Engineer II - Special Projects

Kunin; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 115,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Benefits package

Job summary

Kunin Technologies in Chattanooga, TN is seeking a hands-on laboratory experimentalist for the year‑1 DARPA program on palladium and nickel nanocrystal catalysts. You will prepare samples, run the test matrix, operate reactors, and turn raw outputs into clean data for milestone reports, under the PI and a senior engineer.

The role requires a chemistry or physics background (Bachelor with 1–2 years, Master with 0–2, or PhD), experience with gas handling, vacuum systems, and materials

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering or Physics with 1–2 years of lab experience, or a Master's with 0–2 years, or a PhD.
• Experimentalist comfortable with gas handling and vacuum systems and careful bench work.
• Experience in materials synthesis or characterization (XRD, SEM/TEM, BET) or radiation/particle detection.
• Data analysis with Python, MATLAB, or Excel, with emphasis on data provenance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and characterize palladium and nickel nanocrystal samples.
• Operate loading and triggering reactors and run samples through the test matrix.
• Calibrate and operate detection and metrology equipment; maintain calibration records.
• Collect, reduce, and document experimental data; maintain the lab notebook.
• Maintain lab safety and follow SOPs; keep workspace audit-ready.
• Suggest improvements to workflows, techniques, and equipment capacity.
• Support metal recovery projects with bench work when possible.

Skills

experimentalist

gas handling

vacuum systems

data analysis

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering or Physics

Tools

XRD

SEM/TEM

BET

Job description

U.S. CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED: This position is open only to U.S. citizens. Applications from candidates who are not U.S. citizens will not be considered.

Who We Are

Kunin Technologies is revolutionizing the critical mineral supply chain by implementing advanced separation technologies to capture value from overlooked resources.

Metals are everywhere, in solar panels, smartphones, electric vehicles, but as ore grades plummet globally, traditional extraction methods are failing. China dominates critical minerals markets by developing superior separation technologies that extract value from materials American mines discard as waste.

Utilizing Kunin Technologies’ breakthrough mass manufacturable nano‑separation systems, significantly more value can be produced from each resource, reducing waste, and unlocking domestic critical mineral production.

MISSION FOR YEAR 1

Kunin's Special Projects group runs externally funded research programs that sit alongside our metal recovery pipeline. The current program is a DARPA‑funded effort on nanocrystalline metal catalysts for energy production: preparing and characterizing palladium and nickel nanocrystal samples, cycling them through an extensive loading and triggering test matrix, and measuring the result with calibrated detection and metrology instruments. The work is milestone‑driven and reported to the government sponsor at scheduled program reviews.

You will be the dedicated hands in the laboratory for this program, working under the Principal Investigator and a senior engineer. You will run the sample preparation, the test cycling, and the instruments, and you will turn the raw output into clean, documented data that the milestone reports are built on.

By the end of 2027, we expect:

• The nanocrystal sample preparation and characterization workflow running to a written procedure, with every sample logged and traceable.
• The Phase 1 test matrix executed on schedule, with detection and metrology instruments calibrated to a documented routine.
• A reduced, quality‑checked dataset for every test campaign, delivered to the Principal Investigator within one week of campaign close.
• Written contributions to each Phase 1 milestone deliverable and program review package.

What You'll Do

• Prepare and characterize palladium and nickel nanocrystal samples (XRD, SEM/TEM, BET and related methods).
• Operate the loading and triggering reactors and run samples through the test matrix, including gas handling and vacuum systems.
• Calibrate and operate the detection and metrology equipment, and keep calibration records current.
• Collect, reduce, and document experimental data; maintain the laboratory notebook and data files to program standards.
• Keep the laboratory safe and orderly: current on all safety training, standard operating procedures followed and maintained, housekeeping to audit standard.
• Identify improvements to laboratory workflows, test techniques, and equipment capability, and raise them with the senior engineer.
• Support Kunin's metal recovery projects with bench work when the program schedule allows.

Who You Are

• Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering or Physics with 1 to 2 years of related laboratory experience, or a Master's with 0 to 2 years, or a PhD.
• Experimentalist comfortable with gas handling and vacuum systems and with careful, repetitive bench work across a large test matrix.
• Experienced in at least one of materials synthesis, materials characterization (XRD, SEM/TEM, BET), or radiation and particle detection.
• Skilled in data analysis with Python, MATLAB, or Excel, and disciplined about data provenance.
• Comfortable working independently on routine tasks and asking for direction on non‑routine ones.
• Team player who keeps the laboratory notebook, the data, and the sponsor deliverables complete and on time.

Compensation

This role will pay $115,000 - $190,000, benefits, and equity.

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to relocate to Chattanooga, TN.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Extended hours and weekends frequently required to support critical project milestones.

Chattanooga is more beautiful than expected, and Tennessee has no income tax.

"The Whole World Is Ion-Exchange And The Rest Are Merely Details!"

Dr. Robert Kunin of Rohm and Haas, The Pioneer of the Ion-Exchange Industry, 1951