Reliability Test Engineer

Become a Reliability Test Engineer at Rondo Energy in Alameda, California. Drive innovation in testing thermal systems and ensure reliability of Rondo's Heat Batteries. Enjoy comprehensive medical benefits, flexible time off, and stunning Bay views. Join Rondo Energy as a Reliability Test Engineer in Alameda, California, and help drive innovation in testing thermal and heat transfer systems for industrial applications. You will design and commission custom test rigs, perform accelerated life testing, and analyze data to ensure reliability. Enjoy comprehensive medical benefits, flexible time off, and catered lunches, all while working in a stunning location near the Bay.

Rondo Energy Alameda, California, United States On-site Full Time USD 110k–170k yearly UTC-08:00

Rondo Energy

Company Overview

Name

Rondo Energy

Headquarters

Alameda, California, United States

Founded

2020

Size

Employee count is not publicly specified, and as a private company, no revenue figures are disclosed; total funding raised is $82 million (source: cbinsights.com).

What They Do

Rondo Energy focuses on electrified thermal energy storage, specifically through its innovative Rondo Heat Battery (RHB) technology. This technology converts intermittent renewable electricity from sources such as wind and solar into high-temperature heat, which is stored in refractory bricks heated to temperatures between 1100-1500°C. The stored energy can then be dispatched as superheated air, process heat, steam, or power with an impressive efficiency of over 98% for extended periods, making it a viable solution for industries that require continuous high-temperature heat (source: rondo.com). Rondo's products are particularly targeted at sectors like steel, cement, chemicals, food processing, biofuels, textiles, and mining, where high-temperature heat is essential for operations. The company offers scalable systems ranging from pilot-scale deployments to larger commercial applications, catering to a diverse range of industrial needs (source: cbinsights.com). By providing a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries, Rondo differentiates itself in the market, focusing on thermal storage solutions that do not rely on rare materials, thus enhancing sustainability and accessibility for heavy industries globally (source: weforum.org).

Projects & Track Record

Rondo Energy has made significant strides in the deployment of its Heat Battery technology, with its first pilot-scale 2 MWh Heat Battery operational since 2023 at a California ethanol production facility. This deployment marks a pivotal moment for the company as it represents its initial major project in the field (source: canarymedia.com). The company has announced a total of 11 commercial developments, including 8 RHB deployments that collectively exceed 200 MWh. Notably, Rondo is working on a Heat-as-a-Service solution for HEINEKEN, which is powered by on-site solar and grid renewables, with support from major partners like EDP and the European Investment Bank (source: rondo.com). Rondo's partnerships span various industries, including food and beverage, cement production, mining, and textiles, with a total of 3 GWh in committed capacity across four major partnerships (source: rondo.com). The company's geographic presence is primarily in the United States, with its headquarters in Alameda and ongoing projects in California, while also expanding into Europe through its collaboration with HEINEKEN (source: cbinsights.com).

Recent Developments

In the past two years, Rondo Energy has successfully secured a Series B - II funding round, building on a previous $22 million Series A funding closed in February 2022. This funding was led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Energy Impact Partners, aimed at enhancing manufacturing capabilities and facilitating customer deliveries (source: rondo.com). The company has made headlines with its HEINEKEN Heat-as-a-Service contract, which was announced as a significant milestone in 2025, alongside the deployment of over 200 MWh across 11 commercial projects (source: rondo.com). Additionally, Rondo was granted a U.S. patent on February 25, 2025, for a thermal energy storage system that integrates with steam cracking systems, showcasing its commitment to innovation in energy storage and conversion technologies (source: cbinsights.com). While no acquisitions or mergers have been reported, Rondo continues to achieve operational milestones and gain recognition from investors for its efforts in addressing industrial heat challenges (source: canarymedia.com).

Working There

Rondo Energy's LinkedIn page indicates that the company is actively hiring for various roles primarily in engineering, manufacturing, project development, and operations. The departments include research and development focused on Heat Battery technology, sales teams targeting industrial clients, deployment teams for project execution, and support functions such as finance, reflecting the company's growth phase (source: linkedin.com). Most hiring efforts are concentrated at the Alameda headquarters, although there may be remote or project-based opportunities associated with U.S. pilots and European expansions like the HEINEKEN project (source: cbinsights.com). The company culture is characterized by a mission-driven approach to decarbonization, emphasizing collaboration with top investors and a commitment to scaling operations for profitability, as highlighted by CEO John O’Donnell in recent funding announcements (source: rondo.com). While specific employee benefits are not detailed in public sources, the venture-backed nature of Rondo suggests competitive compensation packages typical for Series B clean-tech firms in California, including potential equity options (source: linkedin.com).

Contact

Website · Careers · LinkedIn

Last updated on 2025-12-26 | Report an issue

Rondo Energy's mission is to eliminate 15% of global CO2 emissions in 15 years.

To accomplish this mission, Rondo is deploying low-cost, zero-carbon Rondo Heat Batteries to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and to significantly decarbonize industrial processes that are commonly thought of as "difficult-to-decarbonize". Our Heat Batteries charge from intermittent renewables to provide high temperature, continuous heat for customers safely, reliably, at an unprecedented 98% efficiency - and at a cost point that is lower than any other method.

We are looking for an experienced Reliability Test Engineer to join our team and drive innovation in testing thermal and heat transfer systems for industrial heat applications at scale. You will be responsible for designing, building, and commissioning custom test rigs. You will also execute tests to demonstrate reliability of Rondo components and systems.

Join our team, and together we can reduce global CO₂ emissions by 1% in 10 years, and by 15% in 15 years!

What You Will Do (key responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to)

Perform and operate tests for accelerated life testing (ALT), highly accelerated life testing (HALT), and highly accelerated stress screening (HASS).
Develop SCADA/HMI screens and dashboards for custom equipment.
Write test automation code, via Ignition, Python or similar.
Assist in conceptual design of custom test equipment.
Integrate and calibrate various process sensors (temperature, heat flux, power measurement, etc.) to support accurate and reliable testing of thermal systems.
Prioritize safety by implementing and adhering to safety protocols and industry standards throughout testing processes.
Assist in building test equipment and fixtures for mechanical, electrical, and thermal testing.
Analyze test data and provide reports to key stakeholders.
Assist in developing reliability metrics and lifetime assessments.

What You Will Bring

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Thermal Engineering, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in operating test equipment and testing systems and components.
Experience with low voltage control panel design and PLC programming.
Familiar with medium voltage and high voltage wiring and customized equipment.
Proficiency in standard laboratory equipment (oscilloscope, multimeters, power meters, thermocouples, etc.).
Experience with different sensor types and data acquisition systems.
Good laboratory practices (GLP) with operating and handling materials involving electromechanical and high temperature applications.
Familiar with HALT, reliability testing.
Good understanding of heat transfer principles and thermal systems testing methodologies.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail in testing and validation.

Bonus Points!

Experience with high-temperature materials testing (above 1000˚C).
Knowledge of medium voltage systems and components.

What We Offer

Comprehensive Medical Benefits
Dental & Vision Benefits
Life Insurance and ADD
Up to 13 paid holidays per year, in addition to a company week-long holiday in December
Flexible time off policy
Catered lunches on-site
401(k) plan with company match
Rondo HQ is close to Oakland airport - one block from the Bay - and has stunning Bay views!

This role necessitates being on-site at our Alameda HQ 5x per week. The estimated annual salary range for this role is $110,000 to $170,000 and it would be eligible for Rondo's excellent benefits listed above plus additional compensation in the form of equity. Please note that some pay bands may have wide ranges of compensation to accommodate candidates' diverse sets of skill levels and experience.