Product Engineer
We are seeking an ambitious Product Engineer to join our growing team and create a new solution to water desalination. Read on to learn about this opportunity to join a mission-driven team of innovators and builders and make an impact on water and energy sustainability.
About H2nanO & The Role
Location: Kitchener, ON
H2nanO is a Canadian cleantech startup on a mission to drive breakthrough solutions for water efficiency and sustainability. As water becomes an ever-more precious resource, our team is focused on delivering reliable, efficient treatment and re-use technologies that meet the needs of critical industries. Building on the success of our energy and mining wastewater technology, we’re now developing a breakthrough innovation – a modular desalination system that harnesses surplus and natural heat. This flexible solution is designed to meet the unique needs of sectors including critical minerals, energy production, and computing and data centers, addressing complex water challenges in remote and demanding environments.
At H2nanO, we’re pioneering scalable, sustainable water technology to help secure a reliable water future for essential industries in Canada and around the world. If you are passionate about advancing sustainable water systems and contributing to water security, independence, and energy efficiency, join us in building the next generation of resilient water solutions.
Roles & Responsibilities:
We’re seeking a skilled design engineer to play a critical role in advancing our innovative water desalination technology into a first commercial ready product. This role is perfect for a hands-on, solution-driven engineer who thrives in collaborative environments and is eager to bring practical, sustainable solutions to life. The ideal candidate will be an experienced mechanical, process and systems engineer motivated to transition innovative technology from prototype to a tangible, real world solution, with a creative and practical mindset for scaling. You’ll be instrumental in designing, testing, and refining modular systems that will set the stage for commercial operation.
Product Design: Lead the design of commercial modules with a focus on usability and end-user needs, from rapid prototyping through to final product refinement. Design for manufacturability and scalability, ensuring practical and sustainable solutions for real-world applications.
System Integration: Specify, configure, and integrate modular components to ensure seamless operation, including control and monitoring systems.
Mechanical Design: Develop and refine designs with a focus on mechanical reliability and failure prevention, addressing challenges such as heat, pressure, corrosion, and scaling. Emphasize durability and ease of maintenance in alignment with sustainability goals.
Collaboration & Engagement: Work closely with suppliers, clients, and cross-functional teams to ensure successful development and integration of components. Collaborate on product positioning for manufacturing readiness.
Sustainability & Safety: Prioritize sustainable design practices and adhere to safety standards, integrating energy and water efficiency measures into system design. Implement and maintain safety protocols for prototype testing and operation.
Prototyping & Testing: Engage in hands-on prototyping, part fabrication, and assembly. Design testing to evaluate and optimize system performance, reliability, and maintenance under various conditions.
Leadership: Provide supervision, direction, and mentorship to junior engineering and technical staff. Manage project execution and participate in planning activities.
Expected Compensation Range: $85,000 - $115,000 (to be determined by qualifications and experience)
Target Start: By early February (New position)
About You
We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply – even if you feel you don’t meet every qualification listed. We’re excited by unique perspectives and believe that your achievements, experiences, and passion could bring something special to H2nanO. We look forward to discovering the fresh ideas and capabilities you can add to our team!
Education: BASc, MASc, or equivalent experience in mechanical engineering, systems design engineering, or related disciplines.
Experience: Hands-on experience in product design, particularly in module integration, systems engineering, rapid prototyping, and design for manufacturing. 3+ years in a professional role is desired.
Technical Skills:
Strong background in mechanical component design, ideally with experience in component design for mass production.
Familiarity with quality management practices toward consistent, high-quality product development and lean manufacturing.
Experience with machining, part fabrication, and assembly for prototypes and system modules.
Proficiency with CAD tools for design and visualization, such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD. Knowledge and understanding of engineering drawings.
Knowledge of heat transfer, thermal analysis, and fluid dynamics to support system optimization. Experience with pumps and fluid flow.
Analytical skills in mechanical failure analysis, predictive maintenance, and prevention.
Ability to implement safety protocols and comply with industry standards to ensure safe system design and operation.
Experience or comfort with electronics, circuitry, and programming control systems logic (an asset).
Desalination or water treatment knowledge (an asset).
Team Skills:
Team-oriented with strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to effectively collaborate across disciplines.
Adaptable, hands-on, and solution-focused with the ability to thrive in a collaborative, dynamic environment.
Project management, including developing and tracking goals, objectives, timelines, and budgets.
Supervision and mentorship of junior technical staff.
Why Join H2nanO?
Joining H2nanO means being part of a forward-thinking, mission driven team committed to innovation, inclusivity, and growth. All members of our team joined with a goal of bettering our water and environment. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Make a Bigger Impact: This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to pioneering technology that supports sustainable water management for industries globally.
Competitive Benefits: We offer a comprehensive employee benefits program designed to support your health, well-being, and future, including life insurance, extended medical care, and dental care.
Supportive Culture: We value work-life balance and offer flexible, hybrid work arrangements. We are open to remote work when hands-on presence isn’t required, while valuing the strength of working together in person.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): H2nanO actively fosters a culture of inclusivity and values diverse perspectives in our team.
Career Development and Mentorship: We are committed to equal opportunities for professional advancement, providing structured career pathing and support for those returning from parental leaves. Your growth is our priority.
Ambitious and Collaborative Environment: Work with a passionate team where creativity and teamwork are at the core of what we do. We set out to solve challenging problems together with pride in what we create.
How To Apply
Sounds like you? Submit your application in PDF format using the linked form below.
H2nanO will consider all qualified applicants and will contact selected candidates to schedule interviews on a continuous basis.
H2nanO supports a culture of diversity and accessibility and seeks the best team members, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender identity, gender expression, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, record of offences, marital status, family status or disability. We encourage the inclusion of preferred pronouns and identification in your application.
We aim to make the application and interview process accommodating for all qualified applicants. If any accommodations would enable or enhance your consideration, please contact join@h2nano.ca.