Research and Development Engineer

Company Description

Hydram Research is an Icelandic early stage engineering/tech company that develops large-scale inertial evaporators that efficiently transform industrial waste heat into process steam. Basically a new type of steam compressors that use a fast moving multi-ton liquid piston to generate steam using forced flash evaporation - then squising and ejecting the valuable pressurized process steam for use.

The equipment will soon be sold to thermally intensive sectors, including chemical manufacturing, pulp and paper, and food production, with potential opportunities in data centers (it also cools). Its systems are engineered to help organizations recover energy, reduce emissions, and improve overall process efficiency.

It's a demanding, mission-driven environment for professionals interested in contributing to the development of extremely complex huge hardware involving non-linear oscillations, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, control theory etc.

Role Description This full-time, on-site Research and Development Engineer role is based in Gardabaer, Iceland. The position involves physics modeling, analysing data from tests, brainstorming solutions and assisting with development of mechanical and thermal components.

Day-to-day responsibilities include conducting experimental research, planning and executing tests, analyzing results, and iterating on designs to improve performance, safety, and reliability. The engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product development from concept through prototyping and validation, and will assist in documenting technical findings, preparing specifications, and contributing to scale-up and implementation in industrial environments.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess strong analytical skills for data analysis, problem-solving, and performance optimization.
• Decent foundation in thermodynamics. Candidates should be very interested in and possess solid foundation in physics, thermodynamics and heat transfer.
• Candidates should possess skills in Python and preferably have done work with steam-packages such as Coolprops.
• Relevant qualifications include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, physics, chemical engineering, energy engineering, or a related field.
• Beneficial skills include proficiency with simulation and modeling tools (e.g. CFD), familiarity with industrial processes (e.g. paper & board, oil refineries, chemical mfg.), experience working with small electronic components, ESP32s, sensor equipment, experience in lab setting.
• Also great if the candidate is "handy" and has experience building/fixing things.
• Strong communication skills, ability to work collaboratively on-site, and a structured approach to documentation and reporting are expected.

Note, this is a small, collaborative and demanding early stage environment with mission focused-, startup- and owner-mindset. If you're normal professional, high-achiever and all that, but have solid boundaries between work and personal life and only expect a paycheck for your "nine-to-five", this one is probably not for you.