Electrical Technician

Electrical TechnicianPeriodic Labs is building an autonomous laboratory for high-throughput materials discovery. Our work combines advanced chemistry, robotics, automation, AI, and materials science to accelerate scientific discovery while maintaining high standards of environmental, health, and process safety.We are seeking a hands-on electrical technician who enjoys working with instrumentation, electro-/mechanical systems, and characterization tools - someone who values attention to detail, documentation, and a dynamic lab environment.ResponsibilitiesProvide electrical, instrumentation, and controls technician support to engineers and scientific staffAssist with integrating custom electrical equipment and fixtures, electrical enclosures, and instrumentation/hardware with engineer-provided concepts, sketches, and verbal directionPerform basic electrical calculations using standard engineering formulasInterpret electrical drawings and other technical informationMaintain systems documentation, bill-of-materials, and drawings to keep documentation current, visible, and traceableIncorporate redlines and design changes from engineersQualifications & SkillsRequired:Prior experience as a qualified electrical worker for 208V or aboveHands-on instrumentation & controls experience, including low-voltage (24VDC) wiring and controls enclosure fabricationExperience with field wiring and panel wiringFamiliarity with electrical schematicsExperience with Lock-Out-Tag-Out (LOTO) safety practices and proceduresGood documentation skills, ability to follow protocols, and write clear notes/task summariesFlexibility and ability to adapt to evolving processes and workflows typical of a startup/ research-oriented labPreferred QualificationsExperience in wiring and integrating mass flow controllers (MFCs), pressure transducers, solenoid valves, thermocouples, and various control instrumentation and hardwareComfort with physically wiring various digital and analog input/output devices, lab instrumentation, and controls fieldbuses (e.g., EtherCAT, RS-232/-485, Modbus)Experience selecting appropriate electrical supplies, wire/cable, enclosure components (e.g., relays, circuit breakers, terminal blocks)Comfort troubleshooting instruments or basic electro-/mechanical maintenanceFamiliarity with NFPA70 (NEC), UL508A, or NFPA79Nice to HaveExperience with vacuum systems, gloveboxes, and inert atmosphere processingFamiliarity with AutoCAD (preferably electrical), redlining schematics, and building to printFamiliarity with Beckhoff IPCs, input/output modules, and EtherCAT fieldbusWhat You'll GainHands-on experience working at the cutting edge of materials discovery (superconductors, novel compounds)Exposure to a broad set of material characterization techniques and workflows (from synthesis to cryogenic measurements)Opportunity to help build lab SOPs, workflows, and influence lab design and automation controls development/deployment strategyCollaborative environment with scientists, engineers, and automation experts — good learning and growth potentialSatisfaction of bridging materials science, synthesis, measurement, and data-driven R&DHands-on experience designing, fabricating, and troubleshooting cutting-edge electrical systems for laboratory instrumentation and automationMechanicsRole Type: Contract position. Initial term of 12 months with potential to extend or convert based on lab needs and performanceLocation: Menlo Park, CACompensation: The annual compensation range for this role is $124,000-$153,600Work authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of the contract. Visa sponsorship is not available for this positionWe're building a team of the world's best - the scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers who don't just follow the frontier; they define it. If you're driven to bring AI to life in the physical world and make discoveries that have never been made before, you belong here.