Mechatronics Intern

Mechatronics Intern

This is a full-time, hands-on, and in-person role compensated $2k / month, working with some of the foremost experts in hardware, process, electrical, and software engineering.

You will be building state-of-the-art automated and robotic systems for stem cell control.

Company Overview

We are building the technology and industrial base to make the promise of cell-based regenerative medicine available to everyone, for every ailment.

 As a cutting-edge seed-stage biotechnology company, we are developing an AI-driven deep tech platform that integrates software, AI, sequencing, and robotics to guide stem cell differentiation and generate functional tissues at scale. Our small, multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers works at the intersection of biology, automation, and intelligence.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Mechatronics Engineer Intern to help design, prototype, and integrate hardware systems that bridge biology, AI, robotics, algorithmic control, and automation. You’ll gain hands-on experience in electromechanical system design, control programming, and lab-based testing to advance the core platform of our company.

This internship is a paid, full-time, on-site position designed for students, recent graduates, or professional seeking experience in biotech who are passionate about applying mechatronics to healthcare challenges - with an eye to improve human health. Exceptional performance may lead to a permanent position based on funding availability, performance, and mutual fit.

You will work directly with the CEO, experienced engineers, and other team members in a fast-paced, collaborative start-up environment.

Key Responsibilities

System Design & Integration

• Design, prototype, and iterate electromechanical subsystems for tissue fabrication platforms (e.g., automated bioreactors, robotic handling, perfusion systems)
• Write control code to run differentiation campaigns. Develop APIs and UIs if needed.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, controllers, and embedded systems into custom hardware platforms
• Develop scalable automation solutions for cell culture, differentiation, and tissue maturation
• Collaborate with software engineers to implement closed-loop control systems, machine vision, and real-time monitoring

Hardware Development & Testing

• Build and maintain precision instrumentation that enables high-reliability tissue engineering workflows
• Conduct rapid prototyping using 3D printing, machining, CNC, and other fabrication methods
• Evaluate system performance, run failure analysis, and optimize for robustness, accuracy, and throughput
• Maintain design documentation (CAD, schematics, wiring diagrams, BOMs) and ensure reproducibility
• Run troubleshooting campaigns with water to discover and fix bugs across the stack
• Run beta experiments with live cells to demonstrate fitness of hardware for scientific and commercial applications; in collaboration with scientists

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with cell biologists and bioengineers to align mechanical and biological performance targets
• Support scientific experimentation by rapidly iterating on hardware needs
• Contribute to design reviews, safety assessments, and regulatory documentation as needed
• Provide training and technical support to lab and operations staff
• Communicate actively with leadership about technical, cultural, and any other corporate topics

Strategic Development

• Contribute to platform roadmap and inform long-term hardware infrastructure strategy
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies that could accelerate our manufacturing capabilities
• Participate in IP generation and protect novel designs through coordination with legal counsel

Required Qualifications

Technical Experience

• Experience and interest in electromechanical, mechatronics, or automation engineering roles, ideally in industrial biotech, medical devices, or advanced manufacturing - personal projects or academic extra-curricular experiences are acceptable
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks or other) and hardware development tools
• Experience with embedded systems (Raspberry Pi or others) and control theory
• Familiarity with automation platforms (e.g., PLCs, robotic arms, motion control systems)
• Programming proficiency a strong plus
• Experience with liquid handlers nice to have
• Experience with cell culture nice to have

Domain Knowledge

• Understanding of biological lab workflows and constraints preferred
• Experience with fluidics, thermal management, and sterile design is a strong plus
• Knowledge of rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing methods

Collaborative & Leadership Skills

• Comfortable working across disciplines in a small, dynamic team
• Strong problem-solving and hands-on engineering abilities
• Ability to manage time effectively in a resource-constrained environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Educational Background

• BS, MS, or PhD in Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline

Specific Experience

• Prior work in a startup, biotech startup, or medical hardware development
• Experience with FDA or ISO 13485 design control processes
• Demonstrated ability to take hardware from concept to functional deployment
• Participation in engineering forums, competitions, or open-source contributions

What We Offer

Compensation Package

• $2k / month for the contract period (we fully understand this is substantially below market rate)
• Review of compensation and substantial equity participation upon transition to full-time role

Professional Opportunity

• 3-month full-time contract with opportunity for permanent full-time conversion
• Ground-floor opportunity to shape the intelligent hardware backbone of a breakthrough biotech platform
• Work at the intersection of AI, software, sequencing, automation, and regenerative medicine
• Deep collaboration with a world-class scientific and engineering team
• Build a hyper growth start-up from the ground up

Growth Environment

• Entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment with significant autonomy
• Direct reporting to the CEO and close collaboration with the scientific co-founders
• Opportunity to build a core hardware function from the ground up
• Exposure to leading-edge iPSC technology and regenerative therapeutics