Laser engineer

Description Darrow Industries, a neurotechnology venture studio, is preparing an NIH SBIR Phase I program developing a conductive surface on PEEK cranial implants. The process converts selected regions of the polymer into an integral conductive carbon network by laser processing under reduced-oxygen conditions (licensed U.S. Patent 8,679,189). We are hiring a consulting laser process engineer to own process development and execution. You will run the fabrication task; we supply the science, the biology, and the funding strategy. What you will do Design and execute a design-of-experiments campaign over laser parameters (fluence, scan speed, pulse overlap, hatch spacing, O2 partial pressure) to hit a specified sheet-resistance window (≤10 Ω/sq over ≥80% of treated area) on flat PEEK coupons and curved implant analogs. Produce a matched set of three surface states (conductive; roughness/wettability-matched non-conductive; conductivity-ablated) held to tight tolerances — this matched-control set, not raw conductivity, is the hard part. Execute processing runs on rented machine time at a commercial laser facility (we contract the facility; you write the run instructions and direct the operator, or run the system yourself where the facility permits). In-process QC: four-point probe sheet-resistance mapping, optical inspection, lot documentation. Author the locked, documented process recipe (Darrow property). Support the grant: a short letter of support for the application now, methods text review, and (if funded) continuation through the 6-month period of performance. Must have Hands-on laser materials processing of polymers — CO2, fiber, or ultrafast; galvo or gantry systems; you have personally developed process windows, not just operated equipment. Working knowledge of laser carbonization / laser-induced conductive carbon on polymer substrates (LIG-adjacent experience is directly relevant; the deliverable chemistry is amorphous conductive carbon, distinction explained on engagement). DOE methodology and process-window documentation. U.S. person, U.S.-based (NIH SBIR performance and export-control requirements). Strong plus PEEK or high-performance thermoplastics; controlled-atmosphere (inert/reduced-O2) processing; medical device or implant surface experience; sheet-resistance / four-point probe characterization; prior SBIR/STTR or federally funded R&D; publications or a thesis in laser carbonization. Engagement structure Phase A (now, ~10–20 hrs): review our SOW and patent, sanity-check the process window against your experience, provide a letter of support naming you as consultant on the application, and help us finalize the machine-time RFQ. Phase B (contingent on NIH award, ~6 months, 10–20 hrs/wk): run the fabrication program described above. Consulting agreement with IP assignment and confidentiality required; the process recipe and all data are Darrow property. Named authorship on resulting publications is negotiable and expected. To apply In 5–10 sentences: (1) the polymer laser process you developed that you're proudest of, with the parameter space you searched and how you documented the window; (2) your direct experience, if any, with laser carbonization or LIG; (3) confirmation you are a U.S. person based in the U.S.; (4) your hourly rate and availability. Attach or link one process document, paper, or thesis chapter you authored. Applications that open with generic laser-cutting portfolios will not be considered. Screening questions (Upwork fields) Describe a polymer laser process window you personally developed. What were the critical parameters and how did you lock them? Have you worked with laser carbonization or laser-induced graphene? On what substrate? Are you a U.S. person currently residing in the U.S.? Have you worked under an SBIR/STTR or other federal R&D award before? What sheet-resistance characterization have you personally performed?