Electrochemical Engineer Co-op

Company Overview: Found Energy is building clean energy delivery platforms capable of replacing fossil fuels for heavy industries ranging from aluminum production (4% of global CO2 emissions) to fertilizer production (2% of global CO2 emissions) to maritime shipping (3% of global CO2 emissions). Building off technology developed at MIT that enables metallic aluminum to split water, our energy delivery systems safely generate hydrogen and industrial heat on-site at >5x the volumetric energy density of liquid hydrogen and >3x that of methanol and ammonia. By integrating storage, transport, and generation into a single package, our technology solves some of the biggest pain points in renewable energy transportation and storage.

At Found Energy, we believe in securing a livable and equitable future for our planet, and we are looking for partners who are motivated by this goal to join us. For more information, visit https://found.energy.

Job Overview:

Found Energy has demonstrated its core hydrogen generation technologies at the kW-scale, including a system capable of powering a full-sized electric vehicle. We are now working to scale up the reactor system for both our minimum viable product (MVP) and commercial pilot demonstrations. The completion of the MVP and commercial pilots requires designing and testing numerous sub-processes and sub-systems at the targeted industrial scale, as well as at various intermediate scales along the way.

Co-ops in this role will be responsible for optimizing electrochemical subsystems by testing and downselecting cell components, cell designs, electrolyte formulations, etc. They will translate those results into prototypes and production units, while measuring and tracking performance metrics, and solving key technical issues as they arise.

Good chemical hygiene and safety practices are paramount. You will be expected to participate in and improve upon our chemical hygiene and safety protocols.

Co-op Duration: 6-12 months

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Design, build, and test electrochemical reactor prototypes in support of reactor scale-up and pilot projects
• Analyze batch and time-series reactor data to optimize reactor design and operating conditions for reaction efficiency and yield.
• Downselect, modify and integrate materials and coatings for electrodes, electrolytes, separators and other components to improve device performance.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and other documentation for reactor assembly and testing
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including materials scientists, chemical engineers, and mechanical engineers to integrate product subsystems
• Participate in and lead design reviews of electrochemical process subsystems
• Develop safety systems and protocols for the prototype and production systems
• Translate R&D work into prototype functional requirements and specifications
• Translate prototype test results into design requirements

Qualifications:

• Deeply motivated by the climate crisis and its downstream impacts
• Pursuing education in chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, or related fields
• Track record of strong academic and/or project-based performance
• Exceptional communication and documentation skills
• Experience in one or multiple of the following:

• Electrochemical testing techniques including cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), rotating disk electrode (RDE), polarization curves, Tafel analysis, etc.
• Familiarity with assembly and operation of electrochemical devices such as gaseous and liquid flow systems (fuel cells, flow batteries, etc.), plating baths, pH probes, oxidation-reduction potential sensors, etc.
• Hand on experience in a wet-lab including chemical handling and safety, solution preparation, and sample analysis.
• Hydrogen handling and safety equipment
• Sensor integration and data acquisition

Research suggests that qualified people from historically marginalized groups may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who might not meet the exact requirements, but who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Found Energy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.