R&D Materials Science Engineer

Vacancy closed

R&D Materials Science Engineer

BlueHeart Energy Alkmaar

What is required?

  • M.S. or PhD in physics, mechanical engineering or materials engineering
  • Experience as a materials engineer for polymer, elastomer and metal components
  • Good understanding of validation and testing, including durability life testing, aging processes and thermal properties
  • Modelling experience is a plus
  • Good communication skills
  • Able to work independently and in a team
  • Good command of the English language, both verbally and in writing
  • Enterprising and eager to learn

What will you get?

  • €4.000 - €6.000 gross p/m (depending on knowledge and experience)
  • 40-hour working week
  • 25 days holiday
  • Training opportunities
  • Company Phantom shares, laptop and SIM card EU+USA
  • Pension scheme

What will you do?

  • 30% Optimising design based on learning from dynamic testing
  • 30% Understand durability performance based on material properties and design parameters
  • 20% Research applicable materials for advanced heat transfer devices (steel wool, metal sponge, etc.)
  • 20% Conducting tests and creating models for regenerator designs

This vacancy has been created based on interviews with employees to help you get a realistic preview of the job.

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Vacancy

As an R&D Materials Science Engineer at BlueHeart Energy, you will be responsible for understanding the functionality and performance of the polymer components of the thermoacoustic heat pump to define the design space. This includes comprehending component interfaces and interactions with the rest of the system. You will play a key role in defining high-level component architectures, setting component roadmaps, and developing solutions based on system-level component requirements. Collaborating closely with Engineering teams during the development phase and test labs during prototype build phases will be part of your responsibilities.

You will utilize various software tools to model and validate components, ensuring their optimal performance. Additionally, you will have an overview of design, performance, and production, including the development of component maturity for mass production. Setbacks and adjustments are part of the job, as each component is handled individually. You will work with colleagues and make necessary adjustments to ensure the components work effectively within the machine.

The R&D team at BlueHeart consists of six engineers, including the R&D manager. You will also work as part of an engineering team with additional engineers and a Product Owner. In terms of reporting, within the engineering team, you will present your work to the Product Owner. If you are working on modeling or new projects, the R&D group and the Product Owner will have oversight. This process involves an iterative approach, with regular presentations to the larger group every three weeks to ensure alignment and progress.

If you enjoy being creative, learning new things and you don't mind dealing with experimenting and feedback, then this is a job for you.

Working week

R&D Engineer

On an enjoyable day you’re modeling a new concept and are brainstorming ways to build a prototype. You’re also analyzing data from recent experiments to conform a new idea.

On a less enjoyable dayy you’re dealing with a supplier that isn’t able to meet requirements. You need to review documents from previous work, which gives you a delay in your work.

  • 09:00
  • 10:00
  • 11:00
  • 12:00
  • 13:00
  • 14:00
  • 15:00
  • 16:00
  • 17:00
  • 18:00
    • Daily stand-up meeting
    • Lunch
    • Perfoming a test
    • Analyzing test data
    • Reading and responding to email
    • Modelling techniques
    • Team meeting
    • Daily stand-up meeting
    • Lunch
    • R&D Team meeting
    • Consultation with Project Manager
    • Reading and responding to emails
    • Modelling techniques
    • Call with suppliers
    • Daily stand-up meeting
    • Lunch
    • Performing a test
    • R&D Team meeting
    • Call with suppliers
    • Reading and responding to emails

Firsthand experience

You need to get a specific material property that is not well understood in the literature. What do you do?

At first you do a literature review to see what similar data is available and how it is characterized. Then you develop a test methodology and design a fixture. You work with the supplier to get test samples and after that, you perform experiments and analyze the data. Finally, you update your model with the new research and findings.

Growth

The career growth path at Blue Heart Energy is not fixed. The company expects to grow fast in the coming years, generating opportunities for all those who are ready to assume new responsibilities. BHE supports training and courses, and sharing knowledge is very important among employees. The main advantage of the start up and scale up phase is that self-initiative is really appreciated, and you can create your own job. As Blue Heart Energy grows, you grow along with them.

