Laboratory Operations & Maintenance Technician

Job description

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 Laboratory Operations & 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 - 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 and modify gas and fluid handling systems from P&IDs and engineering drawings; assemble and 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 and install supporting infrastructure including tubing, fittings, pumps, sensors, 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 and maintain thermocouples, RTDs, pressure transducers, flow meters, solenoid valves, gas sensors, and safety interlocks - Route, terminate, and 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 and 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 and LOTO requirements; 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; use all appropriate PPE (lab coats, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators) YOU WILL THRIVE IN THIS ROLE IF YOU HAVE - 5+ years of experience in laboratory operations, 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, and mechanical assembly, with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills - An associate degree, technical certification, 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, fitting, and tube bending experience; gas manifold assembly from P&IDs - Vacuum systems and/or compressed gas systems experience - Semiconductor equipment maintenance experience - Electrical troubleshooting down to PCB/component level using multimeters - MaintainX or other CMMS experience - Forklift or material handling equipment experience - Handling of hazardous chemicals & laboratory operations experience - Process piping and instrumentation experience MECHANICS Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or similar experience Location: Menlo Park, CA Compensation: $100,000 - $140,000 Visa sponsorship: No, sorry we are not able to sponsor visas at this time. 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.