CFD Engineer – Fluid Systems & Flow Field Design

Are you ready to drive change in the energy transition and make a positive impact on the climate? Join Unbound Potential (UP), a Swiss startup founded in 2023 by a group of passionate engineers, chemists, and economists from ETH Zürich.

We envision a resilient, electrified society—one that is independent not only from fossil fuels but also from critical mined materials such as lithium and vanadium. How will we achieve this? By developing a truly disruptive solution: a membrane-less redox flow battery powered exclusively by organic chemistry, suitable for both energy-intensive industries and utilities seeking affordable and sustainable storage options.

About the job:

We are seeking an experiencedCFD Engineer with a passion for fluid dynamics and real-world impact. In this role, you’ll focus on the design and optimization of flow fields for our next-generation redox flow batteries. You\’ll work closely with the engineering team responsible for prototyping and testing, translating CFD insights into manufacturable, high-performance flow cells.

This role is perfect for someone who instinctively understands flow behavior and has hands-on experience designing flow distribution systems — such as manifolds, nozzles, flow cells, and porous materials like electrodes or flow-through components — ideally with experience in two-phase flows and interfacial phenomena. If you can look at a geometry and already picture the streamlines and pressure losses, you’ll feel right at home here.

About Us

What you will do:

• Design and optimize flow fields for flow battery cells using CFD simulation tools, primarily COMSOL.
• Develop flow components such as distribution manifolds, porous media inserts, for uniformflow distribution and minimal losses.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers to bring designs into prototyping and testing.
• Clearly communicate model assumptions and limitations to non-expert audiences, and explain their impact on the results.
• Guide the design and optimization of next-generation membrane-less redox flow batteries.
• Author scientific reports, contribute to intellectual property development and patent filings, and represent UP at international conferences and key industry events.

What you will bring:

• 3+ years of industrial experience in CFD modeling of fluid systems.
• Degree (MSc or PhD) in Mechanical, Chemical, or a related engineering field.
• Strong understanding of fluid dynamics and transport processes in liquidsystems, ideally two-phase systems.
• Proficiency in COMSOL, or strong experience with other tools, like ANSYS Fluent or OpenFOAM, and the ability to adapt quickly.
• Solution-oriented mindset with out-of-the-box thinking.
• Experience with modeling electrochemical devices (i.e., flow batteries, electrolyzers, fuel cells) (desirable but not mandatory)

You are

• A maker, willing to take initiative, seek solutions, and deliver tasks efficiently.
• Motivated to work in a dynamic, high-performance, collaborative, young and fun start-up environment.
• Strongly interested in the climate-tech space.
• Independent and detail-oriented.
• Passionate about driving the renewable energy transition.
• Excellent team player.

What We Offer?

Join a highly motivated and young team. Be at the forefront of developing the next-generation large-scale energy storage solutions. Your role in the early stages of our exciting journey will make you key in developing and evolving UP, overcoming challenges, and celebrating success together.

For applicantscoming from academic positions and/or without prior industry experience, we offer an initial one-year contract, with the possibility of transitioning to a permanent contract upon mutual agreement..

Sports

Frequent sport activities and outings with colleagues

Trainings & Events

Trainings for professional growth and social events

Attractive salary package with multiple benefits

Sounds like you? We are looking forward to meeting you! Send us your CV and Motivation Letter combined in a single PDF through the \“Apply Now!\“ button below!

Unbound Potential does not accept unsolicited resumes from any sources other than directly from candidates. We will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from an unsolicited offer, even if the candidate is subsequently hired by Unbound Potential.

Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.Applicants who do not hold relevant experience are expected to explain their suitability for the position in the cover letter. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basisuntil the position is filled.

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