About Periodic Labs

The most important scientific discoveries of our time won't happen in a traditional lab. We're an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what's scientifically possible.

About the Role

Periodic Labs is building an autonomous laboratory for high-throughput materials discovery — combining advanced synthesis, characterization, automation, robotics, and AI to accelerate the development of next-generation materials. We're looking for a highly capable, hands-on Laboratory Operations & Maintenance Technician to help build, maintain, and scale the physical infrastructure that enables our scientific and engineering teams to move quickly.

This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys solving practical problems, working with tools, building systems, troubleshooting equipment, and taking ownership of laboratory operations. You'll work across equipment maintenance, gas and vacuum systems, utilities, instrumentation, automation support, machine shop operations, inventory management, and laboratory buildout projects.

What You'll Do

Equipment Maintenance & Reliability

Execute preventative maintenance programs for laboratory equipment using MaintainX CMMS; develop and improve maintenance procedures, inspection checklists, and work order templates
Perform routine inspections, cleaning, calibration checks, and equipment upkeep across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, gas, vacuum, and fluid handling systems
Troubleshoot and repair equipment; identify recurring failure modes and implement corrective actions to improve uptime
Coordinate service visits and maintenance activities with equipment vendors
Service vacuum pumps, cooling water systems, chillers, and associated infrastructure; verify equipment meets OEM specifications after maintenance or repairs

Asset Management & Documentation

Maintain an accurate asset registry within MaintainX, including equipment records (manuals, schematics, service histories, serial numbers, manufacturer contacts)
Label equipment with asset numbers and QR codes; update equipment layouts, utility matrices, and infrastructure documentation
Track maintenance history and equipment performance metrics

Utilities & Infrastructure

Maintain laboratory utility systems including compressed gases, vacuum systems, process cooling water, exhaust systems, gas detection, and general lab infrastructure
Build and modify gas and fluid handling systems from P&IDs and engineering drawings; assemble and install tubing, regulators, valves, gauges, sensors, and associated hardware
Support utility capacity planning and identify infrastructure constraints

Equipment Installation & Commissioning

Support installation and startup of new laboratory equipment; coordinate utility hookups including power, water, gas, vacuum, and networking
Procure and install supporting infrastructure including tubing, fittings, pumps, sensors, regulators, and instrumentation
Perform installation verification and commissioning activities; document as-built configurations and equipment changes

Automation & Controls Support

Support Controls and Automation Engineers with equipment integration projects
Install and maintain thermocouples, RTDs, pressure transducers, flow meters, solenoid valves, gas sensors, and safety interlocks
Route, terminate, and label instrumentation and communication wiring; assist with sensor replacement, control panel modifications, and field troubleshooting

Machine Shop & Fabrication

Fabricate fixtures, brackets, guards, adapters, and experimental hardware using drill press, band saw, chop saw, belt sander, bench grinder, manual mill, and manual lathe
Modify commercial components and support custom equipment builds; maintain machine shop organization and tooling

Inventory & Laboratory Operations

Maintain inventories of spare parts, maintenance consumables, PPE, and laboratory supplies; identify critical spare parts and establish appropriate stock levels
Receive and organize incoming equipment, chemicals, gases, and supplies; register chemicals and gas cylinders within laboratory inventory systems
Coordinate gas cylinder replacement and deliveries; support hazardous waste staging and disposal activities
Assist with laboratory organization, equipment moves, and expansion projects

Safety & Compliance

Perform all work in accordance with laboratory safety procedures and LOTO requirements; participate in routine safety inspections and identify unsafe conditions
Support safe installation and modification of laboratory equipment and infrastructure
Maintain clean, organized, and professional workspaces; use all appropriate PPE (lab coats, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators)

You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have

5+ years of experience in laboratory operations, manufacturing, semiconductor, chemical processing, pilot plant, industrial maintenance, or a related environment
The ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, electrical wiring diagrams, and equipment manuals
Hands-on experience with hand tools, power tools, and mechanical assembly, with strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
An associate degree, technical certification, military technical training, trade apprenticeship, or equivalent hands-on experience
Comfort operating in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment with shifting priorities

Especially Strong Candidates May Also Have

Swagelok tubing, fitting, and tube bending experience; gas manifold assembly from P&IDs
Vacuum systems and/or compressed gas systems experience
Semiconductor equipment maintenance experience
Electrical troubleshooting down to PCB/component level using multimeters
MaintainX or other CMMS experience
Forklift or material handling equipment certification
Chemical handling or laboratory operations experience
Process piping and instrumentation experience

Mechanics

Minimum education: Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and training or experience

Location: Our lab is located in Menlo Park and we prefer folks to be located in Menlo Park or San Francisco but can be flexible based on role

Compensation: The annual compensation range for this role is approximately $100,000

Visa sponsorship: Yes, we sponsor visas and will do everything we can to assist in this process with our legal support.

We're building a team of the world's best — the scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers who don't just follow the frontier, they define it. If you're driven to bring AI to life in the physical world and make discoveries that have never been made before, you belong here.