Full Time
•
Seattle Metro Area
Chemical Engineer
Interlune is a space resources company based in Seattle, WA. We will provide resources from space to power a clean and sustainable economy on Earth and in space.
We are looking for a Doer who wants to join our early-stage team and accelerate humanity’s progress toward an off-world future. Our engineering team combines expert knowledge of geological sciences, mechanical engineering, robotics, automation, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and advanced fabrication to build the infrastructure that will create an in-space economy. To join our small team, you must be agile, willing to learn, and able to take on multiple roles as needed.
This role will lead the design and development efforts on our core technologies, including gas separation systems design, for a space-based infrastructure project. Over time, the candidate will have the opportunity to grow into a more significant role in this small and growing company.
Applicants from all industries are welcome, with particular emphasis in complex, multi-disciplinary system development. Familiarity with and prior experience in the space industry is valuable but not required.
Responsibilities:
- Own the design and development of systems and methods operating in a space environment for:
- Separation and purification of gas mixtures
- Synthesis of new compounds through catalytic reactions
- Identification of the composition of gas mixtures using instruments, including preparation of samples which may contain regolith dust
- Drive hardware development from concept development through the design, analysis, prototype, test, and manufacturing phases.
- Demonstrate complete end-to-end project ownership; leading the build, testing and activation of the hardware you design.
- Write grant funding proposals as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator.
- Work closely with other members of the team to develop thermal, vibration, and loading requirements and to optimize designs for rapid manufacturability.
- Create and manage drawing packages including schematics, 3D models, core component drawings, specifications and system interface drawings.
- Lead design reviews as system and subsystem designs are established and refined.
- Design and develop a laboratory to support all areas of responsibility.
- Ensure personnel safety operating when testing high-pressure and/or cryogenic systems.
- Analyze and track key performance metrics throughout the product lifecycle and continually assess new designs to optimize for manufacturability, quality, and cost.
- Support the development, maintenance, and implementation of a simple and streamlined set of company procedures, processes, forms, tools, and training related to design, analysis, and other areas.
- Participate in the hiring process, including identifying, interviewing, and on-boarding new employees.
Required Qualifications and Skills:
- B.S. in Chemical Engineering, or related technical subject area.
- 5+ years of experience in the design and development of experiments, systems, and methods for separation and purification of gas mixtures, such as cryogenic distillation, chemical absorption-regeneration loops, membrane separation and the synthesis of new compounds through catalytic reactions.
- Practical hands-on experience setting up and managing lab facilities for cryogenic fluid experiments, including taking safety measures.
- Practical experience writing successful government-funded research grant proposals.
- Practical hands-on experience building hardware, including integrated hardware/software systems.
- Knowledge of and practical experience with common methods for sample analysis, such as mass spectrometry, laser spectroscopy, particle size analysis, and gas chromatography.
- Excellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills.
- Ability to work both individually and collaboratively in a fast paced, dynamic work environment.
- Attention to detail and aspiration for technical excellence.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum
Desired Qualifications and Skills:
- M.S. or PhD strongly desired in Chemical Engineering, or related technical subject area.
- Former Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator role on a government funded research grant.
- Project management experience in the aerospace, industrial, or power generation industry.
- Familiarity with common manufacturing methods (machining, welding, hand and power tools, etc.).
- Experience working on an in-situ resource utilization project, extracting resources from regolith using chemical or thermal processes.
- Experience designing and testing cryogenic fluid systems, including pumps, heat exchangers, condensers and phase separators.
Interlune is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on creating our off-world future. Interlune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Don’t meet every requirement? If you’re excited about this role but you don’t meet all of the job requirements, we encourage you to apply and explain why the experiences you do have are a suitable substitute. We’d hate to miss out on the perfect candidate for this or other roles.
Compensation range for on site WA state employees is:
Target Levels:
Level 3 Range: $120,900 - $181,300
Benefits:
Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short and long-term disability, and other benefits
Paid Time Off: Flexible PTO policy with paid company holidays.
If interested, send email expressing interest with attached resume to: