Senior Equipment Maintenance Technician

About Periodic Labs

We're an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what's scientifically possible.

About the Role

Periodic Labs is building an autonomous laboratory for high-throughput materials discovery — combining advanced synthesis, characterization, automation, robotics, and AI to accelerate the development of next-generation materials. We're looking for a highly capable, hands-on Senior Equipment Maintenance Technician to help build, maintain, and scale the physical infrastructure that enables our scientific and engineering teams to move quickly.

This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys solving practical problems, working with tools, building systems, troubleshooting equipment, and taking ownership of laboratory operations. You'll work across equipment maintenance, gas and vacuum systems, utilities, instrumentation, automation support, machine shop operations, inventory management, and laboratory buildout projects.

What You'll Do

Equipment Maintenance & Reliability

• Execute preventative maintenance programs for laboratory equipment using MaintainX CMMS; develop and improve maintenance procedures, inspection checklists, and work order templates

• Semiconductor maintenance experience with Thin film, PVD, ALD high vacuum equipment and associated metrology tools

• Perform routine inspections, cleaning, calibration checks, and equipment upkeep across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, gas, vacuum, and fluid handling systems

• Take initiative to troubleshoot to component level and repair equipment; identify recurring failure modes and implement corrective actions to improve uptime

• Coordinate service visits and maintenance activities with equipment vendors

• Service vacuum pumps, cooling water systems, chillers, and associated infrastructure; verify equipment meets OEM specifications after maintenance or repairs

Asset Management & Documentation

• Maintain an accurate asset registry within MaintainX, including equipment records (manuals, schematics, service histories, serial numbers, manufacturer contacts)

• Label equipment with asset numbers and QR codes; update equipment layouts, utility matrices, and infrastructure documentation

• Track maintenance history and equipment performance metrics

Utilities & Infrastructure

• Maintain laboratory utility systems including compressed gases, vacuum systems, process cooling water, exhaust systems, gas detection, and general lab infrastructure

• Build, modify gas, fluid handling systems from P&IDs and engineering drawings; assemble, install tubing, regulators, valves, gauges, sensors, and associated hardware

• Support utility capacity planning and identify infrastructure constraints

Equipment Installation & Commissioning

• Support installation and startup of new laboratory equipment; coordinate utility hookups including power, water, gas, vacuum, and networking

• Procure, install supporting infrastructure including tubing, fittings, pumps, sensors, gas regulators, and instrumentation

• Perform installation verification and commissioning activities; document as-built configurations and equipment changes

Automation & Controls Support

• Support Controls and Automation Engineers with equipment integration projects

• Install, maintain thermocouples, RTDs, pressure transducers, flow meters, solenoid valves, gas sensors, and safety interlocks

• Route, terminate, label instrumentation and communication wiring; assist with sensor replacement, control panel modifications, and field troubleshooting

Machine Shop & Fabrication

• Fabricate fixtures, brackets, guards, adapters, and experimental hardware using drill press, band saw, chop saw, belt sander, bench grinder, manual mill, and manual lathe

• Modify commercial components and support custom equipment builds; maintain machine shop organization and tooling

Inventory & Laboratory Operations

• Maintain inventories of spare parts, maintenance consumables, PPE, and laboratory supplies; identify critical spare parts and establish appropriate stock levels

• Receive, organize incoming equipment, chemicals, gases, and supplies; register chemicals and gas cylinders within laboratory inventory systems

• Coordinate gas cylinder replacement and deliveries; support hazardous waste staging and disposal activities

• Assist with laboratory organization, equipment moves, and expansion projects

Safety & Compliance

• Perform all work in accordance with laboratory safety procedures. Complete all required safety trainings such as: LOTO

• Participate in routine safety inspections and identify unsafe conditions

• Support safe installation and modification of laboratory equipment and infrastructure

• Maintain clean, organized, and professional workspaces

• Must be comfortable using all appropriate PPE (lab coats, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, coveralls, respirators)

You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, semiconductor, chemical processing, pilot plant, industrial maintenance, or a related environment

• The ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, electrical wiring diagrams, and equipment manuals

• Strong hands-on experience with hand tools, power tools, mechanical assembly, with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

• Technical degree, military technical training, trade apprenticeship, or equivalent hands-on experience

• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment with shifting priorities

Especially Strong Candidates Should Have

• Swagelok tubing, fittings, tube bending, and gas manifold assembly experience working from P&IDs

• Vacuum systems and/or compressed gas systems experience

• Electrical troubleshooting down to PCB/component level using multimeters, diagnostic tools.

• MaintainX or other CMMS experience

• Forklift or material handling equipment experience

• Experienced in safe handling of hazardous chemicals & laboratory operations

• Process piping and instrumentation installation, modification experience

Mechanics

• Role Type: Contract position. Initial term of 6 months with potential to extend or convert based on lab needs and performance

• Minimum education: High school diploma or equivalent, plus relevant hands-on experience; technical degree or certificate preferred

• Location: On-site in Menlo Park, CA

• Schedule: Swing shift with flexibility to work on weekends

• Compensation: $45-$78 per hour

• Work authorization: Must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of the contract. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

We'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.