Senior Cryogenics Engineer

Position Summary

The Senior Cryogenics Engineer combines technical ownership with project leadership to deliver custom process equipment for cryogenic, vacuum, high-purity gas, and other process applications. AET is seeking an experienced engineer to lead this work from concept, design, and analysis through fabrication, testing, commissioning, and long-term support.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical and thermal design of cryogenic and non-cryogenic process equipment. Equipment includes cryostats and dewars, vacuum-jacketed piping and transfer lines, cold boxes, heat exchangers, adsorber and purifier beds, gas recovery systems, and pressure vessels.
• Perform and review engineering calculations, including heat-load budgets (conduction, radiation, and residual-gas conduction), pressure drop and two-phase flow, thermal contraction and thermal stress, structural FEA, and pressure-relief and venting sizing.
• Develop and approve process flow diagrams, P&IDs, specifications, bills of material, and fabrication drawings with appropriate GD&T. Review and check work prepared by other engineers and drafters.
• Ensure designs comply with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, ASME B31.3, applicable CGA and NFPA standards, and customer specifications. Coordinate with ASME Authorized Inspectors and other approval agencies for acceptance of AET products and services.
• Define, witness, and interpret test programs. These include helium mass-spectrometer leak testing, hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing, vacuum performance, cooldown, and boil-off tests. Lead root-cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Lead design reviews, hazard analyses, and design-for-manufacturability reviews with the shop and quality teams. Hazard analyses include HAZOP, FMEA, and oxygen-deficiency and pressure-safety assessments.
• Serve as technical lead in customer meetings and in developing proposals and quotations. Define scope, prepare cost and hour estimates, and develop technical write-ups. Use this work to support revenue, profitability, sustainable growth, and customer satisfaction.
• Direct and mentor engineers, drafters, and technicians on assigned projects as necessary.
• Support component sourcing and vendor management, including selection and qualification of cryogenic valves, pumps, compressors, instrumentation, insulation, and specialty materials.
• Support field installation, startup, commissioning, and customer training. Contribute to after-sale service, remote monitoring, and diagnostics for installed systems.

Requirements

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Master’s degree or Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is a plus, but not required.

Experience

• 7+ years of engineering experience. This experience must include designing and manufacturing process equipment for cryogenic and non-cryogenic applications.
• Demonstrated experience delivering engineered-to-order or design-build equipment and projects.
• Technical and practical expertise applying ASME BPVC Section VIII and ASME B31.3 to vessel and piping design and fabrication.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD and with FEA tools such as SolidWorks Simulation or ANSYS. Proficiency with engineering calculation tools such as EES, Mathcad, Excel, or Python, and with fluid-property databases such as NIST REFPROP.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes such as precision machining, welding, brazing, cleaning for oxygen and high-purity service, and testing.
• Comfortable working directly with the shop floor.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines. Strong record of coordinating project work across teams and disciplines.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including clear technical reports, calculation packages, and customer presentations.

Company Overview

Founded in 1947, Ability Engineering Technology (AET) designs, manufactures, and integrates custom cryogenic, vacuum, pressure-vessel, and high-purity gas process equipment. AET serves scientific research, aerospace, energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor, quantum technology, and healthcare customers.