R&D Technician El Segundo, CA

Arbor; San Bernardino, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Unlimited PTO

12+ company holidays

401(k)

Job summary

Arbor Energy in El Segundo, CA, seeks a skilled R&D propulsion technician to fabricate, machine, test, and assemble propulsion hardware. You will build test stands, run campaigns, and collaborate with engineers on turbomachinery and high-pressure systems at Arbor HQ and other sites.

The role requires 3+ years in propulsion/test environments, hands-on lab work, and the ability to handle high-pressure fluids. Occasional travel to San Bernardino is required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 3+ years of experience with aerospace development propulsion and test systems.
• 3+ years of experience with rapid design, test, and production iterations.
• 5+ years of experience in hardware development assembly, testing, and manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with test equipment such as valves, regulators, actuators, power supplies, pressure sensors and thermocouples.
• Track record of delivering large and complex projects on time.
• Experience with high pressure and high temperature fluid systems including oxygen systems.
• Experience with teardown of hardware and post-test inspections and documentation.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings, manuals, and reports.
• Ability to work all required shift hours, including overtime and weekends when needed.
• Experience working on aircraft or rocket engines.
• Up to 50% of travel required to test site in San Bernardino
• Valid US driver’s license

Responsibilities

• Work with a team of ambitious, quality-focused technicians, fostering a culture of technical excellence, teamwork, and accountability.
• Support the manufacturing, assembly, disassembly, troubleshooting, and off-site technician support for Test and R&D operations and hardware specific to Arbor’s goals
• Support assembly / disassembly of turbomachinery, combustion devices, gasification systems, fluid panels, etc.
• As needed, work with leadership on any shipping logistics to/from test sites/vendors

Skills

Aerospace propulsion testing

Machining

Test equipment operation

Reading technical drawings

Electrical systems

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Valves

Regulators

Actuators

Pressure sensors

Thermocouples

Job description

At Arbor Energy & Resources Corporation ("Arbor Energy"), we’re creating technology to power our lives while protecting the planet that sustains them. Our advanced power systems deliver clean, reliable baseload electricity with zero operating emissions—modular, fuel-flexible, and engineered for the realities of today’s energy demand. At the core is a supercritical CO₂ turbine with integrated carbon capture, designed to bring carbon-neutral power online quickly at meaningful scale.

Our team includes aerospace engineers, combustion experts, and systems thinkers with a shared goal: to build technology worthy of the world we want to live in. While many of us began our journeys looking to the stars, we’re applying that expertise here at home to deliver dependable, emission-free baseload power and a future of lasting abundance.

If you share our values and are drawn to rigorous work with lasting impact, we’d love to learn more about you. Come build what the future will run on.

Steward our planet: We build for tomorrow, ensuring every bolt we tighten and every hand we lend leaves our environment stronger than we found it.

Lead with Love: We champion the success of our people, partners, and planet, nurturing excellence through camaraderie and rigor.

Explore the Uncharted: We embrace the unknown with curiosity, using courage and discipline to transform uncertainty into opportunity.

Role Overview

We are seeking a skilled R&D propulsion technician to join our team. In this role you will be responsible for fabrication , machining, test, and assembly at Arbor HQ in El Segundo. Additionally, you will be working with the engineering teams to build test stands, test apparatus, and run test campaigns at Arbor HQ in El Segundo and other test sites. Skills and prior experience in high pressure fluid testing, R&D operations, machining, turbomachinery assembly , and electrical will allow for success in this role.

This is an in person opportunity in our El Segundo, CA.

Responsibilities

• Work with a team of ambitious, quality-focused technicians, fostering a culture of technical excellence, teamwork, and accountability.
• Support the manufacturing, assembly, disassembly, troubleshooting, and off-site technician support for Test and R&D operations and hardware specific to Arbor’s goals
• Support assembly / disassembly of turbomachinery, combustion devices, gasification systems, fluid panels, etc.
• As needed, work with leadership on any shipping logistics to/from test sites/venders

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalency certificate

3+ years of experience with aerospace development propulsion and test systems

3+ years of experience working with rapid design, test, and production iterations

5+ years of experience in hardware development assembly, testing, and manufacturing

Hands-on experience with test equipment such as valves, regulators, actuators, power supplies, pressure sensors and thermocouples

Track record of delivering large and complex projects on time

Experience with high pressure and high temperature fluid systems including oxygen systems

Experience with teardown of hardware and post-test inspections and documentation

Ability to read and understand technical drawings, manuals, and reports

Ability to work all required shift hours, including overtime and weekends when needed

Experience working on aircraft or rocket engines

Up to 50% of travel required to test site in San Bernardino

Valid US driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience using precision measuring instruments

Ability to work effectively in a team environment

Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment

Stock options

Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Arbor covers 90% for employees)

Basic life insurance fully covered

Health savings account (HSA) with matching

Flexible savings account (FSA)

Unlimited PTO

12+ company holidays, including Earth Day!

401(k)

Annual learning and development stipend

And more!

Base Pay: $30.00 - 40.00 USD/hour. The base pay is subject to the applicant's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.

Arbor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Solving global energy challenges requires a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to building a team that reflects the world we serve.

Our Commitment

Arbor Energy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Solving global energy challenges requires a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to building a team that reflects the world we serve.

Our hiring process is designed to be accessible, fair, and focused on the work that matters most for this role. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process and employment—please let us know if you need one.

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