Calion is a U.S. based energy technology startup that is developing and commercializing recently invented ionocaloric refrigeration (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionocaloric_refrigeration) and heat pumping technologies to enable non-hazardous and zero-global-warming potential cooling and heating.
Cooling and heating account for more than 50% of energy use worldwide and is rising significantly. There is a significant need to develop high efficiency heat pumps and refrigeration to increase the energy efficiency. Furthermore hydroflorocarbons (HFCs) used in commercial technologies are potent greenhouse gases. They are on track to contribute as much as 25% of the total global warming budget. Combined with the global warming associated with energy needs, cooling and heating can contribute more than 50% to the global warming budget. Newly invented Ionocaloric refrigeration is a disruptive technology which uses electrochemical fields and ions to achieve heat pumping/cooling/refrigeration with zero global warming potential.
We need talented, hardworking individuals who share our goal of tackling this refrigerant problem so that we can cool the planet down, one-less-refrigerant-at-a-time.
Role Description:
Calion is seeking a thermal engineer to model, design, optimize, and test thermal sub-systems in Calion's ionocaloric heat pump. The thermal engineer will work closely with the co-founder and CEO to model various heat transfer processes in the heat pump system. They will then use the modeling and simulation results to design, fabricate, and experimentally test the various thermal sub-systems to hit key performance goals and then integrate sub-systems into the overall heat pump.
What You'll do: • Simulate various thermal transport phenomena • Build high-fidelity analytical physics-based models for parametric design of various thermal sub-systems • Integrate physics based models with cost-curves for techno-economic analysis • Design thermal sub-systems • Build out experimental setup to test performance of design • Integrate sensors, controls, and supporting hardware to test and collect data • Rapid prototyping and iteration of design and extensive experimental testing and data collection
Qualifications:
PhD, Masters +3 years job experience, Bachelors +5 years job experience
Strong background in the thermal sciences
Experience working with liquid/salt mixtures in heat exchangers (e.g. heat exchangers in absorption chillers or liquid desiccant systems)
Strong background in modelling of thermal systems
Proficiency in programming (e.g. MATLAB, Python, etc)
Previous experience with experimental design in thermal systems
Comfortable working in lab-setting
Proficiency in CAD software and basic machining.
Familiarity with experimental design, data acquisition systems, control automation, and sensor integration.
Ability to take an idea to fruition quickly and independently
Motivation to change the world and contribute towards climate tech by developing game changing technologies
Would-be-nice:
Familiarity with HVAC systems
Understanding of basic machining
Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
Strong communication skills to present findings, collaborate effectively, and document results.
Hands-on laboratory experience with hazardous chemicals