Job Description: 

This is an extraordinary opportunity to come in at the ground floor of a fast growing, ultra-high impact CleanTech startup. We at Blue Frontier are racing to solve arguably the biggest sustainability problem in the world with our disruptive space conditioning technology and business models. Air conditioning is the fastest growing use of electricity in the U.S. and globally. If present trends continue, by 2050 air conditioning electricity consumption will be bigger than the combined electricity consumption of China and India today! 

Blue Frontier’s patented AC system combines liquid desiccant dehumidification with indirect evaporative cooling to reduce electricity use by up to 90%. The desiccant is recharged and stored when electricity is the cleanest or lowest cost, and later used to deliver cooling when electricity is polluting or costly. These features enable our system to solve an array of today’s largest sustainability problems while improving indoor comfort and occupant health. 

Working within the R&D Department, the Research scientist will be responsible for supporting the department in the design and execution of scientific tests, analysis of test results, design and assembly of test fixtures and operating various advanced instruments and documenting discoveries with details. Other role will include interaction with product development team and help drive the performance optimization, reliability, robustness and quality of the core processes in the Blue Frontier HVAC systems.

To the ideal candidate, this position is an opportunity to create products with the potential to literally change the world for the better. If you are creative with solid critical thinking skills, highly responsible, passionate, intelligent, and driven, you should join us.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Assist the Principal Scientists with the design and specification of tests covering topic areas of water treatment for reuse, liquid desiccant characterization, air filtration and disinfection, fluid flow and distribution, that all serve the performance of Blue Frontier HVAC technology.
• Construct experimental test rigs when appropriate, instrument them for data acquisition, and create design of experiments for collection of data.
• Interface with the Product Development team to understand product roadmap and incorporate product needs into test objectives and priorities.

• Dive deep into the state-of-art liquid desiccant technology
• Apply appropriate chemistry and engineering principles to modify liquid desiccant properties to suit various product needs.
• Lab testing of liquid desiccant properties and performance.

• Be able to learn and operate advanced analytical instruments and general lab equipment.
• Maintain all the instruments in good condition for operation.
• Conduct analysis as required by different departments and provide appropriate insight.
• Work with the Principal Scientists to create innovative solution paths and directions for existing and emerging problems based on scientific principles and engineering feasibility.
• Assist the Product Development and Engineering team with experiments to characterize materials and parts for reliability and longevity.
• Interact with external labs for testing beyond in-house capabilities.

Skills & Capabilities 

• 2-5 years relevant industry experience in product/technology development, engineering and materials science, physical science or other related hands-on Research and Development area (0-5 years for exceptional candidates with an advanced degree)
• BS, MS or Ph. D in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Chemistry from a top 100 university with solid grasp of science and engineering principles.
• A self-starter with proven records of learning and applying new knowledge to innovate.

• Chemical engineering, chemistry and materials including membranes, adsorbents and non-wovens and their applications.
• Hands-on aptitude: be able to conceptualize, design and build prototypes and test set-ups with the needed mechanical and electrical/electronic controls and data collection capability.
• Understand filtration and separation, fluid flow, chemical formulation and material characterization,  and heat and mass transfer.  
• Familiar with material mechanical properties and measurements including tensile, tear, bending/stiffness and porosity.
• Experience in surface science including surface treatment technology and characterization is a plus but not a requirement.
• Proficient with MS office including Word, Excel, and Power Point
• Excellent communication skills including writing, speaking and attentive listening.

Compensation & Benefits 

Salary 

Highly competitive salary commensurate with the position and level of capabilities of the applicant 

Benefits 

Medical and dental insurance. Paid vacation and holidays. 

Location & Travel 

This role will be based in our Boca Raton facility which is located close to Boca Raton Tri-Rail station.