Senior Research Engineer
Sustaera has an immediate opening for a Senior Research Engineer. This position plays a key role in leading the development of current and future work. This role will primarily focus on design, operation, data analysis, and sub-system optimization of lab and pilot units. The role will expand to lead a team of R&D engineers and scientists with management responsibilities as the company grows. Competitive salaries based on experience and equity pool available for high performance.
Sustaera is a carbon removal technology developer in Research Triangle Park (Raleigh-Durham area), North Carolina, developing and deploying a novel solution for Direct Air Capture (DAC) of carbon dioxide from the air. Sustaera is a spin-out of Susteon, a climate tech company focused on H2, carbon capture, and carbon utilization and has been backed by Department of Energy grant funding. Sustaera has already signed up multiple customers for carbon removal service. Sustaera has funding support from leading climate tech investors that include Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Grantham Foundation's Neglected Climate Opportunities Fund. Sustaera is rapidly hiring to support the already committed scale-up activities for 2023 and onwards.
Sustaera an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
As a condition of employment, Sustaera will inquire about COVID-19 vaccination status, and in the event that vaccinations and masking are mandated at a work location (including client/partner locations and Sustaera locations) we expect all candidates to comply with these required safety protocols. Please note that as of March 7, 2022, Sustaera will require all staff to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to work at Sustaera locations. Candidates or employees who cannot get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons may be eligible for an accommodation, and should notify the hiring manager upon applying if they wish to request accommodation. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Requirements
PhD in Chemical Engineering preferably with 5+ years of industrial experience in an applications R&D role. Work on-site at Cary, North Carolina Headquarters required.
Desired Technical Skills
Experience with operation of cyclic catalytic, adsorption, or absorption lab and bench-scale test systems
Experience with equipment selection, vendor qualification, purchasing, and physical assembly of lab and bench-scale test systems
Experience with developing and synthesizing materials (catalyst, adsorbents, other solids) including washcoating, impregnation, and/or incipient wetness techniques
Experience with material characterization techniques and equipment including
Experience with Applications R&D translating research data into real-world solutions
Experience with system scale-up from lab to pilot scale
Job Responsibilities
Lead laboratory/pilot plant testing for the company
Lead sub-system optimization including sorbent, support, regeneration integration, and process cycle for the company
Conceptualize new ideas and perform techno-economic feasibility analyses
Support preparation of research proposals
Support preparation of invention disclosures and patent applications
Collaborate with other research scientists and engineers to translate lab data into scale-up system designs
Desired Soft Skills
Strong aptitude for learning new skills
Project management with multiple stakeholders and partners
Strong technical/business writing skills
Ability to effectively work with clients
Strong safety focus
Creative problem solving and lateral thinking ability
Ability to work in a team environment with a “can-do” attitude
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
A passion for climate change!
If interested, please reach out.