R&D Engineer Intern/Co-op (6 months)
Lydian
Cambridge, MA, USA
Posted on Sep 20, 2024
Lydian overview
Lydian is a technology development company focused on producing the cheapest carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals on the planet. Our process replaces oil and gas refining with fully electrified, modular, and highly efficient reactor systems that enable the upgrading of captured CO2 into a range of carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals. Our initial focus is on the production of the cheapest and most scalable CO2-derived aviation fuel.
Lydian is backed by top climate investors including Congruent Ventures, Galvanize Climate Solutions, Union Square Ventures, Voyager Ventures, Grok Ventures, and Overlap Holdings. We are building a motivated, diverse, and collaborative team that is passionate about addressing the growing climate crisis and is committed to excellence in their work. In particular, we look for tenacious people that are energized by solving the hardest, highest impact problems that come their way.
Position overview
Lydian is looking for an R&D Engineer Intern/Co-op who is excited about researching, designing, formulating/assembling, testing, and characterizing high temperature materials and hardware for our sustainable fuel reactor systems. You will interface with engineers and scientists across various domains in order to inform your experimental design and research priorities.
The ideal candidate is excited to solve challenging technical problems related to materials, chemical reactors, and mechanical systems and doesn’t shy away from learning about new technical concepts. You have prior chem lab, prototyping, or machining experience and can own projects from start to finish.
This position is based in Cambridge, MA and has a minimum commitment of 6-months.
Responsibilities
- Work with the R&D team to develop high temperature materials and processes that are critical to the function of Lydian’s electrified reactors
- Own and execute advanced R&D projects, with guidance from Lydian engineers, pursuing new paths for materials development
- Set up and execute experiments on our bench-scale reactor systems and high temperature furnaces, including data analysis and identification of future research opportunities
- Use advanced characterization techniques (XRD, SEM, electrical property measurements, oxidation/corrosion analysis) to develop understanding of materials and degradation mechanisms
- Build key reactor components using repeatable, scalable manufacturing techniques. Investigate opportunities to improve existing processes
- Work with and push on internal team members and external vendors to deliver a finished product and meet project deadlines
Qualifications
- B.S. in Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar
- Hands-on, proactive mentality when it comes to lab work and pushing ideas forward
- Experience or interest in high temperature materials like refractory alloys, advanced ceramics, and superalloys
- Prior chem lab experience and experimental planning skills, including methodical and efficient DOEs to achieve project goals
- Experience documenting experimental procedures, collecting data, and performing statistical analyses of datasets
- Desire to work in a fast-paced environment and solve interesting technical problems
- Alignment with our mission, vision, and virtues
Even if you don't fit the exact items above, if you want to gain valuable laboratory experience and work on groundbreaking climate technologies, we'd love to hear from you!