High Voltage Electrical Engineer / Technician

Location: Bay Area, in-person preferred

About the Role

Thunderstone is looking for a hands-on High Voltage Electrical Engineer or Technician to become a cornerstone of our lab. You will be directly responsible for the safe and reliable operation of our high-voltage systems, including our Marx generators. Your work isn't just about flipping switches; you will be the expert who ensures our core technology is always running smoothly, enabling rapid-fire experimentation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. This role can be full-time or part-time but requires availability to be on-call to keep our critical systems operational.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of our high-voltage pulse power systems, including Marx generators and / or Cockcroft–Walton multipliers, ensuring they are always ready for experiments.
• Diagnose and fix issues quickly and efficiently, using diagnostic tools like oscilloscopes and multimeters. You'll work on everything from minor wiring adjustments to complex system optimizations.
• Enforce and improve our safety protocols and electrical standards. Your commitment to safety will be paramount.
• Collaborate directly with the engineering team to support fast-paced experimental setups and prototyping.
• Provide timely support for urgent troubleshooting or setup needs to prevent downtime and keep our experiments on track.
• Meticulously document system performance, safety checks, and improvements to help us build a scalable and robust operation.

Who We Are

Thunderstone is a deep-tech startup reinventing how the world accesses critical metals. Traditional mining is excavation-heavy, expensive, and environmentally destructive. We’re using underground lightning (high-voltage pulses) to open microscopic pathways in ore bodies, letting fluids flow and extract metals without digging.

Our work makes mining cleaner, cheaper, and scalable, unlocking the nickel, copper, and other metals the clean energy transition demands. We’re proud to be part of the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program, backed by world-class investors and strategic partners (including Rio Tinto).

If you want to be part of a company where your work doesn't just move experiments forward, but helps move the planet toward a sustainable future, Thunderstone is the place.

• 3-8 years of hands-on experience as an electrical engineer or technician in a lab or industrial setting.

• A background in electrical engineering, applied physics, or relevant technician-level high-voltage training.
• Direct, hands-on experience with high-voltage (>10 kV) systems.
• Proficient in troubleshooting, wiring, and using standard diagnostic tools.
• Familiarity with NFPA 70E or equivalent electrical safety standards is highly preferred.
• Practical, solutions-oriented, and excited to work directly in a fast-paced lab environment.

• Competitive Bay Area salary (approx. $100k–$150k, depending on experience).

• Generous equity options; total compensation (salary + equity) often close to double base salary.
• Milestone-based raise opportunities.
• Flexible time-off, we trust you to manage your schedule and take the time you need to recharge.
• Direct input into shaping our core technology and our team culture.