Research Engineer

Via Separations is a Boston-area startup dedicated to enabling process efficiency and intensification for the industrial sector. In 2024, Via delivered its first commercial facility and changed the narrative around market-driven energy technologies that drive value for industrial customers. At the intersection of engineering, society, and impact, our team is passionate about making a difference and building the technology and organization to do it. We are a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team backed by leading venture capital firms, and we are looking to add talented, mission-driven people to our cohort.
We are passionate about transformative impact, optimistic about scientific progress, and unafraid of hard problems. We believe that our people are our unfair advantage, and drive our mission forward. We embrace the diversity of our team for creative solutions and believe the best ideas come from the intersection of disciplines and perspectives. We want you to join us!

Role Description

Via is seeking a hands-on Research Engineer II to join our New Applications group. This role is critical to expanding Via’s reach into new industrial sectors. You will be responsible for the "first look" at diverse industrial feedstocks, determining how our membrane technology stands up to new chemical environments. This position sits at the bridge between R&D and commercial deployment, requiring a mix of disciplined analytical testing and creative material fabrication. Responsibilities Include:

• Feedstock Screening: Characterize and test new industrial feedstocks to evaluate safety as well as compatibility and performance with Via’s membrane platforms.

• Performance Benchmarking: Execute bench-scale filtration experiments to measure critical metrics, specifically solute rejection , flux , and permeability .

• Lifetime & Stability Testing: Design and run long-term experiments to determine membrane durability, fouling rates, and cleaning effectiveness over time.

• Membrane Fabrication: Support the R&D pipeline by performing "hand coatings" and bench-top membrane casting to iterate on novel surface chemistries.

• Analytical Measurement: Utilize analytical tools (e.g., GC, UV-Vis, TOC, KF, or conductivity) to provide high-accuracy data on feed and permeate streams.

• Data Synthesis: Analyze experimental results, maintain rigorous documentation, and communicate findings to the engineering and sales teams to inform go/no-go decisions on new applications.

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these qualifications:

• Education: B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field.

• Experience: 3 years of experience in a laboratory or pilot plant environment. Experience with membrane separations (RO, NF, UF) is a significant plus.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency with wet chemistry, handling pressurized fluid systems, and basic analytical instrumentation.

• Behavioral Competencies: A "builder" mindset with a high degree of manual dexterity; you enjoy working with your hands, troubleshooting hardware, and iterating on physical prototypes.

• Travel: Occasional travel (up to 10%) to customer sites or field pilots may be required.

• U.S. work authorization is required for this role.

We Offer:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity options

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Disability & Life Insurance

• 401(k)

• 12 weeks paid Family Leave

• Flexible PTO

• Paid time off for Company holidays

In addition to the base salary range listed above, Via's compensation package includes an 8% annual performance bonus and equity options. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. Via may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role!
At Via, we value and prioritize diversity of thought, access, and experiences, and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.