Senior Mechanical R&D Engineer

About Syenta Syenta is pioneering a new era in semiconductor manufacturing with our groundbreaking Localised Electrochemical Manufacturing (LEM) technology. Our platform enables advanced packaging by combining patterning and metallisation into a single tool. We achieve high-speed, high-resolution metallisation at lower costs and energy use, while minimizing emissions and waste.

Founded in Australia, we are building a world-class team of engineers and scientists tackling some of the toughest challenges in semiconductor manufacturing. Our collaborative, people-first culture empowers individuals to take ownership, innovate, and deliver breakthrough results.

About The Role We are seeking a Senior Mechanical R&D Engineer to lead the end-to-end mechanical design of our custom semiconductor manufacturing machines. This role owns the full machine design lifecycle - from concept through detailed design, prototyping, validation, and production-ready equipment.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of taking machines from blank page to operational production equipment, thrives in a fast-paced, startup environment, and brings a broad skillset across mechanical systems, materials, and manufacturing processes. You will collaborate closely with controls, mechatronics, and software engineers to deliver integrated, high-performance manufacturing solutions.

This is a high-impact role, critical to scaling Syenta’s in-house production capabilities and reducing reliance on external vendors.

Responsibilities Mechanical Design & Delivery

• Lead end-to-end mechanical design of manufacturing equipment, from concept through to production release
• Develop and maintain CAD models, engineering drawings, and BOMs
• Select materials, components, and vendors; manage procurement for mechanical subsystems
• Apply Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
• Conduct tolerance analysis, FEA, and other engineering analyses as required
• Support prototyping, commissioning, and continuous improvement of equipment
• Contribute to design reviews, documentation, and mechanical engineering standards

Collaboration & Cross-Disciplinary Integration

• Work closely with mechatronics, controls, and software teams to deliver fully integrated machine solutions
• Communicate mechanical design decisions effectively across teams and stakeholders
• Provide technical guidance and input on equipment architecture and systems integration

Process & Standards

• Establish mechanical design standards, best practices, and workflows for the team
• Maintain high-quality documentation, including CAD, drawings, BOMs, and specifications
• Support continuous improvement of design and manufacturing processes

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
• Proven R&D background with a track record of taking concepts from blank page to working hardware
• Proficient in 3D CAD; platform agnostic (OnShape experience advantageous)
• Engineering drawings to ISO 2768
• Fluent in GD&T tolerancing - ASME Y14.5 and/or ISO GPS
• Tolerance stack analysis
• Pneumatics design and component selection
• High-precision linear and angular motion system design
• Material specification and selection
• Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFM/DFA)
• Rapid prototyping experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Material selection experience in clean-room contexts
• Experience with micro-fluidics and viscous flows
• Clean-room practices; design for cleanliness
• Experience working with metrology frames and vibration-isolated structures
• Experience in startups or fast-paced engineering environments
• Experience with simulation and analysis tools (FEA, tolerance analysis)
• Familiarity with PLM systems, JIRA, or Confluence

Why Choose Syenta? We’re passionate about building a diverse, people-first company. Our culture of collaboration and mutual respect fuels innovation capable of redefining an industry. At Syenta, you’ll have the opportunity to take ownership, lead high-impact teams, and shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing.

What We Offer Salary Range: $110k - $150k (negotiable)

• Early-stage equity opportunities
• 12% superannuation contributions
• Flexible leave policies and a strong work-life balance
• Professional growth in a high-impact, fast-growing deep-tech startup
• Team events and collaborative culture, including company-wide gatherings in Australia