Technical Operations Engineer — Hardware R&D, Procurement and Fabrication

The role

Own the work between an engineer finishing a design and a usable part arriving on the bench. Supplier choice, drawing revisions, substitutions, fabrication quality, and realistic lead times directly influence the speed of experimental learning.

The work

• Build and maintain project-specific, revision-controlled bills of materials.
• Manage component sourcing across electronics, photonics, precision mechanics, sensors and laboratory instrumentation.
• Coordinate CNC machining, 3D printing, PCB fabrication, assembly and custom manufacturing.
• Find qualified vendors, obtain quotations and negotiate prices, lead times and delivery terms.
• Identify compatible alternatives when components are unavailable or delayed, subject to engineering approval.
• Track orders, shipments, import logistics, budgets, inventory and equipment readiness.
• Maintain real-time visibility into technical dependencies and procurement bottlenecks.
• Work with scientists and engineers to define specifications and close the gap between design and physical execution.

What matters

• Background in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, industrial or related engineering.
• Familiarity with technical drawings, BOMs, part numbers, tolerances and fabrication processes.
• Experience sourcing specialized components and working with external suppliers.
• Strong spreadsheet skills and comfort with procurement or inventory systems.
• High attention to detail, operational judgment and ability to manage several time-critical projects simultaneously.
• Ability to understand technical trade-offs and proactively communicate risks to engineers.

What good work looks like

A reliable system for sourcing, tracking, and receiving fabricated and purchased parts for experiments.

Why this work matters

Build the operational machinery that converts research designs into physical evidence.

Get in touch

Send us your CV, your personal website or examples of work you have done, particularly a complex fabrication or procurement project you saw through to completion. Include an informal handwritten statement of purpose, with no prescribed length, telling us why this mission matters to you, what difficult work has taught you, and what you would like to take responsibility for at Walnut. This mission will demand scientific rigor, patience, independent thinking and a willingness to test ideas against reality. Write the statement entirely in your own words, without using generative AI. We will not consider statements written using AI. A photograph or scan of the statement is sufficient, and a typed version is welcome if handwriting is difficult. A reference from someone who knows your work is welcome, but not required.