Natel team members pose in the yard.

We’re looking for people who want to take action to protect the planet.

At Natel your work makes a difference

Join our effort to address climate change and biodiversity loss through sustainable water and energy solutions. We are looking for collaborative, optimistic, and mission-driven teammates to accelerate the clean energy transition with sustainable hydropower.

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Our Values

Own the outcome

As stewards of our company and of the planet, we are responsible for
creating solutions, products and services that do good in the world.

Excellence through innovation

Building the best solutions for people and the environment means taking
calculated risks that enable high impact.

Act with integrity

Our interactions with customers, stakeholders and each other are courteous, respectful, and honest. We assume positive intent and communicate with grace.

Operate as a team

We embrace individuality by amplifying each other’s strengths, while also recognizing that our greatest successes come from collaboration.

Practice gratitude

We acknowledge the research, knowledge, and effort that is foundational to our success and we strive to pay it forward for generations to come.

Perks & Benefits

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Inclusive, Mission-Driven Team Culture

We strive to create a community that celebrates the diverse backgrounds and unique talents of each team member, honors our shared commitment to improving the health of our planet, and makes space for different ways of thinking, feeling, and being. We are committed to fostering a culture that recognizes, includes, and respects all life.

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Workplace Centered Around Our People Being Their Best Selves

Whether you want to bring your pet to work or need a spot to take a shower after a morning bike ride, our Alameda office is designed to support the way you work best. We provide remote employees with the equipment they need to thrive in their home offices, and we host annual retreats to bring our whole internationally-distributed team together in person.

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Paid Time Off to Allow Full Lives Outside of Work

We think it’s incredibly important to take time off from work to pursue whatever it is that brings you joy away from the job, and we also understand that life takes unexpected turns. We offer 4 weeks paid vacation, as well as paid sick and family leave plans so you can take the time you need to care for yourself and your loved-ones.

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Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage

Health care should not be something that keeps you up at night. We offer flexible, trans-inclusive healthcare plans, as well as dental and vision coverage so that you and your family have access to the care you need to live vibrant, healthy lives.

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Employee Rewards Program

In addition to regular cost-of-living raises and opportunities for advancement, we regularly celebrate good work with performance-based bonuses.

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401K Matching

Let us help you save for retirement with a generous 401k match that helps make your personal contributions go further towards meeting your savings goals.

Open Positions

Engineer, Fish Safety

Opportunity

As a Engineer, Fish Safety at Natel Energy, you will play a key role in carrying forward the scientific work at the foundation of Natel’s FishSafe turbine design business. Our organization requires a detail-oriented individual who is excited to bring their analysis and technical communication skills to the development of sustainable technologies. Applicants must have a passion for sustainability and aquatic biodiversity and a love of organizing, analyzing, and communicating data. Applicants must bring creativity and initiative to work within a fast-paced environment which blends open-ended experimentation with regular contractual study and design deliverables.

Role

The Engineer, Fish Safety will plan, conduct, document, and share tests and analyses related to the environmental and hydraulic performance of Natel’s turbines. The Engineer, Fish Safety will regularly employ expertise in experimental design, statistical analysis, data processing and automation, and technical communication. In this position the Engineer, Fish Safety will collaborate with Natel’s turbine engineering and shop team members, as well as our business development team, clients, and 3rd party stakeholders. This is nominally a full time on site position at Natel Energy’s Alameda, California headquarters, although consideration will be given to excellent remote candidates.

Responsibilities

  • Closely collaborate with engineering leadership and team members to develop turbine performance and fish passage test plans, organize and lead experimental work, record and analyze data, and document results.

  • Determine and specify project-specific fish passage conditions for contract work and developing fish survival specifications for the design team.

  • Create, improve, and apply tools and systems for the organization and study of quantitative and qualitative test data and its application to Natel’s design processes.

  • Author materials ranging from presentation and report content to peer-reviewed journal articles; participate in calls, meetings, and conferences with clients, stakeholders, and other interested parties to share results.

