The Role

This is a role at a fast-moving startup; you must thrive in a dynamic, rapidly evolving R&D environment and take strong initiative to push projects forward. You will focus heavily on the core transducers, structural dynamics, vibrations, and the fluid dynamics of moisture extraction. We need an engineer who owns the entire design-build-test loop and can navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities. Because we operate as a tight-knit team, you must be a highly effective communicator and team player who excels at documenting complex workflows and empirical test results.

About Ultropia

Industrial drying processes consume a significant fraction of global energy use, and high-energy gas dryers have no clear path to electrification.

At Ultropia, we are creating the future by rethinking industrial drying. Instead of evaporating liquid, we use acoustic energy to mechanically extract it, moving it out of the target material without a phase change. This side-steps the thermodynamics of existing heat-based drying processes and enables hyper-efficient material processing. We are taking a laboratory-proven technology to market under a National Science Foundation SBIR Phase II award and want your help engineering the future of industrial drying.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Ownership: Design, fabricate, and test high-power acoustic transducers and supporting equipment. Formulate original designs and drive products from initial concept to field validation. Work with team, advisors and customers to define design objectives from high-level system requirements. Dictate design strategies and workflows and collaborate with team to inform schedules and budgets.

• Advanced Modeling & Simulation: Perform mechanical FEA (Ansys, COMSOL) to evaluate static/dynamic loading, acoustic propagation, material fatigue, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer in complex assemblies. Create analysis workflows and set up processes, document work and iterate to improve analytical tools. Use models to dictate design choices and optimize designs.

• Hands-On Fabrication: Operate CNC mills, shop machinery, and additive manufacturing systems (FDM, SLA) to build prototypes and supporting equipment. Balance prototyping needs with long term manufacturability at scale.

• Testing & Hardware Validation: Develop test procedures, build custom test rigs, and execute test-to-failure regimens to analyze failure modes, validate analytical models against physical performance, and ensure long-term reliability. Interpret results and apply learning to iterate on both the modeling workflow and component design to improve both in parallel. Support field testing and pilots as needed.

• Documentation & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Create and maintain rigorous documentation for design histories, testing logs, and operating procedures. Coordinate efforts and prioritize objectives in cross-functional team meetings.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electromechanical Systems Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
  Deep technical expertise in mechanical structural analysis, vibrations, and fluid-structure interaction.

• Proficiency in advanced mechanical FEA using Ansys or COMSOL for multiphysics simulation, including mechanical, acoustics, fluid dynamics, and thermal physics.

• Demonstrated hands-on capability with CNC machining, manual shop equipment, and rapid prototyping tools.

• Strong balance of self-direction and teamwork suited for a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills for documenting workflows, technical decisions, and risk assessments.

• Ability to prioritize development efforts and efficiently address risks and unknowns.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Direct experience designing and optimizing high-power acoustic transducers or comparable electroacoustic devices.

• Design and execution of accelerated lifecycle testing processes for dynamically loaded components.

• Track record of creating and refining design-build-test workflows to accelerate engineering iteration.

Ultropia Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive engineering environment. If you require reasonable accommodation during any part of the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at amy@ultropia.us to let us know the nature of your request.