Lead Carbon Nanomaterials Engineer

Lead Nanomaterials Engineer Los Angeles, CA (in-person) About Arcturus Arcturus is creating a new wire technology stack that uses carbon nanomaterials to overcome the materials limitations of metals where performance breaks down, at real operating temperatures. Our technology is designed to significantly improve the performance of electric motors for drones and robotics, heat sinks, and ultimately the entire energy grid. At its core, Arcturus is developing a new class of carbon nanomaterial-infused metal matrix composites for high-performance conductor applications. Why you should join us This is a ground-floor opportunity to help build something that has never been done before. You would join as a founding engineer and become Arcturus’ first nanomaterials engineer, with the chance to define the company’s carbon nanomaterials strategy from the beginning. As the founding nanomaterials engineer, you will work directly with the founder and CEO to shape the technical direction of the company, translate scientific insight into real product performance, and help build a category-defining materials platform from scratch. Purpose We are seeking a lead nanomaterials engineer who can set the technical direction for our carbon nanomaterials strategy and translate fundamental science into measurable, scalable improvements in conductor performance. This person will help define how carbon nanomaterials are integrated into metal matrix composites, including approaches related to covetics and other carbon-metal interface architectures, to unlock meaningful improvements in electrical, thermal, and mechanical performance. The role THIS ROLE REPORTS DIRECTLY TO THE CEO Materials strategy and integration - Own the nanomaterials roadmap R&D, including carbon nanomaterial selection, orientation morphology, purity, infusion percentages, functionalizations, etc. - Define integration approaches into aluminum and copper that improve electrical performance through process technology - Lead dispersion and interface engineering strategy, including verification methods and technical decision gates Characterization and scientific rigor - Build the characterization stack that links structure to performance, including Raman, SEM/EDS, and other methods as needed - Define metrics for dispersion quality, interface integrity, and degradation, then standardize how those measurements are made - Partner with engineering to translate scientific results into material specs, process windows, and acceptance criteria Reliability and durability - Own hypotheses and experiments for long-term stability, including thermal cycling, corrosion, oxidation, environmental exposure, and processing effects - Define accelerated aging and failure mode discovery plans aligned with real-world use cases - Leadership and driving IP disclosures. Help shape patent strategy - Help build and lead a small but world-class scientific team over time Basic qualifications - PhD or MS in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, or a related field - 8+ years of applied research leadership with demonstrated impact on products, processes, or commercialization - Deep expertise in carbon nanomaterials and strong intuition for process-structure-property relationships - Strong scientific writing skills, including clear technical documentation, experimental plans, and invention disclosures Preferred qualifications - Experience with carbon nanomaterial-metal composites, metal matrix composites, covetics, or carbon/metal interface chemistry - Familiarity with graphene, carbon nanotubes, graphene growth methods, including localized or laser-inducted graphene - Startup experience What we offer - Competitive cash compensation and meaningful equity - Scientific ownership with direct product impact - The chance to define the playbook for nanomaterial-enhanced conductors - Relocation support for candidates moving from outside the Los Angeles area