Technology Development Engineer

About the role

Midrex is the world leader in direct reduction technology, offering the best proven method for decarbonization in the iron and steel industry. As a Technology Development Engineer, you will split your time evenly between R&D analysis/innovation and intellectual property (IP) support. This role requires strong chemical engineering fundamentals—particularly in thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, and process analysis—while prior IP experience is beneficial but trainable.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to the Innovation Team and Intellectual Property Committee, developing expertise in Midrex process technologies through collaboration with R&D, engineering, and technical teams.
• Apply engineering fundamentals (thermodynamics, heat/mass transfer, reaction kinetics, fluid mechanics, materials science, and metallurgy) to analyze process performance, simulations, experimental data, and new technology concepts.
• Assess technical feasibility, risk, technology readiness, and development needs for R&D and technology-development activities.
• Use innovation engineering methods to define problems, facilitate ideation, evaluate alternatives, and advance promising concepts.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and project teams to challenge assumptions, clarify engineering bases, identify protectable inventions, and prepare technically complete invention disclosures.
• Serve as the technical liaison between engineering/R&D teams, internal legal, and external patent counsel; review patent applications, drawings, prior art, and Office Action responses for accuracy.
• Evaluate technical literature, prior art, and competitor patents for novelty, process advantages, risks, and opportunities; support freedom-to-operate assessments.
• Support IP strategy and administration, including invention tracking, domestic/international filings, patent annuities, maintenance fees, prosecution deadlines, and confidentiality.
• Maintain and administer the Company’s intellectual property database and related records for accurate tracking of disclosures, filings, and prosecution activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering strongly preferred; other disciplines considered with demonstrated strength in thermodynamics and industrial process engineering).
• Minimum of 5 years of applied engineering experience in industrial process technology, operations, equipment/process development, commissioning, troubleshooting, or applied R&D.
• Demonstrated application of engineering fundamentals to industrial processes, experimental programs, operating data, or technology-development decisions.
• Travel: 5% to 15% (international and domestic as needed).
• Physical ability to move around facilities (including climbing stairs), reach above shoulders, and lift up to 20 lbs.

Skills

• Required:
  • Strong chemical engineering fundamentals (thermodynamics, phase/chemical equilibrium, heat/mass transfer, reaction engineering, fluid mechanics, material/energy balances).
  • Ability to apply enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, equilibrium, and reaction kinetics to industrial problems.
  • Applied engineering experience in industrial processes, manufacturing, operations, or applied R&D, with ability to interpret flow diagrams, technical drawings, and data.
  • Proficiency in structured innovation methods (problem definition, ideation, evaluation).
  • Strong technical writing, analytical, and communication skills; ability to document complex concepts clearly and collaborate across engineering, legal, and business teams.
  • Ability to manage multiple technical/IP assignments while meeting deadlines.
• Preferred:
  • Experience in industrial process technology, direct reduction, metals/gas processing, hydrogen, carbon capture, or high-temperature systems (including process simulation, controls, or plant operations).
  • Experience with invention disclosures, patent applications, technical literature/patent reviews, or IP strategy (USPTO registration or formal IP training beneficial).

Benefits

• Competitive benefits effective from Day 1.
• Dollar-for-dollar 401(k) matching (up to 6%).
• Profit sharing with 401(k) kicker.
• Generous overtime for qualified positions.
• 4 weeks of paid vacation.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Raffles for professional sports tickets.
• Half-day Fridays.
• Flexible home/office work practices.
• Paid time to volunteer.
• Employee recognition awards.