Thermodynamics R&D Principal

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. It was founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives. The organization emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees to reflect the global populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various communities. The organization is committed to fostering an environment that supports both personal and professional growth for its employees.

Job Overview:
The Thermodynamics R&D Principal will act as the technical lead for thermodynamic engineering within the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WSH) program, while also providing support to other foundation programs for up to 20% of their time. This role is centered on leveraging deep expertise in heat and energy systems modeling to advance next-generation sanitation technologies, which include decentralized waste treatment systems, combustion modules, and energy recovery systems. The Specialist will collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners to evaluate, design, and optimize thermal processes that enhance energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability in sanitation solutions. This position is an individual contributor role focused on technical excellence, reporting directly to the WSH Director. The technical expert will provide advisory support to the WSH Director, the leadership team, and other foundation teams as necessary. While this role does not involve managing direct reports, the Principal may lead specific technical projects or working groups. This position is limited-term for 18 months and includes relocation support. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring visa sponsorship.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Thermodynamics R&D Principal include identifying and evaluating breakthrough thermodynamic technologies for onsite sanitation, providing technical assessments of emerging solutions such as advanced combustion systems and thermal waste-to-energy processes, advising on thermal process design and optimization in WSH R&D projects, and guiding improvements in heat transfer, energy recovery, and system robustness. The Principal will serve as the thermodynamics authority for WSH, reviewing R&D proposals, prototypes, and field test data, and conducting modeling and simulation of thermal processes to predict performance. They will collaborate with universities, startups, and corporate R&D teams on joint thermodynamics-related projects, co-design experiments, and troubleshoot engineering challenges. Additionally, the Principal will oversee technical quality and milestone achievement for thermodynamics-focused R&D initiatives, report progress and insights to WSH leadership, and prepare briefs for internal stakeholders while fulfilling data and analysis requests from the WSH Director. The role requires the ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Thermodynamics R&D Principal position include a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Thermodynamics, or a related field. The candidate must possess a deep understanding of thermodynamic principles and energy-efficient systems, along with hands-on experience with combustion, heat exchangers, and waste-to-energy technologies. Additionally, the candidate should have at least 15 years of experience in research and development roles related to thermal engineering or environmental technology, with a proven track record of leading high-impact R&D projects in the water, sanitation, or energy domains. Expertise in applying thermodynamics to design combustion-based onsite sanitation systems as described by ISO30500 is also essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Thermodynamics, or a related field. This advanced educational background is crucial for understanding the complex principles of thermodynamics and their application in real-world sanitation challenges.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of experience in research and development roles that are related to thermal engineering or environmental technology. Candidates should have a history of leading significant R&D projects, particularly in the fields of water, sanitation, or energy, demonstrating their capability to manage complex technical challenges and drive innovation in these areas.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international scope of the organization and the need for clear communication across diverse teams. Additional languages may be beneficial, particularly those relevant to the regions where the foundation operates, such as Spanish, French, or local languages in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Additional Notes:
This position is a limited-term role for 18 months, with relocation support provided. The salary range for this role is between $233,600 to $362,200 USD, with specific adjustments for high-wage markets like Seattle and Washington D.C., where the salary range is between $254,700 to $374,700 USD. The organization aims to balance competitive pay with its mission-driven focus, and new hires typically fall within the range minimum and midpoint based on their skills and experience. The hiring process will include a background check, and accommodations are available for candidates with disabilities during the application process. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all applicants are treated fairly regardless of their background.