Senior Prototype Development & Test Engineer

SDS Separation Technology; Zwijndrecht; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SDS Separation Technology is seeking a Senior Prototype Development & Test Engineer to own and advance a lab-scale carbon capture prototype. You will ensure safety, reliability and readiness for testing while turning experimental learnings into practical design improvements.

This hands-on role combines mechanical engineering, prototyping, controls and project execution. You’ll work with researchers, partners and suppliers in NL, Germany and China, moving quickly from CAD to testing and

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in prototyping, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, pilot plants, industrial R&D or similar environments.
• BSc, MSc or equivalent practical experience in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or a related discipline.
• Strong 3D CAD and mechanical design capability.

Responsibilities

• Prototype Ownership & Testing: take primary technical ownership, maintain and operate the system during development and experimental campaigns, diagnose issues, prepare and configure the prototype for tests, lead test execution.
• Design & Fabrication: lead improvements, develop CAD models and fabrication drawings, assemble prototype equipment, maintain instrumentation and control systems, implement alarms and safeguards.
• Project Execution: source components, prepare RFQs, evaluate quotations, coordinate with suppliers in NL and China, manage prototype improvement and risk, adapt to changing priorities.
• Workshop & Safety: maintain a safe lab, ensure standards for tools and documentation, perform risk assessments, manage rotating equipment and chemicals safely.

Skills

5+ years prototyping

3D CAD

Mechanical design

Mechatronics

PLC programming

Project management

Education

BSc or MSc Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

3D CAD software

PLC programming tools

Instrumentation & sensors

Job description

SDS Separation Technology is developing next-generation carbon capture systems designed to dramatically reduce the cost, footprint and energy consumption of industrial CO‐‐‐‐CO‐‐‐‐capture.

Our novel process-intensification technology rethinks conventional gas‑liquid absorption, enabling compact, high-performance capture systems while remaining solvent agnostic. This allows us to significantly reduce the footprint of the entire capture unit, forging a path towards the world’s smallest and most affordable carbon capture platform.

We aim to deploy our technology at scale, enabling decarbonisation across multiple sectors. All carbon removal, reduction and utilisation solutions depend on affordable, low-cost carbon capture. SDS is here to make that happen!

THE ROLE

We are looking for a Senior Prototype Development & Test Engineer to take hands-on technical ownership of our existing lab-scale carbon capture prototype and lead its continued development. You will ensure the prototype is safe, reliable, operational and ready to test, while turning experimental learnings into practical design improvements.

This is a highly hands-on role combining mechanical engineering, prototyping, controls, experimentation and project execution. You may be operating and troubleshooting the prototype, redesigning a component in CAD, modifying PLC logic, sourcing instrumentation, working with a fabricator or preparing equipment for a test campaign in Germany.

You will work closely with SDS’s process and modelling engineers and coordinate with research institutes, engineering partners and equipment suppliers in the Netherlands, Germany and China.

This is not a desk-based engineering role. We are looking for someone who enjoys working directly with equipment, understanding why things do or do not work, and improving them quickly.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Prototype Ownership & Testing

• ·Take primary technical ownership of SDS’s existing lab-scale prototype
• ·Maintain and operate the system during development and experimental campaigns
• ·Diagnose and resolve mechanical, instrumentation, controls and operational issues
• ·Perform maintenance, repairs, calibration and equipment checks
• ·Prepare and configure the prototype for specific experiments
• ·Lead practical test execution, including startup, operation, monitoring and shutdown
• ·Ensure equipment configurations, operating conditions and modifications are properly documented
• ·Translate experimental observations into design and operational improvements
• ·Support test campaigns at external research facilities, particularly in Germany

Design & Fabrication

• ·Lead improvements and modifications to the existing prototype
• ·Translate engineering concepts and experimental learnings into practical hardware changes
• ·Develop 3D CAD models, fabrication drawings and component specifications
• ·Build, assemble and modify prototype equipment where practical
• ·Maintain and improve instrumentation, data acquisition and control systems
• ·Select, install and troubleshoot sensors, transmitters, actuators and other control components
• ·Develop and modify PLC logic and basic HMI/control systems
• ·Implement appropriate alarms, trips, interlocks and equipment safeguards

Project Execution

• ·Source components, materials, instrumentation and fabrication services
• ·Prepare RFQs, technical specifications and drawings
• ·Evaluate quotations and make practical make-versus-buy decisions
• ·Coordinate engineering and fabrication activities with suppliers in the Netherlands and China
• ·Work with research institutes and external test facilities in Germany
• ·Independently manage prototype improvement and experimental projects, including schedule, procurement, cost and technical risks
• ·Adapt quickly when experimental results or technology priorities change

Workshop & Safety

• ·Maintain a safe, clean and well-organised laboratory and workshop
• ·Ensure appropriate standards for tools, spare parts, materials and equipment documentation
• ·Perform practical risk assessments for modifications and experimental campaigns
• ·Ensure rotating equipment, pressure systems, electrical systems and chemicals are managed safely
• ·Maintain strong engineering and safety discipline while enabling rapid experimentation

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are particularly interested in engineers who have built, operated, maintained and improved real equipment. You should ideally have:

• ·5+ years of experience in prototyping, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, pilot plants, industrial R&D or similar environments
• ·BSc, MSc or equivalent practical experience in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics or a related discipline
• ·Strong 3D CAD and mechanical design capability
• ·Practical experience assembling, commissioning, modifying and troubleshooting mechanical equipment
• ·Experience with pumps, valves, piping, rotating equipment and instrumentation
• ·Working knowledge of electrical systems, sensors and industrial controls
• ·Experience programming or modifying PLC-based control systems
• ·Experience with equipment procurement and supplier management
• ·Ability to independently manage small engineering projects
• ·Strong understanding of mechanical, process and workshop safety

Experience with carbon capture is useful, but not essential. We place greater value on strong engineering fundamentals, practical problem-solving and experience working directly with complex equipment.

HOW YOU WORK

You are an engineer who likes to understand a machine by working with it.

You take ownership.

You treat the prototype as your machine. You know how it works, what condition it is in and what needs to happen to make it better.

You are hands-on.

You are comfortable operating experimental equipment yourself and moving between CAD, the workshop, PLC programming, testing and supplier discussions.

You are a systematic problem solver.

When something doesn’t work, you don’t just fix the symptom. You troubleshoot methodically, identify the root cause and use what you learn to improve the design.

You are practical.

You know when to fabricate or modify something yourself and when to involve a specialist or supplier.

You are organised.

Fast-paced development doesn’t mean chaos. You keep equipment, drawings, parts, tools, configurations and documentation under control.

You take safety seriously.

You understand that moving quickly with experimental equipment still requires strong engineering and workshop discipline.

You can take something from problem to solution.

You can move from identifying an issue through design, procurement and implementation to testing whether the solution actually worked.

You are comfortable with change.

Experimental results won’t always be what we expect. You remain pragmatic when priorities change and are willing to change direction when the evidence tells us to.