Engineering Technician
Ammobia
Software Engineering
San Francisco, CA, USA
About Ammobia
Ammobia is on a mission to revolutionize the ammonia industry. We are a seed-stage startup developing Haber Bosch 2.0 – a next-generation ammonia synthesis process enabling cost-effective, clean ammonia production. Until now, ammonia production has been a highly polluting, steady-state, high inertia process. We are developing new regimes of physics and plant design that require dynamic processes, especially for ammonia production from intermittent renewable energy sources. Clean ammonia will support ammonia’s growing role in our decarbonized world, tackling some of the most difficult to abate sectors including chemicals, fertilizers, and heavy-duty transportation. We are supported by leading climate tech organizations including Starlight Ventures, Collaborative Fund, Third Derivative, Forbes 30u30, and more.
Job Description
- Assembly, disassembly, upkeep and maintenance of Ammobia’s pilot plant.
- Install power and signal wiring within control panels and between control panels and field instrumentation, and for other controls and electrical subsystems as needed.
- Assemble, leak check, disassemble Swagelok tube fittings, NPT threaded fittings, Grayloc clamp fittings, and other process connections as needed.
- Commission pilot plant equipment alongside engineers, including electrical and controls tasks such as loop checking, instrument calibrations, and equipment function checks.
- Operate the pilot plant on shift teams with an Ammobia engineer on 8- or 12-hour shifts as needed, adhering to safety protocols and executing experimental campaigns on individual- and multi-module modes of operation.
- Implement changes and improvements to the pilot plant to achieve target performance metrics.
- Create, install, and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and controls subsystems.
- Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical equipment, sensors, and mechanical parts as needed to restore pilot machines.
- Work hands-on building systems, as well as supervise and mentor junior technicians and interns.
- Maintain a robust document management system for pilot equipment that includes revision control (P&ID, SOP’s, electrical diagrams).
- Maintain the workspace and ensure tools and spare parts are well stocked.
Ammobia is seeking a do-it-all engineering technician with a bias towards action and rapid design cycles. You have industrial experience in chemicals, energy systems, aerospace, or other dynamic fluid systems. You will build, wire, assemble, maintain, and operate a pilot-scale reactor system. You are comfortable getting your hands dirty, building from scratch, and identifying where to bring in outside vendors/engineers. You are comfortable working on pilot-scale machinery with little supervision.
There will be significant opportunity to grow your role with the company.
Responsibilities may include:
Who You Are
- 4+ years hands-on experience in relevant industrial setting.
- Practical experience assembling/disassembling custom mechanical and electrical systems.
- Practical experience installing, wiring power and signal for, and maintaining hardware such as compressors, pumps, heaters, and instrumentation such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, mass flow controllers, valves, filters, and pressure regulators.
- Deep experience working with high pressure fluid lines: Swagelok-style gas delivery systems, pressure vessels, heaters, and similar.
- Experience working with industrial instrumentation and control systems (e.g. PLC, LabVIEW, or similar).
- Experience working with power tools, basic fabrication, and electrical control panels.
- Self-motivated, hands-on attitude, with a willingness to contribute at all levels.
- Prior experience working with industrial and electrical design practices, codes, and standards for working with high pressure systems.
Nice to Haves
- Proficiency in electrical and controls design
- Experience operating pilot plants, production lines, or large laboratory systems on a shifted schedule
- Experience in start-up environments
- Experience overseeing and maintaining lab space/ machine shop space/ factory
- Experience with hydrogen, ammonia, or other flammables/corrosives
- Familiarity with chemical processing systems
Who We Are
- Healthcare, dental, vision, life insurance
- 401k
- Gym benefit
- Paid time off, including closure between Christmas and New Years
We are a small and passionate team of scientists and engineers. We value teamwork, accountability, open communication, and rapid iteration. We emphasize career growth, mutual feedback, and a fun and exciting working environment. Check out ammobia.co/careers for our full values statement and ammobia.co/team to learn more about us.
The position is full-time and in-person in San Francisco, CA. Compensation and job title will be commensurate with experience.
Benefits include: