Reliability Engineering Technician
Gridware
Company Overview
What They Do
Gridware is a pioneering startup focused on enhancing grid resilience through innovative technology. Their core offering, Active Grid Response (AGR), utilizes pole-mounted Gridscope sensors that monitor various conditions on distribution power lines in real-time. These sensors are powered by solar energy and communicate through device-to-device, cellular, and satellite networks, ensuring continuous operation regardless of grid voltage (source: gridware.io). The technology is designed to detect a range of issues, including vegetation contact, downed lines, and equipment failures, enabling utilities to perform predictive maintenance and dynamic de-energization to prevent wildfires and outages (source: cbsnews.com). Target markets include U.S. electric utilities, particularly in wildfire-prone areas like California and the Midwest, with plans for international expansion in the future (source: promptloop.com). Their products integrate seamlessly with utility operations management systems, covering over 90 million field hours and serving 40% of U.S. customers through partnerships (source: gridware.io).
Projects & Track Record
Gridware has successfully deployed approximately 13,000 sensors across eight states, particularly in California's high-risk wildfire areas, covering around 1,000 miles of power lines. Their technology has been credited with preventing wildfires, as evidenced by reports of alerts that stopped smoldering vegetation from igniting (source: cbsnews.com). Notable integrations include partnerships with PG&E for high impedance fault detection and a pilot project with Puget Sound Energy aimed at improving storm and wildfire repair prioritization. In one instance, a Northern California circuit experienced a 70% reduction in outage patrol times, while a Midwest utility saved 400,000 outage minutes across four circuits (source: gridware.io). Ongoing projects include a 2024 pilot with NorthWestern Energy in Montana City, focusing on real-time asset monitoring to mitigate wildfire risks (source: northwesternenergy.com).
Recent Developments
In the past two years, Gridware has raised significant funding to support its growth and expansion efforts. In 2024, they announced a $26.4 million Series A funding round led by Sequoia Capital, following a $10.5 million seed extension in 2023 co-led by Lowercarbon Capital and Fifty Years (source: gridware.io). This funding is aimed at enhancing their U.S. operations and preparing for international deployments. Additionally, Gridware has received recognition for its innovative technology, including being named one of Time magazine's Best Inventions in 2022 for their Gridscope sensors and having founders featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2023 (source: engineering.berkeley.edu). The company continues to deepen its partnerships with utilities, including a pilot program with NorthWestern Energy set for late 2024 (source: northwesternenergy.com).
Working There
Gridware offers a variety of engineering-focused roles, including positions in software engineering, electrical design engineering, data engineering, and technical recruiting. The company is built by linemen and engineers, reflecting a culture that emphasizes collaboration with field workers and a mission-driven approach to wildfire prevention (source: climatepeople.com). Hiring is concentrated at their Bay Area headquarters, where they are rapidly expanding their team to support sensor production and deployment efforts. The culture at Gridware is described as rigorous and mission-oriented, with a strong focus on achieving real-world results, such as the significant field hours logged by their technology (source: gridware.io). While specific employee benefits are not detailed in the sources, the venture-backed nature of the company suggests competitive startup perks may be available (source: cbsnews.com).
Last updated on Feb 23, 2026 | Report an issue
Gridware is hiring a Reliability Test Technician to support our growing reliability team. In this role, you will work closely with reliability engineers to build test fixtures, execute tests, document results, and help diagnose product failures.
You'll be responsible for setting up and running multiple tests in parallel, keeping work organized, and ensuring reliable, consistent execution. This is a hands-on role requiring both electronics experience (soldering, wiring, PCBA testing) and mechanical fabrication using common shop tools and 3D printers.
This role will be 100% onsite with occasional domestic travel (3-6 times per year) to support testing at partner and field locations.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with reliability engineers to develop and execute test plans
- Design and build electrical and mechanical test fixtures (soldering, wiring, shop tools, 3D printing)
- Set up, monitor, and maintain multiple concurrent reliability tests
- Collect, organize, and document test data, observations, and results
- Diagnose product failures and support root cause investigations
- Maintain a clean, organized, and well-documented lab environment
- Track test progress and proactively communicate issues, anomalies, and results
Required Skills
- Hands-on experience with reliability test equipment (e.g., environmental, thermal, and drop test chambers)
- Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent hands-on experience in mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, or a related field
- 4+ years of experience in a reliability lab, test environment, or similar technical role
- Ability to work independently, stay organized, and manage multiple concurrent tests
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across engineering and cross-functional teams
- Practical, "get it done" mindset with strong ownership and follow-through
Bonus Skills
- Experience analyzing test data (e.g., Excel, JMP)
- Scripting for test automation or data analysis
- Experience coordinating with external labs or testing partners
- Experience working with CMs/ODMs and leveraging their test capabilities
- Familiarity with reliability test standards and lab equipment vendors
$100,000 - $130,000 a year
This describes the ideal candidate; many of us have picked up this expertise along the way. Even if you meet only part of this list, we encourage you to apply!
Benefits
Health, Dental & Vision (Gold and Platinum with some providers plans fully covered)
Paid parental leave
Alternating day off (every other Monday)
"Off the Grid", a two week per year paid break for all employees.
Commuter allowance
Company-paid training
Apply now
Job expired?Please let Gridware know you found this job on Rejobs. This will help us grow and get more people to work on renewable energy!
Apply now
Job expired?Please let Gridware know you found this job on Rejobs. This will help us grow and get more people to work on renewable energy!
Discover how you’re connected
View connectionsSee your contacts at Gridware on LinkedIn to leverage your network in applying for this position.
Get job alerts
Get alerts for Power Electronics jobs in San Francisco, California, United States
Join Talent Pool
Let top clean energy employers find you
About the role
March 26, 2026
Full time
Company
- San Francisco, California, United States
4+ years in a reliability lab or similar technical role
UTC-08:00
