R&D Technician

About the role

Solcoa Industries is a rare earth metals producer based in Alameda, California. We are dedicated to producing high-purity metals and alloys used in various critical applications such as fighter jets, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and smartphones. Our mission is to rebuild the supply chain for these essential materials, which have historically been sourced primarily from China.

Responsibilities

• Operate high-temperature and vacuum reactor systems, build and assemble components, and execute test plans.
• Maintain and improve production lines, monitor process parameters, diagnose issues, and perform first-line troubleshooting and preventive maintenance.
• Handle materials safely, including hot parts, inert gases, and powders, and ensure a clean, organized work area.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by proposing upgrades, documenting changes, and implementing fixes quickly.
• Collaborate with engineers on experiments and scale-up activities, providing practical feedback from the floor.

Requirements

• Hands-on fabrication experience (basic machining, assembly; welding is a plus).
• Experience operating high-temperature or vacuum systems (reactors, furnaces, gloveboxes, pumps, or similar).
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort with tools, rigging, and safe equipment handling.
• Detail-orientation and rigorous adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and documentation.
• Comfort working independently in a fast-paced, build-measure-learn environment.
• Availability to start soon.

Preferred

• Experience building or assisting in the build of high-temperature reactors or vacuum subsystems.
• Basic CAD familiarity (Fusion or similar) for simple prints/markups.
• Coursework or experience in chemistry or physics (thermo, materials, reaction engineering, or similar).

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-provided lunch daily
• Visa sponsorship available if needed