Associate

Engine Ventures

Engine Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in foundational technologies that will define the next several decades of industry. We focus on sectors including compute, AI, energy systems, advanced manufacturing, robotics, biology, and infrastructure.

Since 2016, we have invested in over 70 companies building category-defining businesses. Our portfolio includes companies advancing core infrastructure for energy and compute, such as Celestial AI and Commonwealth Fusion Systems, alongside companies applying interdisciplinary approaches to disrupt conventional markets in critical minerals, fuels, and biomanufacturing. Together, these investments reflect the breadth of our focus across both digital and physical systems. We partner with ambitious founders tackling technically complex problems with the potential for large-scale impact.

We operate from Cambridge, MA, one of the world’s most concentrated ecosystems of research and innovation.

The Role

Engine Ventures is seeking an Associate to join our investment team. This is a core investing role at a moment of significant technological inflection across AI systems, compute infrastructure, energy, physical AI, and many other interconnected systems.

The Associate will work directly with founders and company leaders across stages, from early formation through growth. The role centers on identifying, evaluating, and supporting high-potential companies in technically complex domains, from next-generation semiconductors to grid-scale energy to programmable biology.

This position requires strong technical fluency, sound judgment, and intellectual range. The strongest candidates are able to analyze complex systems, develop independent perspectives on emerging markets, and assess both technical differentiation and commercial viability. They are motivated by investing as a craft and are comfortable operating in ambiguity.

Associates at Engine are deeply involved in the full investment process. You will work on diligence efforts and engage with portfolio companies on key strategic questions as they grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform due diligence, including scientific, technical, and commercial assessment of investment opportunities, and compose investment memorandums.

• Develop and maintain a broad network of researchers and entrepreneurs to identify new investment areas and opportunities.

• Discuss, evaluate, and present new investment opportunities within a flat structure in weekly investment team meetings.

• Work alongside Partners to structure investments in deep tech.

• Support portfolio companies post-investment as they grow their teams, consider strategic priorities, develop business models, and raise follow-on capital.

• Represent Engine Ventures and our mission while advocating for Tough Tech in the startup and academic ecosystems.

• Be flexible to take on new responsibilities and special projects as they arise, to enable goals across fund programs, events, content, etc.

Skills & Qualifications

• Advanced technical training (PhD or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as electrical engineering, chemical engineering, computer science, physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, or related disciplines

• 2-5+ years of experience in a demanding environment (e.g., deep tech startup, product or strategy role, or top-tier consulting)

• Demonstrated ability to understand and evaluate complex technical systems across domains.

• Strong commercial intuition and interest in how technologies scale into large businesses.

• Collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal judgment; ability to build trust with founders and teammates.

• Clear, structured thinking and exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

• High degree of ownership, with the ability to operate independently and drive work forward in ambiguous environments.