Job description
Demand for critical minerals to power the energy transition is growing exponentially. Yet, we know mining deeper and broader, and building landfills higher and wider, works against our fight to save the planet. At Nth Cycle, we see the path forward. We believe the critical minerals needed for the energy transition are already in circulation today. We just didn't have a clean, profitable way of retrieving them, until now.
Nth Cycle is a metal processing technology company. Our electro-extraction technology helps recyclers and miners capture more critical minerals-for use in lithium-ion battery manufacturing, among other things-while dramatically reducing costs and emissions. We are the heart of metals processing; we are the crucial step that profitably separates critical minerals from other elements, transforming them into production-grade feedstocks for the energy transition.
You won't find another team like ours. We believe in open, honest communication, and enjoying our work while changing the world. And we value the perspectives and opinions of our colleagues while pushing each other to excel.
We're a dynamic team looking for a new team member who's also passionate about addressing climate change and advancing the clean energy industry. Consistent with our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we value colleagues with the ability to work on diverse teams and with a diverse range of people.
If this is you, keep reading.
Job Overview
The Systems Engineer will support the design, integration, and testing of Nth Cycle's electroextraction systems, working closely with senior engineers across mechanical, electrical, process, and controls disciplines. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career engineer to develop broad systems-level experience while contributing directly to the deployment of next-generation critical minerals recovery technology.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the integration of mechanical, electrical, and process subsystems into complete electroextraction systems.
- Assist in developing and maintaining system-level documentation, including requirements, interface definitions, and design specifications.
- Participate in system testing, troubleshooting, and data collection at pilot and demonstration scale.
- Help identify and document design issues, non-conformances, and opportunities for improvement.
- Support root-cause analysis and corrective action efforts under the guidance of senior engineers.
- Assist with equipment build out, installation, commissioning, and field support as needed.
- Maintain accurate records of system configurations, test results, and design changes.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (process, electrical, mechanical, software) to ensure systems meet performance and reliability targets.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes and documentation standards.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
- 1-3 years of relevant engineering experience (internships and co-ops count).
- Basic understanding of systems engineering principles (requirements, interfaces, verification/validation).
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Comfortable working hands-on with equipment and collecting/interpreting test data.
- Proficiency with standard engineering tools (e.g., CAD, MS Office/Google Workspace).
- Strong communication skills and eagerness to learn across engineering disciplines.
- Willingness to work in a lab, pilot plant, or field environment as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Coursework or project experience in electrochemical, chemical process, or industrial systems.
- Familiarity with industrial control and automation systems (e.g., PLCs, SCADA).
- Experience in a industrial environment.
- Exposure to root-cause analysis or reliability engineering methods.
What we offer
- Competitive salary and equity
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
- Opportunity to make a direct impact on decarbonization and critical minerals supply chains.
- Collaborative, mission-driven team culture.
Salary Range: $90K - $100K.
Location: Burlington, Massachusetts.
Pay & benefits
About this role
About Greentown Labs
Company Overview
Greentown Labs
HeadquartersSomerville, Massachusetts, United States
Founded2010
SizeApproximately 360 employees and has supported startups that raised over $1.5 billion in capital (source: climatebase.org).
What They Do
Greentown Labs is a leading climatetech incubator that focuses on fostering innovation across various sectors, including electricity, buildings, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing. The organization provides shared prototyping facilities rather than developing its own technologies, which allows early-stage climatetech startups to thrive in a supportive environment. With 100,000 square feet of lab space, Greentown Labs offers essential resources such as a wet lab, machine shop, electronics lab, and environmental testing chamber, catering to the unique needs of its member startups (source: climatebase.org). The incubator also provides office space for over 450 entrepreneurs and a 500-person event space, ensuring that startups have access to the tools and facilities necessary for success (source: greentownlabs.com). Greentown Labs has established a curated ecosystem that promotes collaboration, mentorship, and investor introductions, which are critical for the growth of hardware-focused startups.
Projects & Track Record
While Greentown Labs does not execute projects directly, it has played a pivotal role in enabling its member startups to achieve significant milestones. Notable impacts include the success of original tenants like Promethean Power Systems, which developed off-grid refrigeration solutions that have benefited over 17,000 rural farmers in India after prototyping at the incubator (source: news.mit.edu). By 2018, member startups had collectively created over 1,000 jobs and raised $340 million, showcasing the incubator's effectiveness in nurturing innovation. As of recent counts, Greentown Labs has supported over 360 startups that have raised more than $1.5 billion in capital, demonstrating its significant impact on the climatetech landscape (source: climatebase.org). The incubator's ongoing efforts focus on hosting current early-stage companies and expanding its facilities to accommodate the growing demand for climatetech innovation.
Recent Developments
In the past two years, Greentown Labs has not announced any major contracts, acquisitions, or funding rounds for itself, with the focus remaining on historical milestones such as the opening of the Global Center for Cleantech Innovation in 2018 and the establishment of a tool shop in 2021 (source: greentownlabs.com). The organization continues to maintain its status as North America's largest climatetech incubator, with member startups collectively raising $1.5 billion, which highlights the ongoing relevance and impact of Greentown Labs in the climatetech sector (source: climatebase.org). Although specific awards or certifications have not been documented recently, the incubator's reputation as a leader in climatetech innovation remains strong.
Working There
Greentown Labs offers a variety of roles that support its incubator operations, including positions in prototyping labs, events, partnerships, recruitment, and management. The organization is led by CEO Emily Reichert and has a professional staff team that has scaled the organization significantly since its inception (source: news.mit.edu). Job openings are primarily located at the Somerville and Houston campuses, with recruitment inquiries directed to [email protected] for potential staff roles. The company culture emphasizes collaboration, community, and a spirit of entrepreneurship, which is rooted in the founders' shared experiences and challenges. This culture fosters a professional environment where knowledge sharing, investor introductions, and camaraderie among team members are highly valued (source: greentownlabs.com).
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