About Us: SunDrive is an Australian solar technology company turning world-leading science into real-world impact. Founded in a Sydney garage in 2015, when our co-founder Vince Allen paused his PhD to pursue a bold idea, we set out to make solar more powerful, affordable, and sustainable. Today, that same drive fuels a company operating at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing and materials science. Our breakthrough solar cell technology replaces silver with industry-first direct copper plating: swapping one of the most expensive materials in solar for something abundant, cost-effective, and sustainable. We set a world record for solar cell efficiency in 2021 and built the world’s first fully automated copper-plating line at our Kurnell facility, proving scalability. Backed by leading VCs and government agencies and punching above our weight in partnering with global PV partners, we’re now at the forefront of a generational shift in clean-energy manufacturing and driving industrial-scale deployment. If you want to work somewhere ambitious, collaborative, and deeply technical, where science meets impact, we’d love to hear from you. About the Role: We are a deep-tech innovator supported by a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers who conduct laboratory testing and operate pilot-scale equipment for small-scale trials. This role is responsible for maintaining facility equipment and services, while ensuring a consistently safe, clean, and well-organised working environment. Our experimental work relies on a range of specialised tools and utility services, including power, compressed dry air (CDA), chemicals, and data infrastructure. You will work closely with a dynamic technical team to support installations, upgrades, and continuous improvements across the facility. Experience or understanding of how a facility with diverse production equipment, fabrication areas, and warehouse operations functions will place you in a strong position to succeed in this broad and exciting role. We are looking for a hands-on who Plant and Equipment Maintenance Lead who is comfortable working directly with machinery, prototype equipment, and building services, and who takes ownership of keeping a complex technical facility safe, compliant, and operational. You will carry out a wide range of practical, hands-on tasks, from basic repairs and small rig builds through to clean room maintenance, including exhaust and air-conditioning systems. The role includes forklift operation, minor plumbing and electrical work, managing goods storage, and supporting the installation, modification, and relocation of facility equipment. You will also coordinate with external contractors, support safe chemical disposal, and provide hands-on support across the site to keep operations running efficiently. This role is well suited to someone who enjoys being on the tools, actively solving problems, and taking end-to-end ownership of how equipment, systems, and spaces are maintained and safely operated, rather than managing from a distance. You will focus on: Proactively identifying, fixing, and preventing facility, equipment, and machinery issues across workshops, labs, clean rooms, and warehouse spaces. Carrying out hands-on maintenance and minor repairs, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, air, exhaust, and flued systems, escalating to specialists when required. Supporting the safe operation of prototype and pilot-scale equipment, including maintaining, fixing, and troubleshooting smaller pieces of machinery and rigs. Developing, maintaining, and applying safe operating procedures (SOPs), risk assessments, and permits, ensuring equipment is appropriate and safe to use. Identifying gaps in safety controls, guarding, PPE, and working with stakeholders to close those gaps. Maintaining clean room infrastructure, including ventilation, exhaust, and air-conditioning systems. Leading day-to-day facility operations, supervising one technical team member and coordinating external contractors for specialised work. Managing goods, spare parts, tools, and storage areas to support efficient maintenance and operations. Providing practical support during equipment installation, modification, and commissioning, particularly from a safety and maintainability perspective. We would love you to have: Strong hands-on maintenance experience in machinery, facilities, manufacturing or industrial environments. Electrical experience, with the ability to safely perform basic electrical work; a licensed electrician is highly regarded but not essential. Practical experience with mechanical systems, pumps, plumbing, compressed air, exhaust systems, and prototype or custom-built equipment. Confidence working around complex or unfamiliar machinery, with a practical problem-solving mindset and willingness to get hands-on. Experience creating, reviewing, or working with SOPs, risk assessments, and safety controls in operational environments. A strong sense of ownership and accountability for safe operations, maintenance standards, and equipment condition. Clear communication skills and the ability to describe risks, controls, and maintenance requirements. Bonus points for experience in warehouse or stores management, forklift operation (or willingness to obtain a license), and lab or cleanroom environments. SunDrive’s Benefits Meaningful Work & Ownership - Access SunDrive’s Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) - real ownership in SunDrive’s growth (permanent employees only). - Work on breakthrough solar technology with global impact. - Be part of a tight, high-performing team where your ideas matter. Learning & Growth - Company-wide L&D Fund for courses, coaching, and technical development. - Dedicated weekly learning time. - Up to 2 days of paid L&D leave per year. Leave & Flexibility - 4 weeks annual leave unlimited rollover. - 10 days paid Personal/Carer’s Leave unlimited rollover. - Parental Leave: 13 weeks primary / 6 weeks secondary caregiver leave. Paid antenatal leave and support for early arrivals, surrogacy, and return-to-work planning. - 2 days paid Compassionate Leave per occasion. Health & Wellbeing - Free, confidential EAP support for employees and immediate family. Financial & Everyday Perks - EV-only novated leasing (FBT-compliant). - Weekly transport (tolls and public transport) allowance up to $45. Weekly catered lunch snacks and drinks onsite. How We Work We’re a team of engineers, scientists, operators, and builders who thrive where deep research meets real-world production. With teams in Australia and China, we collaborate across disciplines and borders to design, build, test, and optimise the technologies behind our breakthrough solar cells. At our Sydney site, R&D, pilot manufacturing, and process engineering sit under one roof, creating a fast, iterative loop between innovation and implementation. Our culture is open, accountable, and grounded in first principles. We work without ego, raise challenges early, and solve them together. We act like owners—pragmatic, resourceful, and committed to delivering work that’s precise and built to last. We’re ambitious in what we take on and united by a shared purpose: to turn breakthrough ideas into scalable technologies that power a better future. Additional Information SunDrive Solar Pty Ltd is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need accommodation at any point during the interview process. This role requires full working rights in Australia. Unfortunately, SunDrive is not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. LI-Onsite