  • Oversee and execute the regular upkeep and maintenance of Natel’s aquaculture system, tools and equipment used for fish passage testing, as well as company practices and processes for the ethical and humane treatment of fish.

  • Work with live fish, including handling, tagging, assessing injuries, and performing other laboratory or field-based procedures. Procure fish for testing, through collaboration with aquaculturists and other sources.

  • In support of the above responsibilities, occasionally travel for field testing, client meetings, or professional events.

Required Skills and Qualifications

  • Degree in engineering, science, or a related technical discipline. Experience in similar role(s) is a plus.

  • An organized and data-driven approach to learning, communicating, and problem solving.

  • Excellent technical communication skills (written and verbal). Experience in scientific research and technical writing, including the creation of visualizations and compelling figures for data communication. Publications are a plus but not required.

  • Laboratory or field biology research experience is a plus, but not required. An interest in regularly working hands-on with fish is essential!

  • Experience in experimental design, including a strong background in statistical analysis, power analysis, and study design methodology.

  • Scripting and data processing skills (Python or similar). 

  • Ability to work independently to move initiatives and projects forward.

Compensation & Benefits

The starting base salary range for this role is $90,000 - $125,000. This range may be modified in the future. Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, market location, business needs, other compensation components, and/or market demands.

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer equity to new employees and incentive compensation  based on team performance.

We are proud to offer great benefits like 4 weeks of paid vacation, 2 weeks of paid sick leave, 401k matching, and health insurance (along with dental, vision and life insurance). We want our team to live full lives outside of work.

Location

Nominally in person at Alameda, California, although consideration will be given to excellent remote candidates. This is a full time on-site position at our office and R&D facility in Alameda, CA; or if remote, with frequent extended travel to this location. Occasional travel may also be required for supplier site visits, field testing, or similar.

About half of our employees work in person at the Alameda, California location on a regular basis, and the others are fully remote. As a distributed team, we communicate regularly using Slack and video conferencing. We make an effort to gather the full team in real life occasionally, and we plan more frequent gatherings for lunch and happy hours with the local team.

Our hiring process

Natel Energy is committed to building, supporting, and growing a diverse team. We have a standardized interview process designed to reduce individual bias, and have structured pay scales to prevent inequity. We don’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Learn More and Apply
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Ian Gagnon,
Testimonials

"When I first got a job at Natel, I was excited to be working in a job in the renewable energy field, but I had reservations about working at a hydropower company, as I knew about the negative effects of traditional hydropower on aquatic ecosystems. As my time at Natel has progressed I have come to see that we are truly making a turbine that can safely pass fish while also generating renewable energy. I like that I am working on a technology that is helping to fight climate change and restore ecosystems."

Ian Gagnon,
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Tatiana Emrat Marzan,
Testimonials

"I'm always encouraged by my manager and peers to ask for projects that help build/hone my skillset. In addition, as Natel grows, I get to add new skills and grow into unique and challenging roles. I believe these experiences are valuable for my career growth."

Tatiana Emrat Marzan,
Senior Hydropower Technical Associate
Sterling Watson,
Testimonials

"Natel has provided me the flexibility and support to pursue my passion for environmental impact through both original research and fast-paced product development."

Sterling Watson,
Staff Mechanical Engineer
Kizzie Brown,
Testimonials

"Everyone at Natel, regardless of their functional areas, seniority level or role, is passionate about environmental sustainability. It's unique to see such a consistent level of commitment to the same goals among such a diverse group of team members."

Kizzie Brown,
Chief Financial Officer
Nick Arnold,
Testimonials

"The transparency, collaboration and inclusivity from the top down is phenomenal. It's truly like a family and I have felt welcomed with open arms from day one."

Nick Arnold,
Director, Project Office
Owen Hale,
Testimonials

"There doesn't appear to be a singular brute force/one-size-fits-all solution to our energy and climate crisis — it appears that it's going to take multiple smaller solutions working together.  Natel is one of these small (yet critical!) solutions and it's a good feeling at the end of the day to know that you've spent that day contributing to a mission that truly matters."

Owen Hale,
Senior Mechanical Engineer