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Rondo Energy

Staff Mechanical Design Engineer

Become a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer at Rondo Energy in Alameda, California. Lead the design and development of thermal batteries, ensuring quality and efficiency. Enjoy a competitive salary of $180,000 to $220,000 and excellent benefits, including equity opportunities.
Rondo Energy
Rondo Energy
Alameda, California, United States   On-site   Full Time   USD 180k–220k yearly  UTC-07:00

Rondo Energy

Company Overview

Rondo Energy

Alameda, California, United States

2020

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


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

We’re looking for a creative Staff Mechanical Design Engineer to join our fast-paced team and bring innovative thermal battery solutions to life. If you thrive on solving complex engineering challenges and want your work to make a tangible impact on climate solutions, then join us!

As a Staff Mechanical Design Engineer, you’ll play a key role in shaping the design, development, and delivery of our cutting-edge thermal batteries.

What You’ll Do

  • Drive world-class design for cost-efficiency, manufacturability, and constructability.
  • Lead and participate in detailed engineering analyses and technical design reviews to ensure exceptional quality and performance.
  • Apply heat transfer and thermal system principles to optimize design for performance and efficiency.
  • Perform tolerance stack-ups and FMEAs to ensure manufacturability, functional fit, and design robustness.
  • Develop and review CAD models and drawings (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc.) to clearly communicate design intent.
  • Support and improve internal product development processes, promoting engineering rigor and documentation.
  • Review and approve designs, drawings, and specifications to maintain high-quality standards.
  • Collaborate with an inclusive and iterative design team, fostering open communication and shared problem-solving.
  • Visit suppliers and production sites to gain insight into manufacturing processes and integration needs.
  • Support reliability testing efforts and define testing protocols with internal or external partners.
  • Communicate design direction and status to leadership through clear, concise presentations.
  • Mentor junior engineers, sharing your expertise and supporting their growth.

What You'll Bring

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field), or equivalent practical experience.
  • 10+ years of engineering experience in a relevant industry or product development environment.
  • Strong proficiency in mechanical design tools—SolidWorks preferred.
  • Deep knowledge of core engineering disciplines, including:
    • Heat transfer and fluid dynamics
    • Solid mechanics and structural analysis
    • Manufacturing processes and methodologies
    • GD&T and tolerance stack analysis
  • Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, make sound tradeoffs, and drive design decisions.
  • A collaborative and curious mindset, with a passion for continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrated experience mentoring junior engineers and fostering team development.

Bonus Points!

  • Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
  • Experience with ceramic or refractory materials, or industrial machine design

This role is required to be on-site at our Alameda Headquarters. The estimated annual salary range for this role in the San Francisco Bay Area is $180,000 to $220,000 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.

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About the role

July 27, 2025

Full Time

Company

January 9, 2026

On-site

USD 180k–220k yearly

Rondo Energy

rondo.energy

  •  Alameda, California, United States

10+ years

UTC-07:00

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