Test Engineer, Pilot Reactor Systems

Company Overview Lydian is developing the lowest cost sustainable fuels from waste CO2, water, and renewable electricity to decarbonize the aviation industry. Our breakthrough technology replaces oil and gas refining with fully electrified, modular, and flexible reactor systems that produce fuel with 95% lower emissions than traditional jet fuel. Since our founding in 2021, Lydian has achieved key milestones in record time, including the production of our first liquid fuel from our pilot system, capable of producing ~10,000 gallons of fuel per year for a fraction of the capital and time of alternative approaches. Lydian is backed by top climate investors including Congruent Ventures, Galvanize Climate Solutions, Union Square Ventures, Voyager Ventures, Grok Ventures, and Overture. We are building a motivated, diverse, and collaborative team that is passionate about addressing the growing climate crisis and is committed to excellence in their work. In particular, we look for tenacious people who are energized by solving the hardest, highest impact problems that come their way.

Position Overview Lydian is looking for a Test Engineer, Pilot Reactor Systems. Reporting to Lydian's Pilot Test Lead, you will plan and execute test campaigns on our pilot-scale reactors. You will take charge of day-to-day pilot test preparation, operations, and troubleshooting. In collaboration with the Pilot Test Lead and other engineers, you will contribute to experiment design and planning, data analysis, and presenting results to the broader team. As a front-line test engineer, you will identify critical needs for system improvements or upgrades and collaborate with teammates on design, procurement, and implementation. We are looking for someone who can build a test plan, execute it, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. We need someone with a keen eye for seeing what matters most, as well as the confidence, planning prowess, and hands on lab skills to execute their ideas. You'll work closely with process, mechanical and controls engineers on bringing reactors online and operating them. Our ideal candidate loves working in the lab to get things done rigorously, safely, and with a sense of urgency. This role is based onsite in Charlestown, MA and requires in-person collaboration five days per week.

Responsibilities

• Develop experiment plans: Work with the Pilot Test Lead to translate testing campaign objectives into detailed plans, including operating conditions, required measurements, test sequences, and success criteria. Take ownership of assigned tests from preparation through analysis, with plans and significant changes reviewed by the lead

• Execute pilot tests: Help prepare, start up, monitor and shut down pilot reactor campaigns, including shift coverage during extended runs. Assemble and install reactor components. Run the pilot systems through the HMI, adjust setpoints per the test plan, respond to alarms and necessary troubleshooting, and log observations. Work with teammates including technicians and engineers to ensure rapid turnaround and high uptime on test systems including run monitoring and troubleshooting outside of normal work hours.

• System commissioning, maintenance, and upgrades: Develop a deep understanding of our reactor architecture, sub-component design, and testing platforms. Troubleshoot and resolve software, electronic, fluid handling, and mechanical issues on test equipment. Help install instrumentation, commission test stands, perform routine maintenance. Collaborate with teammates to redesign reactors, components, and infrastructure to expand our testing capabilities

• Document and standardize: help improve existing procedures; develop and document newly developed methods

• Improve the process: spot issues during runs and suggest changes to hardware, procedures or the test plan

• Manage and analyze data: keep rigorous experiment records and maintain accurate experiment databases; support processing time-series data to determine key reactor performance metrics and trends

• Present results: Analyze, document, and present experimental data and results. Use past results to drive future experimental direction, and communicate plans to the team

• Work safely: follow and help improve SOPs, lockout/tagout, and gas-handling procedures; contribute to hazard reviews before new tests

Qualifications

Required

• B.S. or higher in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

• 2+ years of experience in a lab setting, executing tests and analyzing data

• Strong attention to detail, with prior hands-on experience in assembly and testing of laboratory systems such as reactors, electrolyzers, or other process equipment

• Comfort with hand tools, mechanical assembly, and reading P&IDs and mechanical drawings

• Ability to apply engineering principles including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transport to analyze experimental data and solve problems

• Comfortable working independently to define and execute projects

• Clear written and verbal communication; able to turn a dataset into a short, well-organized summary

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

• Energized by challenges, and relishes in getting the job done

• Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and is at times available outside of normal working hours

Preferred

• Familiarity with Ignition, LabView, DAQFactory or another data acquisition platform

• Experience with reactor operation, mass and energy balances

• Experience handling compressed or flammable gases

• Basic understanding of PID control and instrumentation

• Experience with design of experiments (DOE) or statistical analysis

• CAD experience

• Experience developing and writing Standard Operating Procedures

• Prior startup experience

Company Culture and Benefits

• Challenging, collaborative, and meaningful work and an important voice in company development

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

• Meaningful equity compensation

• Unlimited PTO and expectation that all employees take significant time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside work

• Excellent insurance with 100% of healthcare, vision, and dental premiums covered for the employee, and 80% coverage for dependents

• 401(k) with company match