Sorption System Engineer

Job Description Summary
GE Vernova's Advanced Research business is the central innovation engine for GE's portfolio of energy businesses, which will be unified under one banner called GE Vernova. The research organization is made up of 250+ researchers representing virtually every major scientific and engineering discipline. Collectively, they are driving major research programs and initiatives to decarbonize power, accelerate renewables, and promote electrification and the creation of a 21st century grid fit to power a zero-carbon energy future.

As a Research Engineer in the Carbon Capture Technology Breakout, you will conduct research on advanced engineered sorbent material systems as applied to industrial challenges across the Vernova Advanced Research portfolio, including decarbonization and power generation. You will be responsible for applying system-level engineering principles, computational modeling approaches and experimental techniques to develop innovative sorbent systems, prototypes and field deployable demonstration units, including for point source and direct air carbon capture and atmospheric water extraction.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Conduct basic and applied research in sorption and separation technologies, including system design, fabrication & testing, process development and optimization, and performance evaluation.
• Determine system level performance requirements and develop fundamental system knowledge through fluid dynamic and mass transfer experimentation and modeling, energy/thermal management, system engineering cost analyses, and sorption and separations mechanisms. Iteratively improve performance for various applications, such as carbon capture (direct air and post-combustion) and atmospheric water extraction.
• Apply engineering principles, computational modeling tools, and experimental skills to develop material and energy balances and kinetic and thermal models to provide process and system design insight. Use experimental data to understand separation mechanisms and define the kinetic and thermodynamic factors impacting various separation unit operations.
• Identify novel material system structures and system configurations with improved performance (flux, selectivity, etc.), greater reliability, and lower energy requirements, especially under relevant environmental conditions (pressure, temperature, flow).
• Design & execute experiments, while independently leading tasks that result in impact for GE Vernova and customers. Identify key technical issues and produce cutting edge technical breakthroughs.
• Be a member of a multidisciplinary team, including chemists, material scientists, chemical engineers, thermal engineers, and mechanical engineers to develop material systems across diverse application spaces.
• Build relationships with colleagues at GE Research with a wide variety of technical expertise and business responsibilities. Engage in all facets of technical development, including laboratory testing, modelling, and prototype and systems development.
• Support technology transfer and scale up of the developed processes at pilot and commercial sites and to business and external customers.
• Collaborate with technologists and product managers in GE Vernova businesses and at external partners to understand needs and product and process requirements.
• Identify and form collaborative relationships with academic, national laboratory, industry, government agencies and GE experts to leverage internal capability, increasing impact.
• Investigate, identify and pursue external and commercial opportunities, proposing solutions to some of the world's toughest challenges and write white papers and proposals for grant consideration.
• Support IP strategy development and prior art analysis, write disclosures and patent applications and collect rigorous experimental data for IP patent processes.
• Deliver technical results, progress and insights through effective presentations, reports, and publications to GE Research leadership, the GE Vernova businesses, government agencies, professional societies, and peer-reviewed journals.

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related discipline
• Proven record of innovation, including peer-reviewed publications, in areas related to separation technologies, with excellent knowledge of engineering principles including heat and mass transport, fluid dynamics, engineering statistics, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and process modeling and simulation.
• Demonstrated ability to design, fabricate, deploy and test sorption-based prototypes in laboratory and relevant environmental conditions.
• Practical knowledge of safety practices as it relates to experimental design and lab practices.
• Demonstrated project execution experience, teamwork experience & ability to work across all functions/levels as part of a team.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Execution mindset and sense of urgency.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in a global team environment.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals at the Masters level for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.
• Because of the specific categories of data handled by GE Research and the structure of our work environment, we are unable to accommodate employment of persons while they are considered nationals of embargoed countries subject to restriction under the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), 15 CFR Section 746 et seq. (currently North Korea, Syria, Iran and Cuba). Please note that citizens of embargoed countries who have either "U.S. person" status under U.S. export control laws or subsequent citizenship from a non-embargoed country can be considered.
• Must be willing to work out of an office located in Niskayuna, NY.
• Must be 18 years or older.

Desired Characteristics:

• Expertise in the design, fabrication and process development of new material systems, including sorbent materials, and their associated manufacturing processes.
• Experience with the development of material systems for carbon capture and atmospheric water extraction applications.
• Ability to and experience in transitioning products from R&D to prototyping to manufacturing.
• Experience in system modeling - coupling of fluid, thermal, and structural analyses. Skilled in Multi-physics modeling, simulation software, data analytics, and finite element analyses (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS, ASPEN, MATLAB, Python, SolidWorks CAD).
• Knowledge of design of experiments (DoE), familiarity with statistical analysis methodologies like Lean/Six-Sigma and a desire to become Six Sigma certified. Knowledge of Design-Expert, JMP or Minitab for design and analysis of DoE studies.
• Experience in automated processes including use of LabView
• Experience developing patentable intellectual property
• Experience writing successful R&D proposals, including to government agencies
• Demonstrated capability to work in a multidisciplinary environment. Comfort interacting horizontally and vertically both within and across organizational boundaries
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills using innovative and hands-on solutions
• Strong interpersonal skills initiative, high self-confidence and have goals for a career in industrial research.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to adapt to change and willingness to be flexible in a global team environment.

The base pay range for this position is $85,600 - $142,600. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate's experience, education, and skill set. This position is also eligible for a performance bonus. This position will be posted until at least 6/14/2024.

Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to a Health Coach, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time-off for vacation or illness.

General Electric Company, Ropcor, Inc., their successors, and in some cases their affiliates, each sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs (i.e., is a "Sponsor"). Each Sponsor reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a Sponsor's welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.

GE offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes