Engineering Intern, Materials Science & Ceramics Research

Energy Recovery•San Leandro, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

ERI is seeking an enthusiastic and curious engineering intern for the summer, located in San Leandro, CA and embedded within the New Technology and Product Development (NTPD) department. This role sits at the intersection of advanced ceramics research and product development, supporting ERI’s efforts to advance the performance and manufacturability of the alumina ceramic components at the heart of our Pressure Exchanger® (PX®) technology. The intern will work directly alongside ERI’s ceramics and materials engineering team. This is a rare opportunity to contribute to applied materials research on components used in real, high-impact products — with mentorship from experienced engineers throughout. The ideal candidate has a foundation in materials science or ceramic engineering, is comfortable with laboratory work and data analysis, and is excited about bridging academic knowledge with hands-on industrial research.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, or a closely related field (e.g., Mechanical Engineering with a materials concentration) at an accredited university.
Foundational knowledge of ceramic materials, including alumina (Al₂O₃), processing methods (pressing, sintering, firing), and mechanical characterization techniques.
Familiarity with materials testing and characterization: hardness, density, microstructural analysis, flexural strength (MOR), and elastic modulus (Young’s modulus); coursework or lab experience counts.
Comfortable with data analysis tools — Excel required; Python, MATLAB, or equivalent is a plus.
A collaborative team player who communicates clearly, stays organized, and takes ownership of their work.
Comfortable managing multiple workstreams and contributing to projects with defined technical milestones and deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to SEM, XRD, or other analytical characterization tools is a plus but not required.
Strong research and technical writing skills — able to synthesize literature and present findings clearly.

Responsibilities

Support advanced alumina ceramics research, including literature review, material selection, and characterization of candidate formulations aimed at improving mechanical properties relevant to ERI’s core products.
Assist with ceramic materials testing and characterization activities, including specimen preparation, mechanical testing (flexural strength/MOR, Young’s modulus), and microstructural analysis (density, hardness, grain size).
Contribute to kiln process optimization work, including thermal analysis (TGA/DTG), design of experiments (DOE) support, and data collection across binder removal and sintering process stages.
Research advanced ceramics processing technologies and compile findings into structured comparative analyses to inform ERI’s technology roadmap.
Perform data analysis and assist in preparing clear, well-organized research summaries and technical reports.
Assist with specimen handling, test setup, and data collection across ongoing materials research activities.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including design, testing & validation, and manufacturing engineering.
Follow all safety and laboratory protocols during materials handling and testing activities.
Perform other duties and contribute to special projects as assigned