Summer Internship OR Semester Co-Op 

Status: Non-Exempt (hourly) 

Department: Fuel cell R&D, Rochester NY  

Position Summary 

Plug Power Inc. is actively seeking a highly motivated student to join our team. The student will be responsible for assisting the PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell research and development in a wide variety of initiatives and projects in support of your academic studies and interests. In this role, you will gain exposure to a fast-paced manufacturing and engineering environment which includes developing a detailed understanding of Plug Power’s products. The role will focus on research and development of new proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell membrane electrode assembly (MEA). 

Learning Objectives  

Understand the fuel cell industry, its trends and challenges 

Gain experience on fuel cell and electrochemical research and development  

Develop problem solving skills in an industrial approach  

Professional development – teamwork, time management, networking, etc.   

Core Duties and Responsibilities 

Assist to benchmark the novel MEA performance and reliability  

Support fuel cell MEA fabrication, testing and diagnostics at both the single-cell and stack levels  

Assist the MEA Material Development Team on qualification of new MEA designs and components 

Assist to prepare progress, status and forecast reports on multiple key aspects of the assigned area of responsibility 

Flexibility and the ability to meet strict requirements to tight schedules 

Work professionally and cooperatively in a cross-functional team environment with a focus upon maximizing novel MEA performance and customer satisfaction 

Represent Plug Power in a professional manner in all interactions; support the philosophy of the organization to provide high-performing technology to maximize customer satisfaction 

Perform all other duties as assigned 

Education and Qualification 

Pursuing a Bachelor of Science, Master's or PhD degree in Electrochemistry, Chemistry, Material Science, Engineering or other STEM field of study required. 

Proficiency in the use of MS Excel and Word is required 

Chemical or mechanical lab experience is a plus 

Experience on data acquisition, processing, and automation is a plus  

Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

Possess solid hands-on approach to problem-solving 

Demonstrated analytical abilities with strong attention to detail 

Excellent follow-through   

Must work effectively within the team to meet objectives under time constraints 

Must be driven and self-motivated  

Estimated Base Salary Range: