Principal Engineering Technician

Form Energy, Inc is seeking a Principal Engineering Technician in Berkeley, CA to lead the Tech Operations team. The role focuses on driving quality and execution in battery technology prototyping and builds. Responsibilities include overseeing assembly of control cabinets, fabricating high-power connections, and ensuring high standards in prototype quality. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative energy storage solutions in a rapidly growing company.
Are you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form!





In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a “Best Invention”, MIT Technology Review as a “Top Climate Tech Company To Watch”, and Fast Company as “One of the Next Big Things In Tech”. We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron-air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.





Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing - might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.





Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you’ve come to the right place.





Role Description
Form Energy is hiring a Principal Engineering Technician to serve as the operational lead Tech Operations team. This role is designed for a veteran technician who can drive quality, process and execution excellence into a team of technicians supporting the prototyping and build efforts for our Product Engineering organization.





You will be the "Gold Standard" for all electrical builds, responsible for transforming complex schematics into functional products. From wiring industrial control cabinets to fabricating custom harnesses for BMS validation, you will set the tone for craftsmanship, safety, and speed. When the mission shifts, you are equally comfortable in the machine shop, jumping in to assist with prototyping and mechanical assembly builds.





This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the scaling of our battery technology and be part of the growth of a fast-moving company with breakthrough technology and an incredible mission!





What you'll do:


Lead the assembly of control cabinets (UL 508A), ensuring precision wiring of PLCs, safety interlocks, and communication gateways.



Execute and oversee the fabrication of high-power DC busbars and AC interconnects, maintaining strict standards for torque, insulation, and clearance.



Architect and build complex, high-reliability harnesses for test assets and prototype product builds; perform precision PCBA rework and micro-soldering for prototype hardware.



Define and enforce lab-wide standards for wire routing, labeling, and crimping quality, ensuring all prototypes are "field-ready" in their build quality.



Install and calibrate sensors (thermocouples, strain gauges, pressure transducers) across test assets to ensure high-fidelity data collection.



Manage the commissioning of new equipment, including verifying basic functionality, safety compliance, and initial system bring-up.



Jump into the shop to modify enclosures, fabricate custom mounting brackets, or create specialized test fixtures using manual mills, lathes, and welding equipment.



Train junior technicians and engineers in the "art of the build," from proper crimping techniques to reading complex P&IDs and schematics.






What you'll bring:


7+ years of hands-on experience in a startup environment, leading teams and processes.



Mastery of industrial electrical assembly, including 480VAC/1000VDC+ systems, PLC integration, and signal-level communication (CAN, Modbus).



Highly proficient in mechanical fabrication, including metalwork, thermal system plumbing, and the use of machine shop equipment.



Familiarity with IPC-A-610/WHMA-A-620; NFPA 70E training is a significant plus.



Ability to troubleshoot complex electrical/mechanical integration issues on the fly without losing momentum.





#LI-Onsite


#LI-AC1





Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.





When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees - and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.





To build America’s energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.







If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact accommodations@formenergy.com. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.

Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.