Space Resources Sr. Electrochemical Research Engineer

$136,467 - $191,054/Yr

Blue Origin - Los Angeles, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Los Angeles, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Space Resources Sr. Electrochemical Research Engineer at Blue Origin will be integral to the development of molten regolith electrolysis technologies aimed at advancing In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) for space exploration. This role involves designing experimental test campaigns, developing electrochemical models, and exploring new extraction processes for feedstocks, contributing to sustainable living and working in space.

Responsibilities

• Design experimental test campaigns for molten regolith electrolysis development.
• Develop cell prototypes and measure electrochemical properties.
• Create and refine electrochemical models for extraction processes.
• Explore new electrochemical extraction processes for space and Earth applications.
• Collaborate with teams to align technical solutions with business objectives.
• Communicate schedule and budget risks effectively with stakeholders.
• Identify improvement opportunities and develop detailed plans for implementation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in chemical engineering, metallurgy, materials science, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 4 years of industry experience in a relevant field.
• In-depth understanding of electrochemical principles and applications.
• Knowledge of high-temperature electrochemical systems such as molten salt or molten oxide.
• Experience in setting up and executing electrochemical experiments and evaluating performance.
• Hands-on experience in fabricating electrochemical cells.
• Proficiency in modeling electrochemical processes using MATLAB or Python.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with thermodynamic modeling software like FactSage or Thermo-Calc.
• Familiarity with mining and extractive metallurgy.
• Knowledge of chemical reactor design and scaling.
• Experience with material characterization tools such as micro-CT, XRD, SEM, XRF.
• Experience in designing and building prototype reactors for commercial applications.
• Background in aerospace technology development.
• In-depth knowledge of molten oxide electrolysis or molten regolith electrolysis.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short and long-term disability insurance.
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%.
• Education Support Program.
• Up to four weeks of paid time off per year.
• Up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Discretionary bonuses based on individual contributions.