Research Engineer

AirMyne is a Series A Direct Air Capture (DAC) startup aiming to develop the most readily scalable and cost-competitive DAC process. By employing widely available industrial technologies and equipment, and by creating an energy-flexible process, we hope to overcome barriers to scale such as material supply chains, cost and availability of clean energy, and plant capacity factors. Our engineering team has spent the last four years refining our process into a full integrated system, and we are on our way to an outdoor pilot funded by the California Energy Commission. 

We are looking to bring on a Research Engineer/Scientist who will run lab-scale experiments to develop fundamental data on crystallization, solubility, and solid-liquid separation as well as translate these data to pilot scale decisions. The ideal candidate will be familiar with typical wet-lab equipment and techniques, able to independently design and carry out experiments, and effectively communicate results in weekly research meetings.

What you’ll do:

• Design and run lab scale experiments at exploring e.g. crystallization, filtration, solubility
• Perform chemical analysis to track chemical composition of solvent
• Synthesize and communicate data via documentation, reports, and presentations
• Prototype experimental apparatuses with assistance from fabrication leads
• Provide recommendations to the Engineering and Deployment teams
• Increase the efficiency and productivity of our air-liquid contactors, inform the design and operation of our pilot facility, and accelerate the deployment of a carbon removal process

Requirements:

• B.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field
• 3-5+ years industry experience including at least 3 years of laboratory experience. We’re looking for someone who can immediately own a project using significant background knowledge and practical experience.
• At least 1 year of experience in crystallization and solid-liquid separation techniques
• Experience designing and carrying out experiments
• Happy to get hands dirty with prototype builds, experiments, and process optimization
• Strong data analysis, documentation, and communication skills
• Organized and disciplined about laboratory safety and cleanliness

Bonus background:

• Experience operating equipment in the 20-100 L capacity range
• Analytical method development
• Experience with chemical engineering & process development (ideally by completing at least one R&D to pilot cycle)
• Experience validating an Aspen model with laboratory experiments
• Experience working with contractors and professional engineers
• Experience spec'ing equipment (e.g. pumps, fans, pipes, etc)
• Experience with industrial scale plants/processes and their operation (pilot or larger)

Why join us:

We are quickly reaching the 1.5°C threshold of global warming that the Paris Agreement targeted back in 2015, and it will require both decarbonization and large-scale carbon removal to slow and reverse our current pace of CO2 emissions. We are a team of scientists and engineers who are passionate and goal-driven, and we see a technology with a high potential for big impact. As a small team, every person’s input directly improves our technology. While we each specialize in different areas, we remain flexible with how we contribute to our shared goals, often learning new skills from each other and whatever resources we can find. Finally, we’re a tight team that value both our time together in the office and our personal time outside of work. If that sounds exciting to you, please reach out!

What we offer:

• Benefits plan includes subsidized health, dental, and vision plans with options for life insurance
• 401(k)
• Several company holidays per year including week-long holidays in November and December
• Flexible time-off policy with unlimited PTO
• Equity

This role is on-site AirMyne’s facility in West Berkeley. The estimated annual salary range for this role is $90,000 - $140,000 plus company equity.

NOTE: Not all custom questions may be relevant to your skillset or role - feel free to skip any that are outside your purview.