Test Engineer Pilot Reactor Systems
Lydian builds modular, turnkey plants that convert CO₂ and hydrogen into synthetic aviation fuel.
About Lydian Labs, Inc.
Lydian Labs, Inc. is a climate-technology company founded in 2021 that develops the PIVOT™ platform: standardized, turnkey plants for producing synthetic aviation fuel from captured CO₂ and hydrogen. The company says its Boston pilot has been producing fuel since 2024 and that it is scaling toward commercial volumes beginning in 2028.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will plan, prepare, execute, monitor, and troubleshoot pilot-scale reactor test campaigns. You will develop experiment plans, operate systems through the HMI, assemble reactor components, commission test stands, install instrumentation, and maintain equipment. You will analyze and document experimental data, present findings, improve procedures and hardware, and follow safety, lockout/tagout, gas-handling, and hazard-review procedures.
Requirements
- B.S. or higher in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
- 2+ years of laboratory experience executing tests and analyzing data
- Hands-on experience assembling and testing laboratory systems such as reactors, electrolyzers, or process equipment
- Ability to use hand tools, perform mechanical assembly, and read P&IDs and mechanical drawings
- Ability to apply thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transport
- Ability to independently define and execute projects
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
- Availability outside normal working hours at times
- Familiarity with Ignition, LabView, DAQFactory, or another data-acquisition platform is preferred
- Experience with reactor operation, mass and energy balances, or compressed or flammable gases is preferred
- Understanding of PID control and instrumentation is preferred
- Experience with design of experiments, statistical analysis, CAD, or writing standard operating procedures is preferred
- Prior startup experience is preferred
Responsibilities
- Develop detailed experiment plans with operating conditions, measurements, test sequences, and success criteria
- Prepare, start up, monitor, and shut down pilot reactor test campaigns
- Assemble and install reactor components
- Operate pilot systems through the HMI, adjust setpoints, respond to alarms, troubleshoot issues, and log observations
- Troubleshoot and resolve software, electronic, fluid-handling, and mechanical issues on test equipment
- Install instrumentation, commission test stands, and perform routine maintenance
- Collaborate on reactor, component, and infrastructure redesigns
- Improve and document procedures and newly developed methods
- Identify issues during runs and recommend hardware, procedure, or test-plan improvements
- Maintain rigorous experiment records and accurate experiment databases
- Process time-series data to identify reactor performance metrics and trends
- Analyze, document, and present experimental results
- Follow and improve safety, lockout/tagout, and gas-handling procedures
- Contribute to hazard reviews before new tests
Benefits
- Equity compensation
- Unlimited PTO
- 100% employer coverage of employee healthcare, vision, and dental premiums
- 80% coverage of dependent healthcare, vision, and dental premiums
- 401(k) with company match