Heat to Power Process Validation Intern (Thermophotovoltaics/High-Temperature Systems)

Position Summary

Antora Energy is building ultra-low-cost thermal batteries to decarbonize industrial heat and power. Our thermophotovoltaic (TPV) technology converts stored heat directly into electricity, enabling dispatchable, carbon-free power at industrial scale. Scaling TPV from lab to manufacturing is a critical step toward commercialization—and this internship sits directly at that inflection point.

Enable Antora’s TPV manufacturing scale-up by independently measuring, analyzing, and improving process times across TPV cell and module fabrication. You will deliver data-driven insights that validate throughput assumptions, reduce manufacturing risk, and inform cost and reliability models.

Roles & Responsibilities

• As a TPV Process Validation Intern, you will work hands-on in Antora’s lab and cleanroom to generate the manufacturing data needed to support a 10 MWe/year TPV production target. Specifically, you will:

  • Validate TPV cell and module process throughput against a 10 MWe/year target using measured takt-time and yield data.
    
    
  • Independently execute hands-on takt-time studies in the lab and cleanroom, actively participating in fabrication and assembly steps.
    
    
  • Collect and analyze tool time, labor time, and queue/wait time across all major TPV cell and module manufacturing steps.
    
    
  • Map end-to-end TPV manufacturing processes and identify bottlenecks, constraints, and high-risk steps.
    
    
  • Develop data-backed improvement concepts to increase throughput and reduce manufacturing risk.
    
    
  • Deliver decision-ready datasets, documentation, and summaries supporting grant milestones and updates to Antora’s TPV manufacturing cost model.

Key Qualifications

• • Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related technical field relevant to semiconductor manufacturing, including III–V (arsenide/phosphide) materials or optoelectronics.
    
    
  • Ability to independently plan and execute hands-on work in a lab and/or cleanroom environment.
    
    
  • Experience with or strong interest in manufacturing process mapping, time studies, or takt-time analysis.
    
    
  • Demonstrated ability to collect, organize, and analyze quantitative data with attention to accuracy and repeatability.
    
    
  • Comfort working directly with tools, equipment, and fabrication or assembly processes.
    
    
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a structured approach to identifying bottlenecks and process risks.
    
    
  • Ability to clearly document work and communicate technical findings through datasets, written summaries, and presentations.
    
    
  Willingness to follow cleanroom and lab safety protocols and participate in hands-on fabrication activities.

Additional Qualifications Desired

• • Prior experience in a manufacturing, process engineering, operations, or hardware R&D environment.
    
    
  • Exposure to cleanroom fabrication, semiconductor processing, or precision assembly.
    
    
  • Familiarity with continuous improvement methods (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, TOC).
    
    
  • Experience separating tool time, labor time, and queue time in real manufacturing workflows.
    
    
  • Comfort working with cost models, throughput models, or yield assumptions.
    
    
  • Proficiency with Excel, Python, JMP, or similar tools for data analysis and visualization.
    
    
  Interest in energy, power electronics, thermal systems, or climate-tech hardware.

Work Location:  Onsite - Sunnyvale, CA

Hourly Range:  $35 USD - $45 USD

Please note that the hourly range listed for this position reflects Antora Energy's estimated pay rate. The actual rate offered will be determined based on a candidate's experience, year in school, and degree, as they relate to the position's requirements.

Additionally, this position does not offer visa sponsorship. Only candidates with current work authorization (e.g., F-1 visa with OPT/CPT authorization) will be considered.

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