Engineer, Membrane development

Job Description

1. Design and develop advanced PFSA membranes by tailoring polymer architecture and membrane thickness through solution casting and coating processes to enhance PEM water electrolyzer performance and durability. 2. Develop advanced structure and composite membranes to balance conductivity, mechanical strength and gas crossover. 3. Optimize ionomer dispersions: solvent systems, equivalent weight (EW), solids content, rheology and annealing conditions. 4. Measure proton conductivity (in-plane and through-plane), IEC, water uptake, swelling, tensile and creep properties. 5. Develop and implement component-level test methodologies to evaluate and characterize membrane properties, including mechanical, chemical, thermal, and electrochemical performance. 6. Run accelerated stress tests: Fenton/OCV chemical degradation, fluoride release rate, mechanical cycling and pressure-differential tests. 7. Use characterization techniques like FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, DMA, SAXS/WAXS, SEM/EDX and XPS to relate structure to performance. 8. Assess H₂/O₂ crossover and membrane behavior in single-cell and short- stack electrolyzer tests with the MEA level 9. Transfer lab processes to pilot roll-to-roll casting/coating with process engineering; define specs and QC methods. 10. Analyze the post operated MEA to identify the failure modes (Thinning, Pinholes and chemical attack etc.) 11. Qualify advanced membrane technologies through rigorous testing, reliability assessment, and performance verification under application- relevant operating conditions. 12. Develop and implement safe work practices for PFSA ionomer handling and testing. 13. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate membrane performance requirements into robust qualification plans and acceptance criteria.