Only applicants who are eligible to work in New Zealand and meet our requirements will be considered for this position.

This position is available between November 2024 and January 2025 - there will be a long lead time for applications, so please do not be disheartened if you do not hear back from us immediately.

Equal Opportunity Statement - Applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. OpenStar Technologies is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where innovation thrives.

Who are we?

OpenStar Technologies is on a mission to repeat the feats of Maui and capture the power of the Sun. By mastering fusion, the process that powers the stars, we can generate safe, clean, carbon free, baseload electricity in a way that is economically scalable to the challenge of mitigating climate disaster and giving birth to the next industrial revolution. The team is currently made up of 42 talented engineers and physicists, based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), Aotearoa.

Culture Comment: At OpenStar Technologies, our culture is founded on a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. We empower every member of our team with meaningful responsibility, fostering an environment where creativity and innovation thrive in pursuit of our collective mission.

Job Description

Hybrid cryogenic systems

This project will set out to study the useful solidification of Nitrogen and other gases for use as cryogens in OpenStar’s magnets.

Cooling superconducting magnets is at the core of OpenStar’s magnet and fusion technology. While many liquid cryogenic systems are available, the potential advantage of solid cryogens offers a significant performance advantage.

The candidate’s work will add frozen nitrogen as an available cryogen for OpenStar experiments. A capability that is not available commercially.

Responsibilities

The student will:

• Complete mechanical and thermal CAD design of a Nitrogen “freezer”
• Issue parts for manufacture
• Assemble and test the device’s ability to freeze liquid nitrogen in useful quantities
• Establish and carry out the necessary safety procedures for working with Solid Nitrogen.

Requirements

Must have - thermal papers within mechanical engineering or chemical process engineering

Applicants must have completed at least their 3rd year of an undergraduate mechanical engineering or chemical process engineering degree.

Applicants must have experience with 3D-CAD modelling, an understanding of mechanical stress/strain, and an understanding of electrical concepts.

Nice to have - Experience with thermal expansion/contraction, FEA experience (ansys/comsol), cryogenics, design for manufacture

Employment Details

Employment Type: Fixed-term internship.

Compensation:

• $27.80 per hour - 400 hours.
• 3% employer kiwisaver contributions.
• 8% pay-as-you-go holiday pay.

Location: This internship must be undertaken at OpenStar Technologies' facilities in Ngauranga, Wellington, New Zealand. Candidates must be able to work on-site to fully engage with our team and technology.