Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Calendar Management, Coaching, Cross-Functional, Engineering Management, Leadership, Machining, Machining Operations, Manufacturing, Mechanical Design, Mechanical Engineering, Microscopy, Process Improvement, Product Design, Product Development, Production Machining, Project Execution, Project/Program Management, Research Laboratory, Risk Management, Robotics, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Team Building, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Recruiting
Mechatronic or
Mechanical Engineering Manager—
Precision Mechatronics for in-situ electron microscopy systems
Hummingbird Scientific is entering
a new era: building next-generation in-situ electron microscopy products, , designed for a world moving
fast toward automation, autonomy, and AI-assisted microscopy workflows.
Our instruments are used by national
labs and top-10 research universities, and we’re growing capacity,
expanding our production floor, and scaling our engineering team to support
what’s next.
We’re hiring an Engineering Manager
who is a true player-coach: a hands-on precision mechanical/mechatronics
engineer who also knows how to build a team, run execution, and deliver.
If you love pulling people together, hiring great engineers, and turning
complex ideas into reliable, manufacturable products - this role has your name on
it.
Requirements
What you'll do
Lead and build the team
- Manage and develop a small, high-output
engineering group (with real ownership of hiring and performance)
- Recruit, hire, and scale the team as programs
expand—setting expectations, coaching, and building an accountable
culture
Own project execution (for real)
- Be the “master of project management” inside
engineering: translating goals into plans, schedules, milestones, risks,
and daily progress
- Drive cross-functional alignment between
engineering, assembly, machining, and production operations so work flows
smoothly and predictably
Stay hands-on:
- Contribute daily to new product development: precision
mechanisms, stage hardware, mechatronics integration, and
design-for-manufacturing
- Work directly with machinists and assembly to
solve real-world build issues fast—and raise the bar on design quality and
throughput
Shape the next generation of products:
- Help lead the development of:
- Next-gen TEM in-situ precision mechanical design
- In-situ and sample prep workflow automation
- Software integration for automated and
AI-enabled tool
You're a great fit if you....
- Have been the direct manager of a small
engineering team, with real ownership in hiring (and the maturity
to handle performance decisions when needed).
- Are still a current, strong mechanical
designer—not someone who left hands-on engineering a decade ago.
- Have deep experience designing precision
mechanical systems / mechatronics, and you’ve worked closely with
machinists and builders.
- Believe in and practice formal project
management (whatever the toolset): plans, milestones, dependency
thinking, risk management, communication rhythms, and execution
discipline.
- Are energized by growth, pace, and
responsibility—this is a “build the next level” role, not a comfort role.
Key Qualifications:
- 8+ years in precision mechanical design / product
development (scientific instruments, robotics, automation, or similar)
- 3+ years in people leadership (or equivalent),
with demonstrated hiring and team-building success
- Strong system thinking: mechanisms + integration
+ manufacturing realities
- Comfort working across engineering, machining,
assembly, and operations
- SolidWorks
proficiency (or equivalent) required
Bonus (not required):
- Experience with vacuum, cryo, microscopy-related
systems (TEM/SEM), or high-stability motion/positioning systems.
- Familiarity with quality systems, inventory,
process improvement, or shop-floor workflows.
Why Hummingbird Scientific
- Your work will ship into the hands of researchers
at national labs and top-tier universities
- You’ll lead programs in TEM stages, cryo
sample prep, in-situ tools, and automation - with a real roadmap toward autonomy
and AI-assisted workflows.
- You’ll have visible impact: team, technology,
throughput, and the products themselves
- We’re growing - capacity, people, and ambition—and
you’ll help define what the next phase looks like
Job Location: This job is located on-site in Lacey, WA,
USA
Apply here with your resume and cover letter.
Benefits
Compensation:
Hummingbird Scientific offers a
generous compensation package based on experience and demonstrated capability,
including paid vacation, holidays, sick time, medical and dental benefits, and
a company 401(k) plan