Mechanical Engineer, Senior or Staff

Antora Energy is seeking a Senior or Staff Mechanical Engineer in San Jose, California. In this role, you will design and validate subsystems for thermal batteries, driving innovation in long-duration energy storage. Enjoy competitive salary, stock options, and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off and wellness support. Become a Senior or Staff Mechanical Engineer at Antora Energy in San Jose, California, where you'll lead the design and validation of subsystems for innovative thermal batteries. This hands-on role involves rigorous analysis, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance energy storage technology. Enjoy a competitive salary, stock options, and a robust benefits package, including flexible paid time off and wellness programs.

Antora Energy San Jose, California, United States On-site Full Time USD 129k–210k yearly UTC-08:00

Antora Energy

Company Overview

Name

Antora Energy

Headquarters

Sunnyvale, CA, United States

Founded

2018 (source: contrary.com)

Size

Approximately 150 to 215 employees with an 84% growth in the prior year (source: datanyze.com), revenue estimates between $40.7 million and $59.1 million annually (source: datanyze.com), privately held at Series B stage with total funding raised between $191.63 million and $237 million (source: cbinsights.com).

What They Do

Antora Energy specializes in thermal energy storage solutions aimed at industrial decarbonization, leveraging blocks of solid carbon heated resistively to temperatures up to 2,400°C. This technology allows for multi-day energy storage and discharge as continuous industrial heat or electricity through thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells, achieving over 40% heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency without moving parts (source: antora.com). Their products include modular thermal batteries offered under a "Heat-as-a-Service" model, which provides process heat up to 1,500°C+ and electricity independently, significantly reducing costs compared to traditional storage methods (source: contrary.com). Antora targets heavy industries such as cement, steel, and chemicals, which are responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, focusing on decarbonizing process heat and power needs from megawatts to gigawatts (source: cbinsights.com). The company differentiates itself from competitors through the superior thermal conductivity of carbon, ultra-high temperatures, and the dual output capability of TPV technology (source: cbinsights.com).

Projects & Track Record

In 2023, Antora Energy commissioned its first commercial-scale 5 MWh thermal battery near Fresno, California, in partnership with Wellhead Electric. This project marked the world's first system to deliver continuous 24/7 industrial heat and power from renewables using carbon blocks and TPV technology in a real operating environment (source: contrary.com). The company has also deployed pilot projects across various sectors, leveraging its San Jose facility for rapid iteration and scaling (source: contrary.com). Key clients include Wellhead Electric, with support from grants by organizations such as CalSEED, ARPA-E, and the California Energy Commission, which have been instrumental in advancing their technology (source: calseed.fund).

Recent Developments

Over the past two years, Antora Energy has raised $150 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its total capital to over $200 million to scale manufacturing and deployments (source: cbinsights.com). In 2023, the company launched its San Jose TPV production line, demonstrating over 40% TPV efficiency and opening a 50,000 square foot facility, which is the world's largest TPV manufacturing operation as of 2024 (source: contrary.com). Antora also merged with Medley Thermal to enhance its software for boiler integration, further solidifying its market position (source: contrary.com). The company has been recognized with accolades such as TIME's Best Inventions of 2023 and Fast Company's World Changing Ideas, highlighting its innovative contributions to the energy sector (source: antora.com).

Working There

Antora Energy offers a range of roles across various departments, including engineering, operations, commercial, finance, product management, and communications. Key positions include product development, photovoltaics operations, and business operations, with leadership roles held by individuals such as CEO Andrew Ponec and COO Justin Briggs (source: growjo.com). The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, with significant operations at its San Jose manufacturing site, reflecting its commitment to American manufacturing and job creation (source: linkedin.com). Antora's culture is driven by a mission to tackle industrial emissions, supported by a team of Stanford and MIT alumni, and characterized by rapid iteration and in-house production capabilities (source: contrary.com).

Contact

Website · Careers · LinkedIn

Last updated on 2025-12-25 | Report an issue

Antora builds and deploys thermal batteries to power always-on industrial operations with low-cost energy. Factory-built in the United States, Antora's modular thermal batteries deliver reliable heat and power, enabling industrial facilities of any size to decarbonize predictably and profitably. Antora is electrifying global industry while supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs, lowering costs for energy consumers, and enhancing the competitiveness of American industry.

We are growing our company with people who put team and mission first, value connection through laughter and joy, and build with humility and openness. We are committed to continue building a diverse, passionate, and creative team dedicated to a future where every industrial facility, everywhere on earth, is powered by abundant, clean, low-cost energy.

Position Summary

We are seeking a self-driven and passionate Senior or Staff Mechanical Engineer to join our Product Development Team. In this role, you will own the design, analysis, and validation of subsystems that make Antora's thermal battery possible. Your work will directly accelerate the demonstration and deployment of a first-of-a-kind long-duration energy storage technology.

This is a highly collaborative, hands-on role where you'll work across disciplines to scope, design, and refine mechanical systems from concept through prototyping, testing, and production. You'll also help build the processes, standards, and culture that enable our team to deliver at scale.

Roles & Responsibilities

Own subsystem design: Lead the architecture, analysis, detailed design, and testing of structural, thermal, and fluid components within Antora's thermal battery.
Perform rigorous analysis: Apply calculations, finite element analysis (FEA), and trade studies to guide design decisions.
Drive validation & reliability: Lead prototyping, testing, and root cause analysis to ensure robust, reliable hardware.
Pursue cost-down: Identify and implement design and manufacturing approaches that reduce cost without sacrificing performance.
Collaborate cross-functionally: Define system requirements, lead design reviews, and integrate feedback across teams.
Establish best practices: Develop and maintain CAD standards, documentation, and engineering infrastructure.
Mentor & lead: Guide junior engineers; serve as technical lead.

Key Qualifications

Senior Engineer: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with 6+ years relevant industry experience, OR Master's with 4+ years, OR PhD.
Staff Engineer: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering with 10+ years relevant industry experience, OR Master's with 8+ years, OR PhD with 4+ years.
Examples of relevant industry experience include power generation, aerospace, propulsion, or other industrial hardware products.
Proven track record of taking complex mechanical systems from concept to deployed hardware.
Strong proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks or similar), PDM systems, and creating detailed drawings (GD&T, ASME Y14.5).
Deep experience with machined components for low- to mid-volume production; additional experience with sheet metal, castings, or composites is a plus.
Proficiency in structural and/or thermal analysis (FEA and hand calculations).
Familiarity with systems analysis and risk management tools such as FMEA.
Experience developing engineering processes, standards, and best practices.

Additional Qualifications Desired

Experience designing components for very high-temperature environments (500-2500°C).
Experience with composite and/or brittle materials.
FOAK (first-of-a-kind) product development from concept through sustaining.

Work Location: Onsite - San Jose, CA

Salary Range: $129,000 USD - $210,000 USD

Salary Basis: Annual

Please note that the salary range listed above reflects Antora Energy's estimated pay for this position. The actual salary offered will be within the posted range and determined based on several factors including but not limited to a candidate's experiences, credentials and expertise, as they pertain to the position's requirements.

In addition to a competitive base salary, Antora Energy's Total Rewards program includes equity compensation in the form of stock options, a premium health benefits package with life and disability insurance, a 401K plan with employer contributions, flexible spending accounts, and an industry leading paid-time-off policy that features flexible and inclusive holiday observance, as well as paid volunteer time off.

When it comes to stopping climate change, we need everyone. We believe that having a diversity of backgrounds and experiences strengthens all of us, and we strive to create an environment where every one of us is empowered to create meaningful change.