Junior R&D Engineer

For a century, the answer to “what’s in the pipe right now” was a grab sample to a lab with results back hours later. We answer it every second.

Laminar is building human-centric self-driving factories: the ones made of stainless steel pipes and reactors, that make what the world eats, uses, and wears. Proprietary inline sensors read the chemistry in the pipe. Foundation models grounded in physics and chemistry reason about how close the process is to its target. Process control software acts on the answer through the plant’s automation system in real time. Laminar Insights shows what happened, why, and what it saved.

A Laminar line uses about 20% less water and 20% fewer chemicals and runs 15% faster, with quality protected. Productivity and sustainability improve together. We run across six continents at manufacturers like Coca-Cola, Unilever, and AB InBev, backed by tier-1 investors in Physical AI.

We’re a polymathic team of 50 in Somerville: hardware and software engineers, chemists, AI researchers, factory operators, and go-to-market wizards under one roof. Nobody here is waiting to be asked what to do. You’ll see the problem, propose the fix, and own the outcome. We believe in autonomy, ownership, and demanding excellence, and we hold each other to it. If that’s how you want to spend your time, come build the self-driving factory with us.

We’re seeking an entry level Hardware Engineer whose work will focus on new system Research and Development. You will work closely with Senior Engineers across both the Hardware and Embedded Systems teams to rapidly evaluate new technologies, test performance of sensing systems, and integrate them into field prototypes. This role will perform PCB design, assembly and testing along with mechanical housing design and cable harnessing. We value a self-sufficient, hands-on engineer who isn’t afraid to ask questions and learns new skills quickly. Your work will directly impact our hardware product design, improve prototype iteration speed, and help Laminar to save more resources every day.

What You Will Do

• Design protype PCBs from commercially available and custom sensors using KiCAD, Solidworks, and simulation softwares such as PSPICE
• Develop and implement test strategies alongside the Laminar Data Analysis team. Collect and present this data in informal and formal reviews to allow for rapid analysis and sensor comparisons
• Assemble complex PCBAs using reflow soldering techniques. Rework non-functional units and perform modifications as needed during board bringup
• Design mechanical housings for sensors and edge compute. Conduct thermal, vibrational and ingress progression tests with guidance from senior engineers
• Integrate sensors to established testing platform using Zephyr RTOS
• Bring new ideas and creatively pursue new approaches to product sensing to solve critical problems for our clients.
• Contribute to the overall hardware team by providing design, assembly, and debug assistance on multiple projects. Own your own projects early in career and drive direct impact on hardware shipping to our customers

About You

Required

• 1-3 years (entry level) experience in electronics design, mechanical design, and data analysis
• Electronics experience: PCB SMD and THT soldering, rework, troubleshooting, oscilloscope use, digital signal analysis. Ability to read and debug electrical schematics
• Basic coding experience: Python, C, C++ and comfortable with the core concepts of embedded programming and data analysis
• Generalist mindset: comfortable working with all parts of electromechanical assemblies, experiment design, and documentation.
• Wants to learn new things rapidly and apply them. Comfortable with ambiguity and desires rapid growth in early career
• Clear, efficient, and respectful communicator, good at balancing multiple projects and shifting priorities
• Previous project experience. Clubs, research, internships, volunteering, or personal projects. Be prepared to discuss projects and your contribution to them

Preferred

• Extensive project or work experience in electronics design, chemical process engineering or manufacturing
• Experience working with PCB contract manufacturers, machine shops both domestic and international
• PCB design experience with microcontrollers, industrial communications protocols and analog electronics combined
• Significant prior experience navigating the balance between “move fast and break things, but not the important things”
• Experience with Zephyr RTOS
• Design experience in sanitary or hazardous environments. ATEX and ASME BPE or similar

Benefits

• Direct impact on product and culture.
• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Disability, Transportation benefit, Health and Wellness benefit, and more.
• 401k plan with employer matching
• Equity
• Competitive salary and bonus opportunities.
• Dynamic and inclusive work environment.
• Opportunities for growth and professional development.
• Access to Greentown Labs' extensive network of cleantech startups.

Learn How We Think

• Learn about our startup journey: Our Journey

• How we're combating climate change: AI-Powered Climate Tech

• A customer story: Ben & Jerry's uses H2Ok's precision automation to cut time & water usage

$70,000 - $95,000 a year

Our pay ranges are established per Pave Compensation Software. We’re also proud to offer equity in our fast-growing startup and one of the most comprehensive benefits packages among startups at our stage. Laminar pays 100% of the individual health insurance premium for HMO medical, vision, and dental, offers flexible PTO, a $90/month transportation benefit, a $65/month health and wellness benefit, FSA, 12 company-paid holidays, an employer-matching 401(k) (unheard of at this stage!), and Greentown Labs membership, among other valuable resources. (*subject to change)

Why You'll Love it Here

• A front-row seat at Greentown Labs, North America's largest cleantech innovation hub, in a Somerville neighborhood ranked one of the coolest in the world

• Real recognition: 2026 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, Gold 2026 Edison Award, Unilever Startup of the Year, Innovator Awards by both Coca-Cola and ABInBev, and more

• A team that celebrates together from rooftop lunches, ping pong matches, Lunch & Learns, and regular team events

• Competitive salary, equity, and a 401(k) with company match

• Health, dental, and vision coverage, plus short- and long-term disability and life insurance

• Flexible time off and 12 company-paid holidays

• A conference and learning budget to keep growing your craft

• Greentown Labs membership and a transportation benefit for your commute

** Our Interview Process**

1. Phone screen with Laminar Head of Ops or Recruiter (15-20 minutes)

2. Intro call with Hiring Manager (30 minutes)

3. On-site interview, including short tour of GTL, overview of tech, and interview/presentation with the Hiring Manager and a few team members. Depending on the role, a skills exercise that should take no longer than an hour to prep, would be sent ahead of time. We record your skills exercise to share with any team members who could not join the interview and/or with Founder's ahead of their Founder's Interview. If you are not local, we can conduct this virtually.

4. Finalists for Full-Time positions will have a Founder’s Interview in-person

Final steps:

Two professional references are requested, ideally one from your current organization and one who served as your Manager

If an Offer Letter is extended, a Background check is conducted

Arecent study from LinkedInshowed that most women apply to jobs only when they meet 100% of the requirements, whereas men will hit the apply button if they hit 60%. Laminar (formerly H2Ok) is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. So, to the women and nonbinary folks out there feeling unsure if you're a perfect fit, we strongly encourage you to apply! If you're ready to play a key role in scaling a game-changing company that’s transforming the industrial sector and advancing sustainability, we want to hear from you!

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