Mechanical Engineer Co-op

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Lydian is developing the lowest cost sustainable fuels from waste CO2, water, and renewable electricity to decarbonize the aviation industry. Our breakthrough technology replaces oil and gas refining with fully electrified, modular, and flexible reactor systems that produce fuel with 95% lower emissions than traditional jet fuel.

Since our founding in 2021, Lydian has achieved key milestones in record time, including the production of our first liquid fuel from our pilot system, capable of producing 10,000 gallons of fuel per year for a fraction of the capital and time of alternative approaches. We are building a motivated, diverse, and collaborative team that is passionate about addressing the growing climate crisis and is committed to excellence in their work. In particular, we look for tenacious people who are energized by solving the hardest, highest impact problems that come their way.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Lydian is looking for a 6-month Mechanical Engineering Co-op for Spring 2027 to design, build, and test mechatronic equipment that helps automate catalyst loading in our proprietary fuel synthesis reactor. You will take on hands-on engineering challenges—from understanding a process and developing concepts to designing in SolidWorks, selecting components, and building and testing prototypes. Your initial projects will focus on developing tooling and machinery for catalyst loading in our pilot reactor, including automated indexing, injection, and inspection. You will work closely with Lydian’s engineers and scientists to turn practical needs into reliable equipment that supports our sustainable fuel reactor systems.

This is an hourly, in-person position based in Boston, MA, with a minimum commitment of 6 months.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Understand catalyst-loading needs and translate them into equipment requirements, concepts, and practical test plans.

- Develop and compare mechanical and mechatronic design concepts, then create SolidWorks models, assemblies, and drawings for selected designs.

- Specify and select mechanical and electrical components, such as actuators, sensors, motors, and other system hardware.

- Build, assemble, and iterate on prototypes, fixtures, and equipment; work hands-on to integrate components and resolve fit or function issues.

- Test equipment, troubleshoot issues, analyze results, and use what you learn to improve designs and demonstrate reliable operation.

- Contribute to the development of catalyst-loading equipment, progressing from pilot-scale tooling toward full-scale systems.

- Document designs, component selections, build details, test procedures, and results so the work can be understood and improved by the team.

- Collaborate with engineers and scientists across the team to incorporate project requirements and solve technical problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

- Currently pursuing a B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.

- Some hands-on experience with mechatronics design through coursework, projects, internships, or work—for example, robotics or automated manufacturing equipment.

- Experience using SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD software to develop parts and assemblies; ability to turn a design concept into a buildable model.

- Able to understand an open-ended technical problem, develop and compare ideas, and make progress through hands-on design, building, and testing.

- Interest or experience in specifying and selecting mechanical and electrical components for a system.

- Comfortable working hands-on in a lab, shop, or prototyping environment, with attention to safety and detail.

- Clear written and verbal communication, including documenting design choices and sharing test results.

- Curiosity, eagerness to learn, and a proactive, collaborative approach to solving technical problems.

- Desire to work in a fast-paced environment and solve interesting technical problems.

- Experience with fabrication, machining, 3D printing, electrical wiring, or controls programming is a plus, but not required.

COMPANY CULTURE AND BENEFITS

- Paid engineering-focused internship with a collaborative in-person technical team

- Challenging, meaningful work that can directly impact company success

- Opportunities for networking/exposure within the climate tech community

- Mentorship from a great team of engineers and scientists