Location: Long Island City, NY / traveling
Position Type: Full Time
Background
We are looking for a resourceful, "jack-of-all-trades" builder to join our research team as a Research Infrastructure Specialist. This isn't a traditional general contracting role; you will be the physical hands behind our R&D, responsible for building out our primary LIC facility and traveling to our remote sites to bring new farms online.
You’ll work from detailed architectural plans with real-time support from our engineering team. Tasks could include structural framing, carpentry, basic mechanics, light fabrication, and “inside the walls” plumbing / HVAC / electrical that would fall under code-exempt work. While you won't need to be a software expert, you should be comfortable with the physical "nervous system" of a modern farm—installing cameras, running networking cables, and mounting IoT sensors. For specialized tasks like licensed electrical and plumbing, you will act as our on-site lead, coordinating with local subcontractors to ensure our engineering specs are met with precision.
About the Role
We are looking for a resourceful, "jack-of-all-trades" builder to join our research team as a Research Infrastructure Specialist. This isn't a traditional general contracting role; you will be the physical hands behind our R&D, responsible for building out our primary LIC facility and traveling to our remote sites to bring new farms online.
You’ll work from detailed architectural plans with real-time support from our engineering team. Tasks could include structural framing, carpentry, basic mechanics, light fabrication, and “inside the walls” plumbing / HVAC / electrical that would fall under code-exempt work. While you won't need to be a software expert, you should be comfortable with the physical "nervous system" of a modern farm—installing cameras, running networking cables, and mounting IoT sensors. For specialized tasks like licensed electrical and plumbing, you will act as our on-site lead, coordinating with local subcontractors to ensure our engineering specs are met with precision.
Responsibilites
- Primary Build-Out: Lead the physical construction and refinement of our Long Island City research hub (framing, drywall, ductwork, light electrical and general facility improvements).
- Strategic Deployment: Travel to remote farm facilities for 1–3 week stints to execute initial builds or major infrastructure updates.
- Technical Installation: Handle the physical installation of farm tech, including mounting PoE cameras, running Cat6/networking equipment, and setting up environmental sensor housing.
- Sub-Contractor Liaison: Work alongside local licensed plumbers and electricians at remote sites, ensuring their work aligns with our specific farm designs and research requirements.
- Rapid Prototyping Support: Collaborate with the research team to build or modify custom racks, irrigation supports, and experimental housings as our technology evolves.
Who You Are
- A Versatile Builder: You have a solid foundation in general contracting (drywall, carpentry, basic mechanical assembly, light plumbing & electrical) and take pride in "clean" work.
- Resourceful & Trustworthy: You are often the "boots on the ground" in new locations. You can solve problems on the fly and are comfortable working independently while maintaining high standards.
- Detail-Oriented: You can read a set of plans or follow a CAD drawing and execute it to the inch.
- Tech-Adjacent: You’re comfortable with basic low-voltage wiring, physical installation of data cabling, test equipment, and mounting hardware for tech systems.
- Curiosity and problem-solving mindset—able to think critically and explore creative solutions.
- Ready for the Road: You’re excited about traveling to different sites for a couple of weeks at a time to see a project through from start to finish.
Benefits
- This is a unique opportunity to work on rewarding and creative projects in a variety of locations, with great people, and make a great impact.
- Interesting Work: Every project is a new experiment. You’ll be building the infrastructure that feeds people.
- Stability & Growth: This is a stable, W2 position with full benefits in a growing company.
- Culture: We have an informal, hardworking environment where individual ownership is valued. You’ll be a core part of a team that is defining the "Grand Frontier" of farming.
- The Perks: Full health coverage and the unique benefit of working on a farm—which often includes a home-made meal with the team and endless fresh produce.
- License & Certification Support: Depending on the project, there may be opportunities for the company to support you in acquiring additional training & certification in the states where we operate.
Compensation
benefits: full health, dental and vision insurance
salary: 65k-85k / year
