Lead R&D Technician

As the Lead R&D Engineering Technician at Charge Robotics, you'll lead our technician team (~8) in building, testing, and deploying our next generation of solar installation robots. You'll be the connective tissue between the engineering teams and the technicians on the floor - owning build execution while developing the people who make it happen.

What you'll be working on

• Leading and people-managing a team of ~8 technicians, including approving hours/PTO, prioritizing and assigning work across projects, and holding regular 1:1s and performance feedback
• Owning build execution: ensuring builds are complete, on schedule, and meet quality standards, including final inspection and sign-off on completed systems
• Upskilling the team through hands-on coaching, onboarding new technicians, and building out their technical and process capabilities
• Supporting the mechanical + software engineering teams in assembly, testing, and support of new robotic systems, and translating engineering intent into clear build instructions
• Developing and maintaining engineering documentation, including assembly instructions and SOPs
• Maintaining and organizing the workshop, and driving continuous-improvement initiatives (e.g., 5S, tooling/fixture planning, build-process efficiency)
• Owning and reinforcing the team's culture of safety, including following and enforcing safety procedures

You

• Have at least 5 years of relevant experience in mechanical and/or electrical assembly, including prior experience leading or mentoring technicians
• Have strong mechanical, electrical, equipment, and safety intuition refined through personal or professional projects
• Are comfortable interpreting schematics/CAD drawings and assembling complex electromechanical systems independently
• Have a positive attitude, enjoy working in-person, and are excited about managing and motivating a small team
• Will follow safety procedures and reinforce a strong and healthy culture of safety
• Are available to work 5 days/week from our San Leandro, CA headquarters

It'd also be nice if you

• Have experience working with industrial robot arms, end effectors, and industrial automation systems
• Are excited to see our robots deployed on solar construction sites, and to play a direct role in fighting climate change!