Prototype Technician, Rotating Machinery
About the Company
The open ocean is Earth’s largest and most power-dense renewable energy resource. Panthalassa is harnessing that resource to generate the cheapest energy on the planet. Our mission is to provide abundant and affordable clean energy for everyone.
Founded in 2016 and based in the Pacific Northwest, our team comes from diverse backgrounds in aerospace, naval architecture, marine operations, hardware, software, and research.
About the Job
Our core technology is the Node, a device that produces energy in the ocean’s harshest conditions for years at a time without human maintenance or intervention. The Node's turbo-generator system is the critical component which includes all components from the fluid interface through to encompassing electromechanical energy conversion, dynamic sealing, structural integration, and control interfaces.
As the Technician – Turbines & Generators, you will support the manufacturing, machining, assembly, and integration of hydro turbines and generators. This is a roll-up-your-sleeves role in which you'll prototype, build, and troubleshoot alongside world-class engineers.
This role sits at the intersection of precision machining, electromechanical assembly, and innovative fixture design, supporting prototype builds as well as low-volume production. You will work closely with generators, fluid dynamics, mechanical engineers and highly skilled electrical technicians to translate designs into robust, manufacturable hardware, ultimately ending in its deployment in the Node at sea.
Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and thrive in a creative, scrappy, and collaborative environment in which the best ideas change the company’s direction on a regular basis. If you are an excellent technician, regardless of your background, we want you to apply.
Our staff have worked at organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Tesla, Apple, Virgin Orbit, Astra, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, New Relic, Bridgewater, Raytheon, Disney Imagineering, and the US Army and Air Force, as well as research universities, startups, and small companies across a range of industries. We are organized as a public benefit corporation and are backed by leading venture capital firms, private investors, philanthropic investors, and endowments.
We strive to be the best engineering team on the planet, and we compensate our engineers accordingly.
Responsibilities
- Assemble hydro turbine components such as rotors, stators, shafts, bearings, seals, and housings with high dimensional accuracy
- Assemble the generator components viz. Rotor-shaft assembly and balancing support, Magnet handling, placement and bonding, stator insertion, alignment and mechanical fastening
- Work on stator-housing integration, stator – rotor integration, turbine-generator integration etc.
- Execute precise stator-rotor airgap alignment and verification
- Support trial builds, teardowns, re-assembly and design iterations
- Perform conventional machining operations viz. lathe, milling, drilling, grinding as needed
- Interpret and work from detailed manufacturing drawings and CAD models
- Collaborate with design engineers to suggest manufacturability improvements
- Design, fabricate, and validate custom assembly fixtures, jigs, and alignment tools
- Develop innovative fixture solutions for Magnet assembly, stator handling and insertion, parts integration, Turbine and generator alignment etc.
- Come up with the CAD models and drawings for the necessary fixtures and assemblies
- Utilize 3D printing for rapid prototyping of fixtures and mock-ups
- Perform dimensional inspections using Vernier Calipers, micrometers, bore gauges, Dial indicators, height gauges etc.
- Ensure compliance with tolerance stack-ups during assembly
- Document assembly procedures, inspection reports, and deviations
- Provide feedback on assembly challenges, tolerance feasibility and fixture effectiveness
- Support prototype iteration cycles and root-cause analysis
- Contribute ideas to improve build repeatability, safety, and efficiency
Required qualifications:
- Diploma / Associate degree in mechanical engineering, Tool & Die, Electromechanics, Manufacturing technology
- Experience in turbo-machinery, motors, generators or rotating equipment prototype build and assembly
- Strong hands-on experience with precision mechanical assembly, conventional machining processes etc.
- Working knowledge of GD&T and tolerance interpretation
- Experience using 3D printing for functional prototyping or tooling
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Able to independently work on complex fixtures and assembly designs
- Strong problem-solving and hands-on troubleshooting ability
- High technical curiosity and a passion for learning
- Innovative mindset, comfortable designing solutions when standard tools don’t exist
- High attention to detail and craftsmanship
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills
Desired qualifications:
- 10+ years in a similar role
- Prior exposure to hydro turbines, electric motors, or generators
- Experience operating and supporting multi-axis CNC machines for shafts, turbine runners, fixtures, tooling etc.
- Familiarity with magnetic components and magnet safety
- Experience assembling high-precision rotating machinery
- Basic understanding of hydro turbines and electrical machines (stators, windings, insulation systems)
- Experience working alongside R&D teams in iterative development environments
- Experience working on marine or offshore machinery
- Familiarity with materials and coatings for submerged or corrosive environments
- Experience working on subsea bearings, or hydrodynamic bearings, or hydrostatic bearings
- Experience working on laser cutting and laser welding processes
- Experience with instrumentation and controls (pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, etc.)
- Familiarity with NX/Teamcenter
- Read and interpret GD&T per ASME Y14.5 standards
The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.
Additional Requirements
- Travel to vendors and test sites as needed
- Intermittently able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs. While we expect a lot of each other, we also offer a high degree of autonomy and work-life balance, including unlimited PTO and flexible working hours.
Compensation and Benefits
If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:
- Cash compensation of $45 - 55/hour
- Equity in the company. We’re all owners and if we’re successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.
- A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:
- Flexible paid time off
- Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
- Dental insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees and 100% for their partners and dependents)
- Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)
- Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long term financial support if you become disabled)
- Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA
- Relocation assistance to help facilitate your move to Portland if needed.
Location
This is an on-site position. Our offices, lab, and shop are located in Portland, Oregon.