Job Description
About Mojave Energy Systems, Inc.
Did you know that the climate impact of air conditioning exceeds that of most other areas of climate tech like aviation? Mojave is changing the nature of air conditioning. Air conditioning consumes ~9% of total global electricity production and results in the emission of 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually. It’s time for a change, and Mojave’s liquid desiccant air conditioning systems are doing just that. If you want to change the world, starting with the world of air conditioning, then you may belong at Mojave. We seek purpose-driven team members who enjoy problem solving, teamwork, and personal growth to join our venture-backed company.
About the Senior Membrane Chemist position.
We seek a proven Senior Membrane Chemist to lead the research and development and scale up of ion exchange membranes for our revolutionary electrochemical liquid desiccant regenerator. They will tackle the fundamental challenge of designing ion exchange membranes that simultaneously deliver high conductivity, low water crossover, and long-term stability in liquid desiccant environments, while driving these materials from lab prototypes to membranes operating in real buildings. The successful candidate will “get in at the ground floor” of our newly launched and funded business. They must be comfortable working within a team and building the necessary organizational skills and structures in an early-stage startup, while still contributing directly to the advancement of the product. This role offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation for climate solutions and be a part of creating and launching cutting edge technology. We offer a competitive salary and benefits plus a notable equity package. This is an on-site position in Sunnyvale, CA.
Primary Responsibilities:
· Lead the design and development of ion exchange membranes for liquid desiccant applications with a focus on chemistries and architectures that are compatible with low-cost, large-scale manufacturing
· Synthesize ion exchange membranes with precisely tailored chemical and physical properties (such as water uptake, fixed charge density, conductivity, and selectivity) to meet performance targets
· Design, execute, and analyze design of experiments (DOEs) to systematically explore membrane synthesis parameters and optimize membrane properties
· Develop and implement chemical and electrochemical test protocols to quantify membrane properties
· Transition membranes from lab-scale synthesis to pilot and roll-to-roll production, troubleshoot and refine processes to ensure consistent membrane properties during scale up
· Maintain accurate and detailed records of experimental procedures and results, organize data in shared repositories, and communicate findings visually and clearly
· Adhere to laboratory safety procedures and maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment
Qualifications:
· PhD in Chemistry with 2+ years of post-PhD research experience (academic, industrial, etc.) developing and synthesizing ion exchange membranes for applications such as fuel cells, electrolysis, electrodialysis, or redox flow batteries
· Deep understanding of ion exchange membrane structure-property-function relationships and demonstrated ability to tailor membrane properties through synthetic modifications informed by chemical and electrochemical data
· Proven experience working with a diverse set of membrane chemistries including polymerization, functionalization, crosslinking, and casting techniques with a preference for experience with approaches that enable cost-effective, large-scale membrane production
· Hands-on proficiency with chemical and electrochemical characterization techniques (e.g. IEC, water uptake, EIS, polarization curves, permeability, and selectivity testing)
· Familiarity with scaling membrane chemistries from lab casting to pilot or roll-to-roll processes, including troubleshooting property variations during scale-up
· Strong data-driven and analytical mindset with keen attention to detail, enabling systematic experimental planning, informed decision making, and execution of tasks with high accuracy and precision
· Experienced in safely working with chemicals and in laboratory environments
· Able to work cross discipline with scientists, engineers, and technicians
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Expected compensation:
· Base salary $130,000 - $185,000
· Equity award (4 year vest) on hire. Equity represents a significant component of total compensation
· Annual bonus eligibility (equity award)
· Medical, dental, vision benefits
· 401 (k) with safe harbor match
Mojave Energy Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer.