Automation Controls Summer/Fall Co-op

Found Energy•Boston, MA

About The Position

Found Energy is building clean energy delivery platforms capable of replacing fossil fuels for heavy industries ranging from aluminum production (4% of global CO2 emissions) to fertilizer production (2% of global CO2 emissions) to maritime shipping (3% of global CO2 emissions). Building off technology developed at MIT that enables metallic aluminum to split water, our energy delivery systems safely generate hydrogen and industrial heat on-site at >5x the volumetric energy density of liquid hydrogen and >3x that of methanol and ammonia. By integrating storage, transport, and generation into a single package, our technology solves some of the biggest pain points in renewable energy transportation and storage. At Found Energy, we believe in securing a livable and equitable future for our planet, and we are looking for partners who are motivated by this goal to join us. For more information, visit https://found.energy . Job Overview: Found Energy has demonstrated its core hydrogen generation technologies at the kW-scale, including a system capable of powering a full-sized electric vehicle. We are now working to scale up the reactor system for both our minimum viable product (MVP) and commercial pilot demonstrations. The completion of the MVP and commercial pilots requires designing and testing numerous sub-processes and sub-systems at the targeted industrial scale, as well as at various intermediate scales along the way. As an Automation Controls Co-op, you will play a critical role in developing, implementing, and optimizing control systems for our pilot and commercial reactor projects. You'll work closely with hardware engineers and our R&D teams to create automation solutions that improve system reliability, efficiency, and safety. You will also contribute to designing circuits and control strategies for prototypes and production systems, ensuring seamless integration with hardware components. Co-op Duration: 6 months, with potential extension. July - December

Requirements

Passionate about climate tech and its potential to impact the world
Pursuing education in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related fields
Familiarity with control system design, real-time systems, or embedded systems (coursework or project experience is acceptable)
Experience with programming languages such as Python, C/C++, or MATLAB
Familiarity with PID controllers, PLCs, or other industrial control systems
Experience working with sensors, actuators, and data acquisition systems
Experience with crimping tools, soldering iron, and low voltage circuits
Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with hardware and chemical engineers
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills

Responsibilities

Develop control systems software for hydrogen generation and reactor scale-up projects
Implement and test control algorithms for real-time system monitoring and response
Integrate control systems with hardware components (motors, sensors, actuators, etc.)
Collaborate with R&D teams to define software and electrical requirements and specifications for pilot projects
Perform data analysis to optimize system performance based on test results
Design user interfaces and control dashboards for system monitoring
Support development of communication protocols between subsystems
Participate in design reviews, ensuring software meets safety and reliability standards
Maintain and document code repositories and version control systems
Create detail electrical schematics and cable documentation