Career

Location: Santa Cruz, CA (Onsite preferred)
Company: SwellCycle
Stage: Seed-funded
Category: Advanced Manufacturing / 3D Printing / Climate Tech

About Us

SwellCycle is redefining sustainable manufacturing through large-format 3D printing and high-performance composites. Our first product—a sustainable surfboard core stronger and lighter than traditional foam—is just the beginning. Backed by Third Sphere and other leading climate investors, we’re building the future of microfactories: fast, flexible, and sustainable production systems for everything from water sports equipment to aerospace-grade structures.

We’re a small, ambitious team building a hardware and materials company from the ground up—and we’re looking for a founding engineer to join us.

What You’ll Do

You’ll own and help scale the core of our technology stack—from machines to materials to the objects they print.

• Design, prototype, and refine our large-format 3D printers and automation systems
• Develop hardware/software integrations that boost print speed, reliability, and surface quality
• Tune firmware and build internal tooling (e.g., print queue management, calibration routines)
• Optimize lattice structures and composites for strength, weight, and sustainability
• Run materials R&D across thermoplastics, resins, and fiber-reinforced polymers
• Collaborate with designers and shapers to translate concepts into repeatable, scalable products
• Build and refine process flows for our vertically integrated microfactory
• Establish quality control and failure analysis systems that scale with production

Who You Are

We’re looking for a hands-on, systems-minded builder who’s excited to work across disciplines and solve problems from first principles.

• Experienced with mechanical, mechatronic, or robotics systems—you understand motion control, sensors, and design for manufacturing
• You’ve built or modified 3D printers (Voron? CoreXY? Custom rigs? We want to hear about it)
• Comfortable working across hardware, software, and materials
• Strong in CAD and mechanical design—bonus if you’ve done FEA or simulation
• You’ve worked with slicers, G-code, and maybe even written firmware or Python automation scripts
• Bonus if you’ve touched Klipper, OctoPrint, or built your own PCB
• You’re deeply curious, self-directed, and motivated by building real-world products that matter
• Bonus if you have experience in additive manufacturing, composites, or structural design

Our Values

At SwellCycle, we don’t just build things—we build them the right way. We’re looking for teammates who:

• Champion environmentalism – Our planet comes first.
• Obsess over customers – We wow, then we scale.
• Own everything – You have the conn.
• Share openly – Transparency builds trust.
• Evolve daily – Change every day, mostly for the better.
• Lead by serving – Our org chart is inverted; we serve the frontlines.

Benefits

• Competitive equity package
• 401(k) plan
• Full health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Unlimited PTO
• Daily lunch provided
• Free SwellCycle surfboard
• Flexible work hours in a high-trust environment

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to build a venture-backed company from the earliest days. You'll work on cutting-edge hardware, software, and materials in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. You’ll help shape our tech stack, company culture, and manufacturing future—not just as an engineer, but as a founding team member.