Materials R&D Lab Technician

About the role

Antora Energy is looking for a Materials R&D Lab Technician to join its materials development team at the headquarters near San Jose, CA. In this hands‑on position you will work directly with engineers to run high‑temperature experiments that support the company’s thermal energy storage systems.

Key responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and monitor benchtop furnaces and other high‑temperature equipment according to test plans.
• Install, configure, and run data acquisition systems, thermocouples, and sensors to capture experimental data.
• Maintain detailed lab notebooks and digital records, and compile reports for the engineering team.
• Perform routine calibration, preventative maintenance, and minor repairs on lab equipment.
• Keep the lab organized, stocked, and compliant with safety protocols.
• Suggest and implement improvements to test setups, data workflows, and standard operating procedures.

Required profile

• Associate’s degree or higher in a technical field (Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Physics, Chemistry, or related) or equivalent hands‑on experience.
• 3+ years of experience in a hardware R&D or test lab environment.
• Direct experience operating furnaces, kilns, ovens, or other high‑temperature equipment.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems, thermocouples, and common lab instrumentation.
• Strong documentation habits and proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, and basic AI tools for data analysis.

Required skills

• High‑temperature equipment operation (furnaces, kilns, ovens).
• Data acquisition systems (DAQ) and thermocouple integration.
• Lab documentation and report generation.
• Spreadsheet and database management.
• AI‑assisted data organization and plotting.
• CAD interpretation for fixture designs.
• PLC programming.
• Python scripting for data analysis.
• Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology.
• Sample preparation techniques (cutting, grinding, polishing).

What we offer

• Competitive hourly wage ($35‑$41/hr) with equity compensation (stock options).
• Premium health benefits, life and disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with employer contributions and flexible spending accounts.
• Generous paid‑time‑off policy, flexible holiday observance, and paid volunteer time off.