Research Engineer

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Our mission is protecting the world's water. We work every day to support the sustainability of our most precious resource, so our people know what they're doing matters.

Join our team and do work that matters. Visit www.orenco.com/jobs to learn more or check out the official job description (below).

Company Description:

Orenco Systems, Inc. (subsidiary of Infiltrator Water Technologies) is a manufacturer of innovative onsite and decentralized wastewater collection and treatment technologies. Solutions include community collection systems, advanced secondary treatment systems, watertight fiberglass tanks, and in-tank pumping and filtration systems. Orenco also manufactures high-quality standard, custom, and OEM controls, along with state-of-the-art fiberglass buildings, tanks, and enclosures.

Infiltrator Water Technologies is a market leader within the onsite wastewater treatment industry, Infiltrator manufactures a variety of revolutionary products and innovative, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional stone and pipe leachfield and concrete septic wastewater system components. We sell our products through wholesale distribution across the United States and Canada for use on properties with onsite wastewater treatment systems.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Orenco is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, team-oriented research engineer to join our R&D team and support the growth of our Advanced Treatment Business Unit by developing innovative approaches to decentralized water treatment. The ideal candidate holds a B.S. and/or M.S. in Chemical Engineering from an accredited university, has experience/interest/passion in research, and desires a hands-on role involving fabrication, assembly, and testing of laboratory-scale prototype reactors in addition to brainstorms and design work in the office.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS and KRA (Key Result Areas):

Safety/Culture

• Continuously maintains Orenco Management's safety, cultural, and professional standards.
• Promotes, encourages, and reinforces a positive safety culture, safe practices, and a safe work environment.
• Ensures work areas are clean, organized, and free from safety hazards.

Research Engineering

• Brainstorms and explores new process and reactor concepts for advanced water treatment.
• Collaborates with the engineering team to prototype new process/reactor concepts across multiple flow/process scales
• Manages day-to-day R&D activities within Orenco's R&D Facility including but not limited to prototype installation, startup, modification, sampling, reconfiguration, and/or maintenance.
• Builds mathematical models and simulations to elucidate pathways toward innovative process development.
• Documents R&D projects from initiation/design concept to prototype results/conclusions and reports out information as necessary to downstream company departments.
• Supports product launch efforts including production of technical documents, cost optimization of process/equipment, and attendance at industry/technical conferences.
• Researches, tests, and evaluates State of the Art technologies for economical approaches to advanced treatment initiatives (i.e. pumps, valves, compressors, membranes, sensors, controls, media, etc.)
• Provides technical support to other business units as assigned/needed.
• Assures highest technical quality and design process rigor in execution of all assigned tasks.

EDUCATION:

B.S. in Chemical Engineering with 5+ years' experience in process design, wastewater treatment, PLC/controls, and/or lab/pilot-scale R&D highly preferred. Others with relevant experience/education will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Interest/experience in developing innovative approaches to next generation water treatment technologies.
• This is a junior-to-mid-level position where experience will be prioritized. However, exceptional new grads are encouraged to apply. Candidates with up to 10 years of experience will be considered.
• Passionate about research (persistent in the face of failure), problem solving, and learning new things.
• Creative skills in process design and problem solving (high level of innovation, cost effectivity, and quality).
• Experience managing smaller design projects, with ability/aspiration to manage more complex projects.
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills and superior people skills for interaction with all levels of personnel and contacts within and outside Orenco.
• Works independently and executes effectively with direction from management
• Expertise with MS Office suite.
• Hands-on interest/skills extremely important.
• Experience working in a shop environment and/or with light tools to fabricate lab-scale experimental components and prototypes
• Basic plumbing skills
• MATLAB or equivalent mathematical coding experience
• Experience with automated control systems
• Interest in "big-picture" view of product development from concept sketch to product certification/launch.
• Comfort with (and interest in) working in a fast-paced environment where ideation and design rapidly evolve.
• Must be willing and able to travel complying with current travel regulations and guidelines.
• Must be able to meet and maintain Orenco's approved driver criteria; a valid driver's license, satisfactory driving record, current insurance on personal vehicle, and meet company insurability requirements.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT:

Box knife

Hand tools such as drills, saws, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.

Shop tools such as band saw, drill press, table saw, etc. (to be trained as needed)

Basic understanding of plumbing and fittings

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Primarily office environment with occasional exposure to outside elements when traveling, conducting field work, or within the manufacturing areas. Travel requirements may include operation of a motor vehicle, airplane travel, and overnight stays in temporary lodging. May also require the ability to visit project sites that are situated on a variety of developed and undeveloped terrain/locations. Includes exposure to outside weather conditions. Field or lab work may include exposure to wastewater, requiring proper use of personal protective equipment including but not limited to gloves, face shields, lab coat/coveralls, etc.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Regular job duties include seeing, speaking, hearing, reading, writing, keyboarding, prolonged periods of sitting including extended time viewing a computer screen. Intermittent physical activity including standing, walking, kneeling, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, holding, bending, twisting, kneeling, stooping, squatting, and occasional light lifting of under 20 lbs. May also include occasional unassisted lifting of up to 50 lbs.