant assemblies in a controlled cleanroom environment
- Perform detailed assembly work under a microscope, handling very small components with care
- Complete tasks such as wire bonding, micro-soldering, adhesive application, and precise component placement
- Follow step-by-step work instructions, procedures, and engineering drawings exactly as written
Quality and documentation:
- Inspect your own work during the build process and perform basic functional checks
- Accurately document production work in accordance with GMP and ISO/FDA requirements
- Identify defects or process issues and escalate, or support basic troubleshooting
Cleanroom and production support:
- Follow cleanroom protocols, including gowning and contamination control
- Support material preparation, inventory handling, and production setup
Team collaboration:
- Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality Assurance to support ongoing process improvements
- Share hands-on feedback from the bench that helps improve quality, efficiency, and manufacturability — you'll be a Cleanroom Manufacturing Team, close collaboration with Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Assurance, and R&D/Supply Chain teams
Equipment and environment you'll work with daily:
- Stereo microscopes and precision hand tools
- Micro-soldering and wire bonding equipment
- Adhesive dispensing and UV curing systems
- Cleanroom benches and ESD-safe workstations, in an ISO-classified cleanroom requiring proper gowning and contamination control at all times
What You Bring
- High school diploma and/or AA or equivalent
- 0+ years of experience — we care more about demonstrated fine motor precision than industry background. Electronics or medical device manufacturing experience is a plus but not required
- Prior fine-motor precision work of any kind is highly valued: soldering, jewelry-making, watchmaking, model-building, embroidery, lutherie, dental lab work, or similar
- Extremely steady hands and strong fine motor coordination — this is the single most important trait for this role
- Ability to follow detailed procedures precisely, without deviation, even under repetitive conditions
- Thorough and detail-oriented, with the patience to do one thing exactly right rather than several things loosely
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision once trained
- Strong reading, writing, and communication skills in English
- Comfortable raising concerns or improvement ideas through the right channel, rather than deviating from instructions on your own
- GMP training or experience, and familiarity with FDA/ISO requirements for medical devices, are a plus
- Basic computer proficiency (Microsoft Office)
Physical and Other Requirements
- Ability to work extended periods under a microscope
- Ability to maintain focus during repetitive precision tasks
- Comfortable working in full cleanroom gowning attire
- Ability to lift up to fifty pounds when moving materials or equipment
Working Location:
This is an on-site role based at Blackrock Neurotech's headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.
How We Work
We are a small, experienced team working on consequential problems.
- We take ownership of outcomes and follow through with clarity and accountability
- We prioritize sustained, high-quality work over performative urgency
- We value rigor, sound judgement and thoughtful decision-making
- We collaborate deliberately: low ego, high trust and high context
This is a high-ownership role, but it is not an "always-on" one. We expect strong work and our people to have a life outside of it.