Senior Test TechnicianAs a Senior Test Technician on the Antares team, you will work directly alongside Test Engineers to build, operate, instrument, and maintain test infrastructure for the R1 reactor. You will be responsible for assembling test stands, integrating sensors and data acquisition systems, wiring and plumbing test hardware, operating tests safely and accurately, and documenting results and issues.This role is deeply hands-on. You will turn engineering concepts into physical test rigs, operate them during development and qualification testing, and feed back real-time observations to engineers to enable rapid iteration. You will be essential in ensuring data quality, test repeatability, and high operational uptime.Roles and Responsibilities:Build, assemble, and maintain test rigs, fixtures, and support equipment for R1 components and subsystemsInstall and route instrumentation including thermocouples, pressure transducers, strain gauges, flow meters, relays, solenoid valves, and electrical wiringSet up and operate data acquisition systems, sensors, and control hardwareExecute tests following established procedures and document conditions, results, anomalies, and operator observationsSupport the Test Engineer in developing test setups, executing test campaigns, and improving proceduresFabricate brackets, mount points, plumbing, wiring harnesses, and mechanical components (hands-on machining, hand tools, and light fabrication experience preferred)Maintain test areas, equipment, tools, and safety systems to ensure a clean and safe working environmentParticipate in troubleshooting of test stand issues including mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation problemsAssist in root cause investigations by documenting failures, inspecting hardware, and gathering data for engineering reviewMaintain accurate records of test configurations, instrument calibrations, hardware changes, and run logsSupport procurement, receiving, and organization of test components, sensors, and consumablesBasic Qualifications:HS Diploma or GED5+ years of hands-on experience as a test technician, engineering technician, lab technician, or similar technical roleExperience assembling mechanical systems, test fixtures, or prototype hardwareExperience with instrumentation integration (thermocouples, pressure transducers, strain gauges, etc.)Familiarity with data acquisition systems and basic test softwareAbility to read engineering drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and work instructionsStrong mechanical aptitude and experience with hand tools and shop toolsAbility to work safely around high-energy systems, heavy equipment, and complex test setupsPreferred Skills & Experience:Experience building and operating test rigs in an R&D or prototype environmentExperience with plumbing systems (tubing, valves, fittings, brazing, leak checking, etc.)Experience with electrical wiring, harness building, relays, and control panelsExperience working with technicians and engineers to debug hardware and instrumentationFamiliarity with inspection tools (calipers, micrometers, dial indicators, etc.)Experience using CAD or simple CAD viewers (for interpreting models and drawings)Experience working in a fast-paced hardware development environmentWelding, machining, or fabrication experiencePython or general scripting familiarityAdditional Requirements:Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestonesAbility to lift 50 lbsStanding, climbing, bending, grasping, pulling, pushing, and carrying are required to perform job functionsLocation:We are located in Torrance, CA in a 322,000 square foot, brand new facility featuring large open spaces for team collaboration, R&D, and production, as well as easy access to the 405, 105, and 110 freeways. Our facility is in the heart of Los Angeles' vibrant emerging tech ecosystem alongside many other high growth startups and enterprises.Culture:Think in Systems - Energy and Defense are complex ecosystems with numerous stakeholders with competing priorities, conflicting policies, perverse incentives, and emergent and path-dependent properties. First principles thinking alone is insufficient. Think probabilistically and then take action.
"If you want to be certain, then you are apt to be obsolete." Over-optimizing the components often degrades the systemObsess over the End User - The customer and end user are often not the same. We will never build globally competitive commercial products if we lose sight of our end users and their entire interaction with the product life cycleBe Unconstrained by Convention - Our only limits are the laws of physics. Many, even experts, will say what we are working on is impossible. They said the same about SpaceX reusing rockets. Generationally impactful companies, by definition, must accomplish the seemingly impossible. If it were easy, it would have already been done. Never shy away from a solution because it has never been tried before, and never choose to do something because that's "how it's always been done"Go Where the Work Is - Never miss a chance to meet a customer, user, or stakeholder face to face, even if that means hopping on a plane.
If you can't make it, find a teammate who can channel your intentions and go in your place. Deep work can be done from anywhere, but we believe teams are built in person, and aim to maximize our time togetherOperate in the Grey - Embrace nuance in pursuit of truth. Question every fundamental assumptionEqual Opportunity:Antares is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.ITAR RequirementsTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.
§ 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.