_{21st July, 2026}

Senior Technician 
Plasma Team - Wellington, New Zealand 
 
Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diversity strengthens our team and are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. 
 
Who We Are 
OpenStar Technologies is on a mission to repeat the feats of Māui and capture the power of the Sun. By mastering fusion - the process that powers the stars - we can generate safe, clean, carbon-free, base-load electricity in a way that is economically scalable to the challenge of mitigating climate disaster and giving birth to the next industrial revolution. Our team is currently made up of talented engineers and physicists, based in Wellington, New Zealand. 
At OpenStar Technologies, our culture is founded on a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. We empower every member of our team with meaningful responsibility, fostering an environment where creativity and innovation thrive in pursuit of our collective mission. 
 
About the Role 
Join our growing team and support cutting-edge scientific and engineering work. Working closely with our experimental plasma physicists, you'll assist in maintaining and improving our labs, workshops, and experimental setups. You'll take on a wide range of tasks, from fabrication to assisting with plasma diagnostics, cryogenics and vacuum systems, helping keep our plasma science team moving efficiently. 
 
This is an ideal role for someone practical, curious, and eager to learn in a fast-paced R&D environment. A good deal of emphasis will be placed on previous hands-on experience, whether this be previous work in a trade, or demonstrable personal projects. 
 
Why This Role Matters 
Our plasma experiments depend on labs, and test equipment that are ready to go and safe to use. Without someone dedicated to keeping that infrastructure running - our physicists and engineers lose time to preventable setbacks. The Senior Technician keeps the plasma team moving, turning experimental requirements into working hardware and a well-run workshop. 
 
Key Responsibilities 
Lab & Experiment Support 

• Support the setup and maintenance of lab and test equipment. 
• Assist with hands-on fitting, fabrication, cabling and repairs. 
• Work with a range of materials and tools to achieve experimental goals. 

Experimental Systems 

• Assist with the maintenance and operation of plasma diagnostics supporting plasma experiments in a high vacuum environment.  
• Build, install, and maintain vacuum systems and associated hardware.  
• Help design, build, install, and troubleshoot experimental setups alongside plasma physicists and engineers. 
• Produce neat, well-organised installations - careful cabling and tidy assembly are critical to reliable, long-term operation. 
• Flag equipment issues early and support fixes to keep experiments on schedule. 
• Develop new processes and procedures for plasma systems installation and maintenance.  

Safety & Collaboration 

• Help implement safe working practices across the site. 
• Undertake work at height and in confined spaces in accordance with site safety procedures (training provided). 
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and technicians across disciplines. 
• Have a process and procedural mindset. 

 
Key Relationships 

• Experimental plasma physicists - for day-to-day setup, build, and troubleshooting support. 
• Engineers and technicians across other sub-teams (magnet, electronics, cryogenics, controls) - for shared workshop and lab needs. 
• Manufacturing team 
• Chief Science Officer  

 
What We're Looking For 
Essential 

• Extensive experience with most hand tools and workshop equipment. 
• Experience with metalwork. 
• Willingness to learn and follow technical procedures. 
• Practical problem-solving and attention to detail. 
• Awareness of health and safety for yourself and others. 
• High aptitude for mechanical systems 

Nice-to-Have 

• Basic soldering experience. 
• Basic understanding of electrical systems. 
• Experience crafting or working with diverse materials. 
• A scientific mindset or curiosity about how things work. 
• CAD experience 
• Lathe and Mill experience. 
• High-vacuum (HV) and ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) system experience (can be learned). 
• Work at heights experience or certification (training can be provided). 
• Confined-space entry experience or certification (training can be provided).  
• Experience operating a forklift (training can be provided) 
• Experience operating a mobile elevated work platform (training can be provided). 
• Experience with lifting equipment (training can be provided). 

 
Join Us 
This opportunity boils down to the chance to work on something truly meaningful. The scariest thing about the climate crisis today is that, for all of our bluster and protest, there are very few of us who actually have a chance to do meaningful work solving this problem. Carbon-free energy is an absolute necessity if we want to be able to recognise the world that our children and grandchildren inherit. Please join us in making this a reality. 

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