R&D Technician III

Location

Los Angeles

Full time

On‑site

• Manufacturing & Quality
• Machining

• $41.40 – $50.60 per hour
  • Offers Equity

As a growing Series B startup, the salary range is intentionally wide as we determine the most appropriate package for each individual, taking into consideration: years of experience, educational background, and unique skills and abilities as demonstrated throughout the interview process. Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company’s current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role.

In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is posted.

At Antares, our long‑term mission is to make clean energy abundant from Earth to the Asteroid Belt. We’re fueled by the belief that advanced nuclear energy can strengthen our military, solve the climate crisis, elevate global living standards, and expand humanity’s presence in outer space. To achieve our mission, we’re building mass‑producible, inherently safe, deployable microreactors that can be used terrestrially, underwater, and in space.

Formed in 2023, the Antares team hails from Space

X, The White House, MIT, Rigetti Computing, The Air Force, General Atomics, Relativity Space, Ursa Major, and National Laboratories like Los Alamos, Idaho, and Oak Ridge. Antares has raised over $130M in venture capital from top‑tier investors and has over $13M in government funding.

As an R&D Technician III, you will be at the forefront of our company’s critical operations in a fast‑paced, innovative environment. You will take ownership of prototyping, machining, assembly, testing, and fabrication operations, ensuring attention to detail and proper documentation as we develop next‑generation nuclear systems.

• Work closely with engineering to fabricate prototypes, build and operate test systems while ensuring adherence to specifications, quality standards, and safety protocols.
• Collaborate with engineering to improve designs through rapid iteration to refine manufacturing techniques.
• Participate in design reviews, providing input on long‑term manufacturability, available resources, and design improvements.
• Autonomously spec, source, and commission equipment, research new best practices, coordinate resources, and report project status.
• Build, lead, and mentor a team of ambitious, quality‑focused technicians, fostering a culture of technical excellence, teamwork, and accountability.
• Develop and document best practices for machining, fabrication, assembly, and quality inspection.
• Identify and resolve technical challenges, implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support critical system testing and validation efforts, ensuring products meet performance and reliability requirements. Some of these efforts will require off‑site travel.
• Train and upskill technicians on new processes, tools, and industry best practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment.

• 5+ years in a high‑performance manufacturing or R&D environment with experience in multiple of the following areas: fabrication, machining, welding, pneumatic/hydraulic systems, test processes, test stand development.
• Understanding of aerospace‑grade production/quality standards and a demonstrated track record of operating in them.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings and technical specifications & processes.

• Experience with welding techniques, including OTW.
• Experience developing complex systems from scratch and the corresponding manufacturing processes.
• Experience in aerospace, nuclear, defense, or advanced manufacturing industries.
• Knowledge of materials science, precision machining, and quality inspection techniques.
• Hands‑on experience with fluid, gas, or high‑voltage systems.
• Experience with automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Background in process optimization and lean manufacturing principles.
• Familiarity with PLM, ERP, and manufacturing planning…