Build the future with Nirvana Energy. Nirvana Energy Systems is building a new class of energy infrastructure: solid-state thermoacoustic Stirling engine systems that generate power, heating, cooling, and cryocooling from a single platform.

No compressors. No refrigerants. No conventional maintenance cycles.
Just physics, pushed to its limits.

The platform is rooted in decades of research and development by Stanford, NASA, SRI, and PARC and is moving from prototype toward real-world deployment across AI data centers, defense systems, and next-generation heating and cooling.

About Nirvana

We understand that no one individual knows everything. We will learn together and from one another. We strive to build a collaborative, enriching environment that supports personal, technical, and career growth. You can expect to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment driven by first-principles engineering and focused on solving difficult problems.

Job Overview

We are looking for a skilled manufacturing technician to drive engineering builds and the early manufacturing scale-up of complex hardware. You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, operations, and equipment teams to establish repeatable processes, execute and track unit builds, and support product-launch development through all phases of the engineering lifecycle.

Your timely, technically grounded feedback to the engineering team will be pivotal in improving the product, with particular attention to safety, quality, and reliability. This is a versatile, hands-on role that welcomes innovative, outside-the-box thinking in the pursuit of manufacturing excellence.

How You Will Contribute

Engineering Builds & Early Manufacturing

• Execute and support builds of complex, first-of-a-kind hardware through prototype, pilot, and early production phases.
• Plan, execute, and track multiple units through defined build, inspection, bring-up, and test stages.
• Perform precision mechanical assembly, basic wiring, plumbing, integration, teardown, inspection, and rebuild of systems and subassemblies.
• Maintain build quality, cleanliness, traceability, and documentation standards throughout each unit’s lifecycle.

Troubleshooting & Engineering Feedback

• Lead hands-on troubleshooting, issue identification, and documentation during builds, system bring-up, and early manufacturing runs.
• Diagnose complex assemblies using first-principles reasoning, structured teardown, measurement, and inspection.
• Document learnings and failure modes, analyze relevant data, and communicate clear findings to engineering and project management.
• Help translate build and test findings into tracked product changes and incremental improvements for future units.

Process, Test & Equipment Development

• Collaborate with manufacturing, hardware engineering, electronics, reliability, test, and operations teams to develop prototype build and test processes.
• Help create failure-mode identification methods, troubleshooting playbooks, work instructions, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for experimental systems and evolving designs.
• Support the bring-up, validation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of equipment, test systems, fixtures, and specialized tooling used in assembly and verification.
• Install and connect instrumentation, execute test procedures, collect data, monitor systems, and promptly flag anomalous conditions or failures.

Shop Operations, Tooling & Materials

• Safely operate and maintain hand tools, power tools, shop equipment, and automated manufacturing equipment appropriate to the work.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and efficient shop environment and follow all operating and safety procedures.
• Identify and track parts, components, materials, and consumables; help identify suppliers and place orders when necessary and authorized.
• Support inventory accuracy, part availability, and configuration control for active engineering builds.

What You Will Bring

We have a short list of must-have requirements. We prioritize a strong grip on first principles, hands-on skill, sound judgment, and a sense of initiative. Domain-specific knowledge and experience will help determine the career level for each hire.

Must-Have Requirements

• Proven hands-on technical assembly, troubleshooting, and diagnostic experience in manufacturing builds, new product introduction (NPI), R&D, or early production environments, with strong attention to detail and quality.
• Ability to track, document, prioritize, and manage multiple units through different build and test stages.
• Experience tearing down, diagnosing, troubleshooting, repairing, and rebuilding complex manufactured assemblies.
• Familiarity with hand tools, power tools, machine-shop equipment, automated equipment, or a combination of these used to produce finished assemblies.
• At least one year of hands-on experience with lathe and mill processes.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, operating instructions, assembly instructions, and procedure manuals, including critical quality and assembly features.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership, follow instructions when required, and contribute effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong first-principles problem-solving skills, mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and commitment to safety, quality, and reliability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to provide concise, technically useful feedback across functions.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and own change management across product iterations, experiments, and evolving priorities.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Ability to lift and handle up to 70 pounds, with frequent standing, walking, bending, and hands-on shop work.

Nice to Haves

• Demonstrated hardware-systems aptitude and experience building complex systems from the ground up.
• Background in manufacturing process development, NPI, lean methods, or continuous improvement.
• Experience with engines, HVAC, energy systems, thermal systems, high-pressure systems, vacuum systems, or fluid systems.
• Experience with prototype development, low-volume builds, or fast-paced R&D and startup environments.
• Experience with basic instrumentation, data-acquisition (DAQ) systems, sensors, and structured data collection.
• Experience with 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, milling, drilling, CATIA, or SolidWorks.
• College or technical-school coursework in manufacturing, mechanical, or electrical technology.

Why Nirvana

• Work on breakthrough, NASA-derived technology with meaningful real-world impact.
• Be part of a small, highly collaborative team building a new category of energy hardware.
• Gain direct exposure to prototype development, manufacturing scale-up, testing, and deployment.
• Help establish the processes, tooling, and quality systems that will shape future production.
• Build your technical range and career as the company and platform grow.

Compensation & Featured Benefits

Nirvana Energy Systems provides competitive compensation, including salary and equity, and a comprehensive benefits package. The salary range for this role is $47,000–$53,000.

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid maternity leave
• Paid paternity leave

Who Should Apply

If you want a purely desk-based role, this is not it.