Senior R&D Test Engineer

Antora Energy • San Jose, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Antora is seeking an experienced Senior R&D Test Engineer to lead the development and execution of high-value test programs that de-risk the next generation of our thermal energy storage and combined heat and power systems. This person will lead a small team to execute sub-scale and full-scale investigations across Antora’s TES modules and balance of plant, translating product development goals into safe, well-instrumented, and actionable experiments. In addition to driving technical execution, this role will help shape the test infrastructure, operating systems, and team culture needed to scale R&D test operations efficiently. The work will directly influence key product decisions, demonstration milestones, and Antora’s path to commercialization in new markets.

Requirements

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering field; advanced degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in test engineering, test operations, controls engineering, field engineering, or closely related roles supporting complex industrial hardware systems.
• Demonstrated experience operating, troubleshooting, developing high-temperature and/or high-power systems in environments such as energy, industrial processing, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, or other demanding hardware settings.
• Strong engineering fundamentals across thermal, fluids, electrical, and mechanical systems, with the ability to interpret data and diagnose failure modes in multidisciplinary equipment.
• Hands-on experience building, modifying, maintaining, and troubleshooting experimental or industrial equipment, including instrumentation, plumbing, electrical systems, and control hardware.
• Experience leading small technical teams, providing day-to-day direction to engineers and technicians and promoting a healthy team culture.
• Experience creating or improving structured test operations, such as SOPs, operating procedures, test plans, automation workflows, data pipelines, or standardized reporting methods.
• Proficient in and actively leveraging novel AI tools to increase efficiency in research, planning and execution.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with engineers, technicians, and operators to drive investigations from concept through execution and follow-through.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe execution in hazardous or operationally complex environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical findings clearly and drive decisions from data.
• Willingness to work onsite and flex hours as needed to support critical test execution, including 24/7 test operations and occasional travel to commercial and R&D sites.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on commissioning experience on first-of-a-kind hardware, demonstration systems, or pilot-scale or greater industrial equipment.
• Experience with industrial controls, sensing and automation - PLCs, SCADA, analog and digital comms,
• Experience with industrial process piping and electrical design, including wiring diagrams, P&IDs, instrumentation lists, etc.
• Experience developing test automation, scripting, or data analysis tools based in Python, JavaScript, etc. Experience leveraging AI for rapid development of such tools.
• Experience in a startup or fast-paced product development environment where priorities evolve quickly and teams are expected to operate with high ownership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of sub-scale and full-scale R&D test campaigns to evaluate and de-risk Antora’s thermal energy storage modules, CHP systems, and supporting balance of-plant hardware.
• Lead the design, implementation and operation of new test infrastructure for high-temperature, high-power experiments, including process piping, instrumentation and controls, high-power electrical and safety systems
• Translate product and technology development goals into structured experimental plans, including test objectives, success criteria, operating procedures, and data review methods.
• Develop and improve the systems that enable efficient test operations, including SOPs, test recipes, scheduling methods, data analysis workflows, and reporting tools.
• Partner closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, and technology development teams to identify design risks, root-cause failures, and generate recommendations that improve product performance and reliability.
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause investigations across mechanical, thermal, fluid, electrical, and controls systems, using strong engineering fundamentals and hands-on problem solving.
• Maintain and continuously improve a strong safety culture by identifying hazards, defining safe operating boundaries, and implementing appropriate interlocks, procedures, and training.
• Mentor and support junior engineers and technicians, helping build a team culture that is rigorous, collaborative, respectful, and energized by ambitious technical work.
• Identify opportunities to improve Antora’s test capabilities and advocate for high-value investments in new test infrastructure, tools, and methods.

Benefits

• equity compensation in the form of stock options
• a premium health benefits package with life and disability insurance
• a 401K plan with employer contributions
• flexible spending accounts
• an industry leading paid-time-off policy that features flexible and inclusive holiday observance
• paid volunteer time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees