R&D Technician
About the role
R&D Technician role at Maritime Fusion focusing on building real hardware, lab setup, and hands-on experimentation for HTS tokamak-related hardware in an early-stage startup.
Responsibilities
- Building and assembling hardware and test setups: assembling magnet test stands, power racks, cryogenic plumbing, vacuum systems, and custom fixtures using mechanical drawings and wiring diagrams.
- Hands-on wiring, soldering, and instrumentation: terminating cables and connectors, building harnesses, routing and labeling wiring, soldering boards and connectors, and installing sensors (voltage taps, thermocouples, strain gauges, Hall probes, etc.).
- Running experiments and collecting data: setting up and operating DAQs, power supplies, oscilloscopes, DMMs, and other lab gear; executing test procedures; logging results; and flagging anomalies for the engineering team.
- Supporting cryogenic and vacuum operations: helping assemble and maintain cryostats, handling LN₂, operating vacuum pumps and gauges, leak-checking systems, and keeping an eye on “is everything actually sealed and cold?”
- Standing up and organizing the R&D lab: setting up benches, mounting equipment, organizing tools and parts, labeling everything, and keeping the lab safe, tidy, and functional.
- Debugging hardware on the bench: tracking down loose connections, miswired harnesses, flaky sensors, and mechanical fit-up issues; working with engineers to improve reliability.
- Doing whatever it takes in an early-stage startup: assembling office furniture, unpacking crates, organizing inventory, and helping build the lab and company.
Qualifications
- Hands-on build and test experience: 2+ years as a technician, mechanic, lab tech, or similar role in hardware R&D, manufacturing, automotive/EV, aerospace, electronics, or related field (exceptional hobbyist/maker experience counts).
- Comfort with tools and instrumentation: proficient with hand tools, basic machine/shop tools, soldering irons, crimpers, multimeters, power supplies, oscilloscopes, and basic DAQ software.
- Ability to read and follow technical documentation: comfortable working from mechanical drawings, simple CAD prints, wiring diagrams, and written procedures, and provide feedback when something does not match reality.
- High ownership and reliability: pride in clean builds, good cable management, accurate measurements, and leaving the lab better than you found it.
Skills
About Maritime Fusion
Fusion reactors for ships
Maritime Fusion is building HTS (high-temperature superconducting) fusion reactors for defense and commercial shipping applications. Breakeven fusion is coming soon, but the first-of-a-kind (FOAK) reactors will be costly, high maintenance, and have low capacity factors, leading to 5–10x higher electricity cost on the grid. Maritime Fusion is pursuing the most widely accepted approach to fusion, the tokamak, but specifically designed for the marine environment where the challenges that arise between breakeven and a commercially viable energy source are alleviated. The market we're targeting requires 15x less power, lower up-time, and costs the same as alternative fuels but without any emissions. Since fusion does not use highly radioactive fuels or materials – unlike fission – we sidestep the vast majority of regulatory challenges and safety risks associated with nuclear energy. Our team brings over a decade of industry and research experience in plasma physics, nuclear engineering, and electrical engineering with backgrounds at SpaceX, Tesla, Columbia University, and University of Pennsylvania.
More open roles at Maritime Fusion
- Member of Technical Staff - R&D Engineering11mo agoHybrid (San Francisco, CA) · Engineering
- Member of Technical Staff - Plasma Physics11mo agoHybrid (San Francisco, CA) · Engineering / R&D
- Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Lead11mo agoSan Francisco, CA