R&D Engineer

Working at BlueHeart Energy

BlueHeart Energy was founded in 2016 to apply thermoacoustics as a technology in heat pumps. Thermoacoustics is a disruptive approach to generate heat and cold, with potential to revolutionize the whole industry. Over the past seven years, BHE has developed a thermoacoustic engine to power heat pumps in residential buildings. This so called 'Blue Heart' of a heat pump is sold to manufacturers. In the coming years, the 'Blue Heart' will have to be further developed and optimized. Besides this, we will set up our production facility, strengthen the relationships with our customers (Manufacturers of heat pumps) and set up pilot projects in houses and monitor these.

  • Headquarters in Alkmaar
  • 33 employees
  • Active in more than 10 countries
  • 20% / 80%
  • Average age 38 years
  • Casual
  • Hybrid working

Colleagues

Alireza Moradi (28) - Project engineer in R&D department

Why did you decide to work for this company?
Before this, I studied thermoacoustics during my master and PhD program and I was always eager to combine thermoacoustics with an environmentally friendly system. I came across Blue Hear energy's website during my research period and I was an immediate fan. When Michiel pitched all his ideas to me, I only thought about one thing:when can I start?

What was your previous job?
Before joining Blue Heart Energy company, I was busy with PhD program at Tarbiat Modares University besides doing some research for aerospace institute.

What do you do in your spare time?
Playing football, inline skating and of course still working on PhD.

Michiel Hartman (52) - CEO

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I founded Blue Heart because sustainable heating and cooling is one of the biggest challenges in the energy transition. Thermoacoustics is one of the game changers to make this possible. A complex technique with great impact which requires a great team with various specialties. Building Blue Heart on all these aspects is my big motivator.

What was your previous job?
Founder of QWIC electric bicycles and president of the Branch Association of Electric Transport. I was also temporary Project Manager of large heat projects in The Netherlands.

What do you do in your spare time?
Tennis, skiing, family, outdoor sports (workouts and water sports).

Myrthe Kuijf (27) - Research Engineer

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I started working at BlueHeart through my traineeship at Talent for Transition. I studied technical physics and I want to use my knowledge to contribute to the energy transition. At BlueHeart, I have the opportunity to do this as part of a team.

What did you study?
Student Technical Physics

What do you do in your spare time?
Reading and propagating plants

Roelof Schuitema (50) - Technical Sales Manager

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I was involved in multiple renewable energy projects including Blue Heart Energy's heat pump. When the project spun off into a startup, I seized the opportunity to work full time at Blue Heart. My work brings innovation, development and the application of sustainable technology together, with the entire company operating as a team. That's the ideal working environment for me, and that's what makes working at Blue Heart so great.

What was your previous job?
Operationeel manager at Teamwork Technology.

What do you do in your spare time?
Hiking, camping en spending time with my kids.

Haico Halbesma (53) - Chief Financial Officer

Why did you decide to work for this company?
Blue Heart's Energy goal to green the built environment in terms of heating and cooling appealed to me greatly. This combined with the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team on the complex challenge of applying this clean solution widely, bringing it to the market on a large scale and getting it produced in the Netherlands.

What was your previous job?
Director.

What do you do in your spare time?
Sailing.

Adam Zeman (24) - R&D Intern

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I was introduced to the field of thermoacoustic during one of the university lectures and got instantly hooked. Since we were required to do a mandatory internship as a part of our studies, I instantly knew where to look. Blue Heart Energy was the company that caught my attention from the very beginning due to the range of possible hands-on topics that I could work on.

What was your previous job?
Mechanical Trainee

What do you do in your spare time?
Sports (fencing, climbing, ...), Reading, Board Games

Roel Verhagen (43) - Lead Designer

Why did you decide to work for this company?
I chose to work at Blue Heart Energy because I sought to make a tangible impact in my work. The company's startup environment provides an opportunity to contribute to the development of a truly innovative product at the intersection of science, product development, and mass production. Working in a diverse team where roles are flexible keeps the work engaging and dynamic.

What was your previous job?
Product Developer

What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy engaging in active activities with my children, as well as attending festivals, independent films, and theater performances.

Interesting job?