Engineer I/II – Reactor Development

About General Flash

General Flash is re-inventing the process to convert metal oxides to metal. We are a dedicated team of builders - experts in materials, physics, chemistry, process and hardware engineering - united in our goal to re-shore metal production for critically important metals. We’re looking for exceptional candidates to join us!

The Role

We are looking for a R&D Engineer to build, run, and further develop the hardware driving our oxide-to-metal reduction process. You will own key experimental workflows and will collaborate with our process, mechanical, and controls engineers to design and carry out experiments, analyze results, and improve reactor processes and hardware. This role suits a hands-on engineer or scientist who thrives in a fast-paced and interdisciplinary environment, and desires to learn and grow professionally while contributing heavily to core company technology.

Primary Responsibilities

• Build, test, and upgrade experimental setups, including vacuum, gas-handling, electrical, and instrumentation hardware, and design and fabricate parts, fixtures, and smaller subsystems.

• Help plan and run experiments, analyze collected data, and present results and recommendations.

• Prepare and characterize samples by microscopy and compositional analysis, and relate results to controlled and observed process parameters.

• Identify ways to improve process performance and reliability, and systematically test changes to hardware, operating conditions, and procedures.

• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues, identify root causes, and specify and source parts from vendors.

• Write and maintain operating procedures and clear experiment records.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or materials engineering, or a physical science.

• Hands-on experience building equipment or running experiments in research, internships, or project teams, including use of hand tools and basic electronics test equipment such as multimeters.

• Experience analyzing experimental data with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools, and a working knowledge of statistical analysis tools.

• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and electrical schematics.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills, organized documentation habits, and a commitment to safe laboratory practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in mechanical, electrical, or materials engineering, or a physical science.

• Experience with vacuum systems and apparatus, gas handling, or high-temperature equipment such as furnaces.

• Experience with CAD (such as SolidWorks or Onshape) for designing parts and fixtures.

• Hands-on experience with electrical wiring, sensors and control systems, machining on a lathe or mill, or rapid prototyping techniques.

• Experience with materials characterization techniques, such as optical and electron microscopy and compositional analysis (EDS).

• Familiarity with design of experiments (DOE) and data-driven process improvement.

Work Environment and Safety

This is a 100% in person position, at our location in Cambridge, MA.

This position involves hands-on work in a laboratory with equipment that may operate at high temperatures, under vacuum, with high electrical power, and may utilize flammable compressed gases. Training and appropriate protective equipment will be provided.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, commensurate with, and based on, skills and experience.

• Equity sign-on package.

• Mentorship and the opportunity to grow across engineering disciplines.

• Work in a small team, where your contributions directly shape our technology.

• Benefits: Employee health insurance and dental plan.

• Highly collaborative, 100% in-person environment

• Paid holidays and flexible PTO

We do not work with recruiting or staffing agencies and will not pay fees for unsolicited referrals.

General Flash Corp. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.