Phaidra

Research Engineer (Physics Simulation)

Remote

Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
YesVisa
Industrial Automation, Artificial Intelligence, AI & Machine LearningIndustries

Research Engineer - Physics Simulators

About Phaidra

Phaidra is building the future of industrial automation. The world today is filled with static, monolithic infrastructure. Factories, power plants, buildings, etc. operate the same they've operated for decades — because the controls programming is hard-coded. Thousands of lines of rules and heuristics that define how the machines interact with each other. The result of all this hard-coding is that facilities are frozen in time, unable to adapt to their environment while their performance slowly degrades.

Phaidra creates AI-powered control systems for the industrial sector, enabling industrial facilities to automatically learn and improve over time. Specifically:

  • We use reinforcement learning algorithms to provide this intelligence, converting raw sensor data into high-value actions and decisions.
  • We focus on industrial applications, which tend to be well-sensorized with measurable KPIs — perfect for reinforcement learning.
  • We enable domain experts (our users) to configure the AI control systems (i.e. agents) without writing code. They define what they want their AI agents to do, and we do it for them.

Our team has a track record of applying AI to some of the toughest problems. From achieving superhuman performance with DeepMind's AlphaGo, to reducing the energy required to cool Google's Data Centers by 40%, we deeply understand AI and how to apply it in production for massive impact.

Phaidra’s ability to achieve its mission is determined by our ability to work together — as defined by our core values: Transparency, Collaboration, Operational Excellence, Ownership, and Empathy. We seek individuals who embody these values, as they are instrumental in ensuring our team consistently delivers excellence and fosters an engaging and supportive culture.

Phaidra is based in the USA, but we are 100% remote with no physical office. We hire employees internationally with the help of our partner, OysterHR. