Volunteer Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX

Energy Exploration Technologies has a mission to become a worldwide leader in the global transition to sustainable energy. Founded in 2018, the company is fundamentally changing the way humanity is powering our world and storing clean energy with breakthrough lithium-ion technology and energy storage solutions.
The Role
The Mechanical Engineer will own key process equipment packages, work directly with vendors and engineering firms, and help optimize two demonstration plants to achieve target productivity, operability, and cost-effective commercial design. This role bridges pilot and demonstration operations with commercial engineering.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead mechanical engineering activities for pilot, demonstration, and early commercial lithium separation systems, with responsibility for one or more critical equipment packages.
• Translate process development and process design package (PDP/PDS) requirements into practical, reliable, and cost-effective equipment and plant designs.
• Develop and review process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), equipment layouts, utility requirements, hydraulic calculations, and equipment data sheets.
• Collaborate with process engineers, operations personnel, vendors, construction partners, and external engineering firms to support scale-up from demonstration to commercialization.
• Support optimization, modification, troubleshooting, and ramp-up of two demonstration plants.
Commercial Engineering Scope
• Own vendor engagement for major process equipment packages such as filtration, drying, evaporation, separation, micronizing, thickening, pumps, valves, tanks, heat exchangers, and water treatment systems.
• Prepare or support technical bid packages, review vendor proposals, compare technical options, and drive equipment selection based on performance, operability, maintainability, and total installed cost.
• Review and revise vendor mechanical designs, P&IDs, specifications, and expected performance to align with EnergyX process requirements and simplify the commercial plant design where possible.
• Work closely with external engineering firms on equipment integration, plot plans, plant layout, utilities, and interdisciplinary design coordination.
• Support design reviews, HAZOP/operability discussions, and field issue resolution during engineering, fabrication, installation, and commissioning.
• Travel to vendor, fabricator, engineering firm, or project sites as needed during detailed engineering and equipment delivery.
Demonstration Plant Scope
• Support commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement activities for two demonstration projects.
• Identify bottlenecks in equipment, key components, and flow systems; propose and implement modifications that improve capacity, reliability, and ease of operation.
• Collect and interpret operating data to recommend design improvements for the next scale of deployment.
• Partner with operators and technicians to improve equipment maintainability, spare parts planning, and standard operating practices.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 3-5+ years of mechanical engineering experience in chemical processing, minerals processing, water treatment, or a similar industrial environment.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and checking PFDs, P&IDs, equipment specifications, general arrangement drawings, and vendor packages.
• Working knowledge of industrial equipment including piping systems, valves (manual, control, and relief), pumps, pressure vessels, filters, coalescers, columns, evaporators, tanks, heat exchangers, and reactors.
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks.
• Knowledge of applicable design codes and standards such as ASME, DIN/EN, and related regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot equipment, communicate effectively with vendors, and work across process, operations, and project teams.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience supporting pilot plants, demonstration plants, or first-of-a-kind process scale-up projects.
• Experience working directly with fabrication shops, OEMs, EPC/EPCM firms, or construction contractors.
• Spanish language proficiency.
Success in This Role
• Drive critical equipment packages from concept through vendor selection, design review, fabrication support, and commissioning.
• Help demonstration plants achieve target production rates and stable operation.
• Contribute to a simpler, more robust, and more cost-effective commercial plant design.
Work Environment
This position is based in Austin, Texas. Travel to vendor facilities, engineering partners, project sites, and international locations in South America may be required - up to 25% travel.
What we Offer

• Competitive pay
• Paid time-off, holidays, and sick time
• 401(k) with employer match
• Equity Package
• Medical, dental and vision benefits with employer contribution; voluntary benefits available

EnergyX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with EnergyX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.