Fall 2026 / Winter 2027 R&D Engineering Intern – Hydrogen Systems

Fourier; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Fourier is seeking a motivated intern to support the design and validation of a regenerative drying and purification system for continuous high-purity hydrogen production. You will work closely with an R&D engineer to characterize thermal and separation processes, develop control systems, and optimize operating parameters while ensuring reliability and cost targets.

As the lead for an experimental test station, you will build a data analysis framework to extract insights into long-term

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's level formal education required in a relevant engineering or science field.
• Comfort with hands-on lab tasks and basic mechanical/electrical components.
• Ability to troubleshoot independently and take ownership of experiments.
• Strong fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat/mass transfer, or kinetics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for small team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Assist design and validation of Fourier's commercial product.
• Characterize thermal/separation processes and develop control strategies.
• Optimize operating parameters to meet reliability and cost targets.
• Oversee an experimental test station and develop data analysis framework.
• Coordinate with vendors to design or procure custom components.

Skills

Hands-on lab work

Troubleshooting

Ownership / accountability

Clear communicator

Education

BS or MS in Chemical/Materials/Mechanical/Environmental Eng, Chemistry, Physics

Job description

About the role

This internship will involve supporting the design and validation of our commercial

product. The intern will contribute to the design of a regenerative drying and purification

system to enable efficient and continuous production of high-purity hydrogen. Working

closely with an R&D engineer, the intern will characterize thermal/separation processes,

develop control systems, and optimize operating parameters to satisfy key reliability and

cost constraints. As the directly responsible individual overseeing an experimental test

station, the intern will develop a data analysis framework to provide key insights into

long-term physicochemical phenomena. The role may involve working with vendors to

design and develop custom components.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a B.S. or M.S. in Chemical / Materials / Mechanical / Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or similar
• Comfortable rolling up their sleeves to work with basic mechanical/electrical components, troubleshoot independently, and motivated to take ownership (agency) of hands-on lab work
• Strong fundamentals and problem-solving intuition in one or more of the following areas: thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, reaction kinetics, phase equilibria
• Thrives in a fast-moving environment and can learn, iterate, and execute with velocity
• Must be available to start between October 2026 and January 2027 for work on-site in Mountain View, CA
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and a commitment to following through (accountability)
• Clear, thoughtful communicator who works well on small, collaborative teams