Principal Engineering Technician, Tech Operations at Form Energy — Berkeley, CA

Role Description

Form Energy is hiring a Principal Engineering Technician to serve as the operational lead Tech Operations team. This role is designed for a veteran technician who can drive quality, process and execution excellence into a team of technicians supporting the prototyping and build efforts for our Product Engineering organization.

You will be the "Gold Standard" for all electrical builds, responsible for transforming complex schematics into functional products. From wiring industrial control cabinets to fabricating custom harnesses for BMS validation, you will set the tone for craftsmanship, safety, and speed. When the mission shifts, you are equally comfortable in the machine shop, jumping in to assist with prototyping and mechanical assembly builds.

What you'll do

• Lead the assembly of control cabinets (UL 508A), ensuring precision wiring of PLCs, safety interlocks, and communication gateways.
• Execute and oversee the fabrication of high-power DC busbars and AC interconnects, maintaining strict standards for torque, insulation, and clearance.
• Architect and build complex, high-reliability harnesses for test assets and prototype product builds; perform precision PCBA rework and micro-soldering for prototype hardware.
• Define and enforce lab-wide standards for wire routing, labeling, and crimping quality, ensuring all prototypes are "field-ready" in their build quality.
• Install and calibrate sensors (thermocouples, strain gauges, pressure transducers) across test assets to ensure high-fidelity data collection.
• Manage the commissioning of new equipment, including verifying basic functionality, safety compliance, and initial system bring-up.
• Jump into the shop to modify enclosures, fabricate custom mounting brackets, or create specialized test fixtures using manual mills, lathes, and welding equipment.
• Train junior technicians and engineers in the "art of the build," from proper crimping techniques to reading complex P&IDs and schematics.

What you'll bring:

• 8+ years of hands-on experience in a startup environment, leading teams and processes.
• Mastery of industrial electrical assembly, including 480VAC/1000VDC+ systems, PLC integration, and signal-level communication (CAN, Modbus).
• Highly proficient in mechanical fabrication, including metalwork, thermal system plumbing, and the use of machine shop equipment.
• Familiarity with IPC-A-610/WHMA-A-620; NFPA 70E training is a significant plus.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex electrical/mechanical integration issues on the fly without losing momentum.

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