Careers at Penceive

Join us in building brain implants that restore control of pathological brain circuits.

What We Do

Psychiatric disorders like PTSD and addiction are not random chemical imbalances. They are brain circuits locked in the wrong state. Like any complex network, even the brain has control points — specific nodes where a precise intervention can shift the entire system. The challenge is finding them.

We are building brain implants that map neural activity in real time, identify these control points, and deliver targeted intervention to shift the circuit back. Observe, compute, intervene, repeat. A closed-loop system for the brain, engineered with the same rigor as any complex control system.

We are an extremely early-stage stealth startup based in the Bay Area. No bureaucracy, no legacy, no existing playbook. Just a hard problem worth solving and a team serious about solving it. Working at the intersection of neuroscience, semiconductor engineering, and clinical medicine.

There is no fixed culture deck. You are writing it.

Solve problems nobody has solved yet

The constraints are real. The requirements are clear. But nobody has built the right solution yet. You are not iterating on someone else's design. You are finding the answer from scratch.

Own the how, not just the what

The problem is defined. The mission is set. But how we get there is yours to figure out. You design the approach, choose the tools, and take responsibility for the outcome.

Transparent by default

Every technical and product decision is documented and visible to the whole team. We write down not just what we decided, but why. No black boxes, no information silos.

Speed with substance

We move fast and make decisions by consensus. Meetings are efficient and purposeful. The way we stay aligned is not through more meetings — it is through documentation.

Build fast with the tools you know

Use whatever tools you work best in. We care about the output, not the tool. We expect everyone to heavily leverage AI across all aspects of their work. Orchestrate it, don't just use it.

Write as you think, in plain language

We document everything in real time — short notes, rough thoughts, half-baked ideas. No polish required. The habit of writing frequently matters more than writing well.

Join the Team

Founding Mechanical Engineer: Medical Device

Actively Hiring
Mountain View & Palo Alto, CA · On-site

As our founding Mechanical Engineer, you will own hardware development from the ground up. Your first 6 months are focused on one thing: building the research tooling, implantation instruments, and chronic implant fixtures that make our in vivo experiments possible. No blueprint to follow, no proven design to copy. Academic literature exists, but translating it into something that actually works in your hands is on you. There is no senior ME on the team. Build your own advisor network. We will support you in finding the right people, but the initiative is on you. The challenge is that what you build for research is not throwaway. Every tool you design must be built with productization in mind, because the path from rodent research to human-grade device starts with the decisions you make today. As the company grows, you will lead that entire journey.

Responsibilities

  • Design and build implantation tools and surgical fixtures for chronic neural implantation in rodents and large animal
  • Develop research tools, jigs, and experimental setups for small animal in vivo studies using 3D printing and rapid prototyping
  • Iterate fast from CAD to working prototype, supporting ongoing neuroscience experiments
  • Develop hermetic enclosures and packaging solutions for chronic implantable electronics
  • Collaborate with electrical and software engineers to deliver integrated neural recording systems
  • As the company matures, lead mechanical design for human-grade devices including surgical robot integration and FDA design controls

Key Requirements

  • MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, or related field (exceptional BS candidates considered)
  • Hands-on hardware building experience, including graduate research; 3+ years preferred but not required if you can show the work
  • Proven ability to move fast with limited resources — from CAD to working prototype in days
  • Strong CAD expertise (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or equivalent) with a portfolio demonstrating hands-on builds
  • Familiarity with rapid prototyping techniques (3D printing, CNC, laser cutting)

Nice to Have

  • Experience with neural implants, surgical tools, or in vivo research setups
  • Experience with hermetic sealing and encapsulation of implantable electronics
  • Experience working with biological tissue or tissue phantoms (agar, alginate, etc.)
  • Surgical robotics experience: end effectors, head fixation, or stereotaxic alignment tools
  • Background in designing housings for wireless communication and charging
  • Knowledge of FDA design controls and medical device development processes

Compensation & Benefits

$120K – $140K/year Salary
0.5% – 2.5% Equity (negotiable)
Full Coverage Medical, Dental, Vision
Standard PTO Benefits expand as we grow
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