Hardware Prototype Technician

The Role

As a technician on the R&D Infrastructure Team, we will look to you for a variety of hands-on tasks requiring electrical and mechanical aptitude. You’ll help us design and build our next-generation lab, build and test prototypes for new products, and many other engineering support projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

• An ever-changing array of functional tests for prototype hardware products — from charging cars to running home batteries

• Operating a variety of high- and low-voltage test equipment (PV simulators, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes), test computers, and DAQs

• Setting up, operating, and collecting logs and data from prototype hardware

• Building and maintaining electrical test setups and mechanical fixtures for the Span lab (80/20 framing, conduit, wiring, outlets)

• Selecting, installing, and operating home appliances and custom test rigs for them

• Building test harnesses, assembling PCBAs, or putting together prototypes

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a fast-paced engineering development environment

• Significant hands-on experience with electrical systems (hobby projects count!)

• Comfortable with Linux command line (e.g. experience with Raspberry Pi) and basic Python coding

• Competent in soldering & electronic rework

• Ability to operate and maintain a wide variety of hand and power tools, shop tools, and lab equipment

• Ability to read and implement electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and harness drawings

• Meticulous and creative approach to problem-solving; excellent note-taking habits

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills

• Interest and ability in learning new skills on the job

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with high voltage / high power systems

• Experience with industrial electrical work

• Experience using electrical instrumentation (multimeter, oscilloscope, logic analyzer)

• Experience designing and constructing test fixtures (80/20 and otherwise)

• Experience with surface mount soldering and/or reflow soldering

• Experience using 3D CAD (Solidworks or similar) and rapid prototyping tools (3D printer, laser cutter)

• Experience and/or interest in test, control, and data acquisition equipment and software

• Comfort with Atlassian Suite (Jira, Confluence)

• First aid / AED / CPR training

• NFPA 70E Arc Flash training

Note: If you don’t check every box, we encourage you to apply anyway. An important part of this job is growing your skillset and learning new tools. Demonstrated curiosity, aptitude, and enthusiasm about helping develop new technologies will be more important than meeting every qualification.

Life at SPAN

SPAN embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. 

Headquartered in San Francisco’s vibrant SoMa neighborhood, we are an eclectic group of creative thinkers who value open communication, teamwork, and a ‘make it happen’ approach to addressing complex challenges. 

We’re hiring talented individuals who are driven by success and are passionate about shaping the future of renewable energy. If that sounds like you, we’d love for you to consider joining the rapidly growing team at SPAN.

The Perks:

⚡ Competitive compensation + equity grants at a well-funded, venture-backed company

⚡ Comprehensive benefits (including medical; dental, vision, life and disability insurance)

⚡ Comfortable, sunny office space located near BART and Caltrain public transit

⚡ Strong focus on teambuilding and company culture (events, meet-ups, clubs)

⚡ Flexible hours and unlimited PTO

Interested in joining our team? Submit an application today and we’ll be in touch with next steps!