Senior R&D Engineer - Fire and Explosion

The UL Solutions Research and Development team is seeking a driven and team-oriented person to work with us on research, testing, and simulation of emerging fire and explosion safety problems. Many of these problems will focus on the energy and fire protection industries, including lithium-ion battery thermal runaway and fires in the built environment. Practical laboratory projects and robust application of theoretical knowledge of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics and combustion are central to this role.

A successful candidate will be creative, curious, adaptable to a fast-paced and multi-disciplined environment and willing to work collaboratively with a team of other engineers and scientists to solve complex problems.

Work independently and with a team to conduct laboratory testing for client projects and research programs for UL safety testing service development and fundamental scientific advancement.

Apply fundamental and practical understanding of the relevant physics, chemistry, and engineering principles to create test programs and engineering judgments with sound assumptions and reasoning.

Carry out engineering analyses using combinations of numerical simulation and test data inputs.

Efficiently scope, plan, and execute projects from start to finish, including hands-on testing, detailed technical analysis and reporting of results.

Complete formal technical reports of work completed, including all information and details about strategy, approach and outcome.

Communicate with internal and external clients to develop and manage projects from start to finish.

Work across industries / segments, collaborate with key stakeholders, and provide timeline communications to both internal and external stakeholders.

Stay ahead of changing technologies in the field by reading journals and scientific publications, attending academic conferences, writing, and collaborating on original publications, and delivering presentations on research engineering topics.

Collaborate with industry, academics and other research and development staff to apply the results of R&D efforts to development of new techniques, products, practices, and UL Standards.

Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services.

Present project results and findings at academic and industry conferences.

Degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, fire protection engineering, explosion protection engineering or other relevant disciplines is required. MS or PhD preferred.

MS or PhD requires 1-2 years of relevant work experience. BS requires 3-4 years of relevant work experience.

Experience working in a laboratory and/or physical testing environment is required.

Excellent communication and technical writing skills are required.

Experience in modeling and simulation of fluid flows, fire flows, combustion and heat transfer is preferred.

Certified fire and explosion investigator (CFEI) certification and experience in fire forensics is preferred.

Skills in Python programming, machine learning techniques and workflow efficiency software tool development are preferred

Experience with analytical laboratory techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography is preferred

Ability to work independently but also has a team player mindset, giving priority to team goals and maintaining good team relationships.

What you’ll experience working for ULSUL Solutions has been pioneering change since 1894 and we’re still leading the way. From day one, we’ve blazed a trail protecting the planet and everyone on it. Our teams have influenced billions of products, plus services, software offerings and more. We break things, burn things and blow things up. All in the name of safety science.

That’s where you come in — because none of it could happen without you. It takes passion to protect people, problem-solving to safeguard personal data and conviction to make the world a more sustainable place. It takes bold ideas and brilliant minds to build a better world for future generations across the globe.

This is more than a job. It’s a calling. A passion to…