Thermal-Fluids Engineer (Level II/Senior/Principal)
Found Energy
Company Overview:
Found Energy is a Boston-based, clean energy company producing a carbon-free fuel that is lower-cost and more energy-dense than fossil fuels. This will enable us to decarbonize the most challenging and carbon-intensive industries which are unaddressed by existing technology portfolios. Our technology uses metallic aluminum as the carbon-free fuel to produce hydrogen on-demand for less than $0.50 per kilogram and at five times the volumetric energy density of liquid hydrogen.
Originally spun out of MIT, we are now scaling and translating our hydrogen generation technology to both commercial and humanitarian applications, taking on both the causes and effects of climate change. In the long term, our technology positions aluminum and other materials as carbon-free energy carriers that address the often overlooked problem of renewable energy transportation. At Found Energy, we believe in securing a livable and equitable future for our planet, and we are looking for talented people who are motivated by this goal to join us. For more, visit https://www.found.energy.
Benefits Overview:
Health, dental, 20 days PTO, 11 holidays, unlimited sick days, 3 months parental leave, stock options, professional development budget, and more.
Job Overview:
Found Energy is looking for thermal-fluids engineers with at least 2+ years of experience in an industrial setting. Applicants should have prior experience designing, modeling, fabricating, and/or integrating fluidic and heat transfer subsystems, gas/fluid handling, or similar. Specific experience with hydrogen or process steam is a plus.
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.
Thermal engineers will be responsible for the design, fabrication, and testing of the various thermal components of our MVP, as well as supporting their integration and system-level validation. Beyond the MVP, thermal engineers will also engage in technology development in line with the company’s strategic technical roadmap.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Validate design modifications for thermal concerns using simulation and measurements from physical prototypes
- Specify and develop thermal requirements
- Design, build, and test thermal subsystems utilizing CAD and machine shop
- Ensure the seamless integration of thermal subsystems in the MVP and prototypes
- Work with software team to implement physics-based control algorithms
- Create listed BOM for mechanical as well as electrical systems.
- Create process flow diagrams, models, and simulations of the production systems
- Work with contractors to specify functional requirements for the various subsystems
- Develop safety systems and protocols for the test and production systems
- Develop and enhance in-house machining and simulation capabilities
- Opportunities to travel domestically and internationally
- Participate in building and growing company culture and values
Preferred Qualifications:
- Deeply motivated by the climate crisis and its downstream impacts
- 2+ years of work experience in mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or related fields
- Candidates with additional experience will be considered and role designation will be commensurate with experience
- Exceptional communication and documentation skills
- Strong background in thermodynamics and thermal management
- Experience in one or multiple of the following:
- Working knowledge of thermal/CFD simulation tools (ACSIM, UH3D, Fluent, MATLAB)
- Thermodynamics theory and modeling software (e.g. EES, REFPROP)
- Knowledge of thermal and HVAC systems including compressors, HVAC assembly, heat exchangers, fluid transfer components
- Mechanical design, CAD, and/or rapid prototyping practices
- Tolerance stacking of large assemblies and sub assemblies.
- Mechanical fabrication (subtractive/additive manufacturing, welding, etc.)
- Fluid and/or gas handling systems, including safety and compliance
- Fuel cells and battery systems
- Familiarity with Linux/Unix-based operating systems via command line
- Familiarity with one or more software languages (Python, C++, MATLAB, etc.)
- Experience with 5S or similar methodologies
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.