Ops Technician

Hippo Harvest; Pescadero (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental benefits

Paid Sick, Vacation, and Personal Hours

Stock option package

Job summary

Hippo Harvest is seeking an Ops Technician in Pescadero, CA, to maintain and improve our agricultural infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have skills in HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, and robotics systems.

This full-time role offers a salary range of $80,000 to $110,000 based on experience and includes benefits like medical and dental coverage, paid vacation, and stock options.

Qualifications

• Experience in maintaining complex infrastructure systems.
• Comfortable working around robotics and automation.
• Willingness to be on-call for urgent needs.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance on HVAC, refrigeration, and plumbing systems.
• Support robotics operations by maintaining relevant infrastructure.
• Monitor building automation systems for alerts.

Skills

Strong mechanical aptitude

Ability to read technical manuals

Proficiency with digital tools

Education

Vocational training or Bachelor's in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Tools

HVAC systems

Refrigeration

Water treatment systems

Job description

Hippo Harvest Ops Technician Pescadero, CA · Full time

Hippo Harvest is recruiting a Technician to serve as a hands‑on expert maintaining and improving our diverse machinery and infrastructure.

About Hippo Harvest

We are a controlled environment agriculture (CEA) startup that leverages plant science, machine learning, and robotics to economically and sustainably grow vegetables in greenhouses.

Description

Overview

In a world increasingly impacted by climate change, pollution, and population growth, conventional vegetable production is unsustainable. Greenhouse hydroponics uses up to 90% less water, increases yields, reduces food waste, uses fewer pesticides, eliminates fertilizer runoff, and enables local production. Still, greenhouse producers remain a niche due to high capital and labor costs and operational complexity.

Hippo Harvest has broken through this barrier by developing the first vertically integrated physical AI platform for growing leafy greens that are cost‑competitive with conventional field production. Hippo's products deliver longer shelf life, better flavor, and more reliable supply. We're recruiting a Facilities Technician to ensure our complex agricultural infrastructure operates reliably and efficiently as we scale our operations.

As an Ops Technician at Hippo Harvest, you will be the hands‑on expert maintaining and improving our diverse infrastructure systems—from HVAC and refrigeration to robotics integration, electrical systems, water treatment, and fixed automation. Your work will directly enable our robots and growing systems to perform at their best, keeping our farm running 24/7 to deliver fresh, sustainable produce.

We are accepting applications from Tech I through Tech III (with management scope).

You Will

• Perform preventive maintenance and hands‑on repairs across electrical, mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, water treatment (RO systems, nutrient dosing), and plumbing systems.
• Maintain and troubleshoot greenhouse environmental controls including ventilation, shade and blackout curtains, heating systems, LED grow lights, and climate sensors—with full engineering team support.
• Support our robotics operations by maintaining the infrastructure that enables our robots to run: navigation hardware, network equipment, and power systems.
• Keep packhouse equipment running smoothly: conveyors, air compressors, refrigeration systems, and packaging machinery.
• Monitor building automation systems and respond to environmental alerts or equipment notifications to prevent downtime.
• Identify and implement improvements to existing infrastructure—increasing reliability, efficiency, and safety.
• Maintain backup power systems including four generators, coordinating with vendors for specialized repairs.
• Conduct regular inspections and maintain detailed maintenance records using our digital systems.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and growing teams to prioritize work and minimize production impact.
• Respond rapidly to urgent maintenance needs and troubleshoot equipment failures to minimize crop loss.

You Have

• Strong mechanical aptitude and genuine interest in how systems work—electrical, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, or related domains.
• A demonstrated history of learning, building, improving, or designing physical systems (this can be through work experience, academic projects, internships, or personal projects).
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and equipment documentation.
• Self‑directed, organized work style with strong attention to detail.
• Comfortable working around robotics and automation infrastructure.
• Physical capability to perform maintenance tasks: lifting, climbing ladders, working in varied environmental conditions.
• Willingness to be on‑call for urgent needs and occasional weekend coverage.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Proficiency with digital productivity tools (Google Sheets, work order systems, apps, and planning tools).

Nice to Have

• Vocational training, Bachelor's degree (or active enrollment) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field—or equivalent hands‑on technical training.
• Experience in agriculture, food production, automated manufacturing, or a similarly complex industrial environment.
• Hands‑on experience with any of the following: HVAC systems, refrigeration, water treatment, electrical systems, pneumatics, or conveyors.
• Exposure to building automation systems or industrial controls.
• Experience designing or implementing system improvements.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Mission-aligned: Shape the future of sustainable agriculture!
• Autonomy: High level of agency and freedom to build systems & own outcomes.
• Team‑first: We value integrity, empathy, hard work, and results‑driven collaboration.
• Growth opportunity: Your efforts will define our trajectory; you'll have a unique opportunity to interact with electrical, water, infrastructure, robotics, sensing and fixed automation systems.

Apply

• Compensation: $80,000 – $110,000 in annual compensation dependent on skillset, seniority, and background, recruiting for Technicians level II and III.
• Stock option package included in offer.
• Competitive benefits: package including Medical and Dental, Paid Sick, Vacation, Holiday Time, and Personal Hours.
• If you’re interested in this position, please visit our careers page at jobs.hippoharvest.com.

Salary

$80,000 - $110,000 per year

Hippo Harvest is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status.