Materials Scientist

About Agscent

Agscent is revolutionizing livestock diagnostics through space-age, AI-enabled breath sensor technology. Our innovative solutions transform livestock health, welfare, and protection by putting powerful diagnostic capabilities directly into primary producers' hands. Our flagship products include Agscent Breath: Pregnancy, designed to detect pregnancy in cows from day 18 post-insemination, and Agscent Air: GHG, which monitors methane emissions in livestock environments. Founded in 2018, we have established a strong scientific foundation including multiple patents protecting VOC-biology sensor technology, substantial molecular biology IP, NASA licensing agreements, and global university research collaborations.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a hands-on, curious, and resourceful Materials Scientist / Hardware Lab Engineer to join our Mountain View laboratory. Reporting to our Chief Scientific Officer, and working closely with Product & Technology on pilot production, you’ll work directly with our nanomaterial sensor chips and alongside the scientists who developed the technology. You’ll fabricate, characterize, test, and iterate on the hardware at the core of our diagnostic system. As Agscent Breath moves toward commercial launch, this role will also take our sensor chip from development into manufacturing. You’ll develop the deposition process and run pilot production of chips within a controlled, documented process. You’ll be part of a global team with colleagues in Australia. This is a full-time, ongoing role; contract arrangements will also be considered. This role is based on site in Mountain View, CA, for a minimum of four days per week. All candidates must hold existing working rights in the United States to be considered.

Key Responsibilities

Sensor Fabrication, Testing & Integration

• Fabricate and characterize chips using manual and automated nanomaterial deposition techniques.
• Run systematic bench experiments covering sensor response, baseline drift, humidity effects, and cross-sensitivity.
• Support chip testing against target analyte panels.
• Instrument and integrate sensors into prototype hardware assemblies.

Process Development & Pilot Production

• Develop and refine the chip fabrication process on our deposition equipment.
• Run and take responsibility for pilot production runs, following SOPs and completing detailed batch records.
• Help bring the sensor chip from development into manufacturing.

Documentation & Collaboration

• Contribute to technical documentation, experimental logs, and data analysis.
• Collaborate with the ML and software teams to close the loop between sensor physics and model performance.

Requirements & Tech Stack

Essential

• Hands-on laboratory experience in a similar environment, such as a materials, sensor, or device fabrication lab.
• The ability to work within a strict, controlled production process, including following SOPs and creating detailed batch records.
• A methodical and rigorous approach: good experimental design, clean data, and honest interpretation.
• Strong problem-solving instincts and a preference for prototyping and iterating over waiting for perfect information.
• Clear communication skills and comfort working in a small, high-trust team.

Highly Regarded

• Prior experience in gas sensing or biosensors.
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis.
• Exposure to thin-film deposition, inkjet or spray coating, or electrochemistry.

Qualifications

• A degree in materials science, chemical engineering, applied chemistry, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.

Who Thrives Here

• Self-starter with a can-do attitude who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Able to operate independently and drive technical execution without constant oversight.
• Brings energy and momentum to every project.
• Highly productive and self-motivated.
• Comfortable taking ownership of complex challenges.
• Enjoys autonomy to build systems and processes while delivering results.
• At home at the bench: enjoys making things, testing things, and figuring out why they don’t work.

Why Join Agscent?

• Be part of a global deep-tech start-up taking a sensor and ML diagnostic from prototype to commercial launch.
• Help build a quality management system aligned to ISO 13485 and ISO 9001, gaining skills that transfer directly to medical device and regulated-industry careers.
• Work closely with Agscent’s Product & Technology team, with exposure to materials, hardware, ML, and regulatory work across a real NPI program.
• Get hands-on with real hardware from day one.