Founding Research Engineer

Job Description: Founding Research Engineer

Location: NYC, USA

Company: Carbion

Address: Brooklyn, NY 11226

About Carbion

Carbion is an MIT spin-out tackling the global and domestic graphite challenges with a proprietary thermochemical platform. We convert biomass, like nutshells and wood chips, into battery-grade graphite at lower temperatures and with a smaller environmental footprint than conventional supply. By sourcing nature’s carbon domestically, we reduce foreign dependence and build a resilient supply of critical materials.

We’re a fast-moving startup: priorities evolve quickly, problems are interdisciplinary, and every team member wears many hats. We’re looking for people who thrive in that environment — flexible, curious, and driven to learn fast.

The Role

As a Founding Research Engineer , you’ll work at the intersection of materials science, process engineering, and commercialization. You will:

• Drive hands-on R&D and materials characterization in close collaboration with our team
• Help design, build, operate, troubleshoot and scale our high-temperature process (lab → pilot)
• Conduct scientific/engineering tests and internal reporting
• Contribute to proposals for non-dilutive funding
• Support early customer/partner engagements and material qualification
• Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

This is a unique opportunity to shape both the technical and commercial foundations of Carbion from the ground floor.

Key Responsibilities

R&D

• Design and execute experiments on biomass-to-graphite conversion (e.g., high-temperature processing, powder processing, chemical purification).
• Develop and refine SOPs, QA/QC protocols, and test methods (Raman, SEM, XRD, TGA, BET).
• Analyze data, identify trends, and translate results into process improvements

Scale-Up & Process Engineering

• Support pilot-scale design: PFDs, mass/energy balances, equipment selection/vendor evaluation
• Contribute to reactor design and optimization (thermal management, fluid dynamics, heterogenous catalysis).
• Assist in defining toll-ready intermediate product specifications and preparing materials for external processing.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in thermochemical process scale-up, high-temperature systems, biomass conversion, powder processing, and/or carbon/graphite materials
• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Materials Science and Engineering (M.S./Ph.D. preferred) with hands-on expertise in materials synthesis & characterization , reactor design , and process control
• Experience with battery materials development or graphite processing (huge plus)
• A hands-on, inventive, adaptable builder who enjoys wearing many hats in a dynamic startup

(Bonus: prior grant writing or customer-facing BD in a startup/R&D setting; comfort moving from lab to pilot-scale , with strong documentation, safety, and data practices)

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Early, high-impact role with meaningful ownership of outcomes
• A collaborative, mission-driven culture focused on domestic supply resilience
• Ground-floor exposure across startup R&D, scale-up, fundraising, and commercialization

How cool is it that we’re building deep tech in NYC? Join our founding team and help turn breakthrough science into commercial reality, and redefine how the world makes graphite!

Interested candidates should send their CV and contact details to [email protected].

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person