Mechanical Engineer

Phinite is a startup dedicated to making agriculture sustainable. Our novel waste drying system transforms animal waste into renewable fertilizer which is exported off animal farms and sold. Revenues are shared between Phinite and farmers – offering farmers a profitable model for waste recycling. Our system is an automated waste dryer, which uses air and mechanical agitation of waste material to achieve drying. Drying systems are built on individual farms, and the final dry material is collected and sold through centralized fertilizer sales channels.

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer to work with us on developing our fertilizer handling facilities. This work will include developing mechanical components of our robotic mixing device and developing dredging equipment (including component design and positive displacement pump selection).

Experience

Experience in hardware, machinery development and low-energy drying systems (eg. Solar drying) is useful. Experience in dredging, concrete or other high-solids pumping is also interesting. Aptitude and resourcefulness will trump specifics though in our competencies so please include any demonstration of past projects, professional or private. Applicants with varying levels of experience will be considered.

Education

Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Bio and Ag Engineering or similar experience developing simple solutions to practical problems.

Job Offering

This project will commence as a contract position with an immediate start. Remuneration will be at market rates, defined in conversation with us. For the right fit, there is an opportunity for this position to transition into a salaried, permanent position within Phinite.

Phinite Mission and Values

We live in a finite world, with finite natural resources and finite capacity to absorb waste. Our global food system depends on phosphorus for fertilizer, but phosphorus is a finite resource, and without systems to capture and recycle it, we cannot sustain the level of agricultural production necessary to feed the world’s growing population.  Phinite makes phosphorus a renewable resource while also generating profit from what was previously a waste stream. At Phinite we strive to build a resilient global food system, so that future generations have the opportunity to thrive.

Phinite’s mission is to make food production sustainable by improving natural resource use within the global food system. We seek to develop technologies with profitable models for adoption so that they have the greatest opportunity to scale and to deliver substantial change across the global food system.

We seek people who:

·       Are as passionate about our mission as we are

·       Are excited about working at a startup with great potential to scale

·       Are honest, communicate problems clearly, and work collaboratively to find the solutions

·       Are creative and can develop simple solutions to complex problems

If you are interested:

Please respond by email to – jordan.phasey@phinite-us.com with demonstration of past projects, professional or private, and why you are interested in working with Phinite. A CV is helpful but not critical as a starting point.