Senior Seal Engineer

Fourier is working on making on-site Hydrogen universally accessible. Our breakthrough architecture enables highly modular and fully automated electrolyzers that scale to any size and optimize efficiency at all loads. We are on a mission to transition the global energy landscape towards a purely sustainable and emission-free future.

Fourier engineers work in a hands-on, collaborative environment to solve problems and push progress forward. Qualified candidates should have prior hands-on experience working in a mechanical laboratory or an industrial setting.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Seal Engineer / Materials Specialist to join our electrolyzer stack development team. This role focuses on designing, developing, testing, and validating sealing solutions and compatible materials for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer stacks. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in polymer materials, elastomers, and sealing technologies, contributing to the durability, efficiency, and scalability of green hydrogen production systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Sealing System Design: Design and optimize seal architectures for PEM electrolyzer stacks, ensuring compatibility with high-pressure hydrogen or electrolyzer environments. This includes the development of seals capable of withstanding high pressures and maintaining integrity over the stack's lifespan.

Material Selection & Validation: Evaluate and specify materials for chemical compatibility, mechanical performance, and long-term durability in electrochemical environments. This involves selecting materials resistant to aggressive media combinations and capable of maintaining performance under high-pressure conditions.

Failure Analysis: Conduct root cause analysis on seal and material failures in test cells and deployed systems, focusing on issues such as material degradation, permeability, and mechanical integrity.

Testing & Qualification: Develop and execute testing protocols for materials and seals under relevant operational conditions (temperature, liquid water, pressure, electrochemical environment), including assessments of hydrogen permeability and resistance to rapid gas decompression.

Manufacturing Integration: Collaborate with the manufacturing team and assembly technicians to implement sealing solutions that align with production processes for integrating seals onto carrier plates or bipolar plates.

Supplier Interface: Work with suppliers for material sourcing, custom formulation, tooling, prototyping, and scale-up, ensuring that materials meet the specific requirements of PEM electrolyzer applications.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Engage with stack design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure design for manufacturability and reliability, contributing to the overall performance and scalability of the electrolyzer systems.

Documentation: Prepare detailed technical reports, specifications, and design documentation in accordance with internal and regulatory standards, maintaining thorough records of material selections, testing results, and design decisions.

Qualifications-

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in sealing systems, polymer science, or material engineering, preferably in electrochemical, fuel cell, or flow battery industries.

• Strong understanding of polymer behavior under chemical and thermal stress, including knowledge of elastomeric materials like FKM and EPDM.

• Experience with CAD, GD&T, FEA tools, material testing standards (ASTM, ISO), seal compression tests, and sealing simulations.

Preferred:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Materials Science or related field.

• Experience with PEM electrolyzers, fuel cells, or flow battery systems.

• Knowledge of electrochemical degradation mechanisms and mitigation strategies for polymeric materials.

• Familiarity with hydrogen safety standards and clean energy systems.

Key Competencies:

• Problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Strong communication and documentation skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.

What we offer

• Fully paid Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

• Competitive salary and equity compensation commensurate with experience

• 401k

• Diverse and inclusive work environment

• Paid sick days and vacation

• Paid lunch daily for on-site employees