Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

We're searching for a Senior Equipment Maintenance Technician. In this role, you'll help support and scale a cutting‑edge research laboratory focused on autonomous, high‑throughput materials discovery by building and maintaining critical equipment and infrastructure that enables scientists and engineers to move quickly. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys hands‑on technical work, solving practical problems, troubleshooting complex equipment, and taking ownership of laboratory operations.

Responsibilities include equipment maintenance, vacuum and gas systems, laboratory utilities, instrumentation, automation support, machine shop operations, inventory management, and laboratory buildout projects in a dynamic, state‑art research environment.

• Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs down to the component level on laboratory equipment, vacuum systems, and other precision laboratory infrastructure.
• Develop maintenance procedures, inspection checklists, and work order templates; identify recurring failures and implement corrective actions to improve uptime.
• Service vacuum pumps, chillers, and cooling water systems, and verify equipment meets OEM specifications after repairs.
• Support the installation, maintenance, and modification of laboratory utilities, including compressed gases, process cooling water, exhaust, gas detection, gas lines, tubing, gauges, valves, and fluid handling systems.
• Read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, electrical wiring diagrams, and technical documentation to complete maintenance and infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate maintenance activities with equipment vendors and field service engineers while documenting work and maintaining asset records in MaintainX CMMS.
• Support installation and commissioning of new equipment, including utility hookups (power, water, gas, vacuum, networking) and as‑built documentation.
• Support Controls and Automation Engineers by installing thermocouples, RTDs, pressure transducers, flow meters, solenoid valves, and safety interlocks, and by routing and terminating instrumentation wiring.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, inventory, consumables, and supporting infrastructure to ensure efficient day‑to‑day operations.
• Receive and register chemicals and gas cylinders, coordinate gas deliveries, and support hazardous waste disposal.
• Safely operate shop tools and equipment, including a manual mill and lathe, to fabricate or modify fixtures and support laboratory buildout projects.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment while following all applicable safety procedures, including LOTO and required PPE.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to identify equipment issues, improve reliability, and support ongoing laboratory expansion.

• 5+ years of experience in laboratory operations, equipment maintenance, semiconductor, manufacturing, chemical processing, pilot plant, industrial maintenance, biotechnology, or a similar technical environment.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, electrical wiring diagrams, and equipment manuals.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands‑on experience with hand tools, power tools, and mechanical assembly, plus excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Experience coordinating equipment maintenance, repairs, and preventative maintenance activities.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing tasks, and thrive in a fast‑paced startup environment with minimal direction.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable using shop tools and fabrication equipment such as band saws, chop saws, grinders, manual mills, lathes, and similar tools.
• Comfortable wearing required PPE, including lab coats, gloves, safety…