Sam Schmitz is a mechanical engineer who previously worked at Neuralink as the neurosurgical robot consumables design & manufacturing lead. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota and then worked at Formlabs, developing 3D printers. Sam joined Neuralink in November 2020 and focused on the design and production of electrode threads implanting needles and related accessories. He presented the development process of these needles at Neuralink's Fall 2022 "Show and Tell" event.
Sam left Neuralink on January 11, 2025, after four years with the company. He described the decision as difficult but expressed excitement for his future endeavors. While at Neuralink, Sam noted that many employees took pay cuts because they believed in the company's mission and wanted to help people. He also remarked that the people he worked with at Neuralink were among the smartest and nicest he had ever met.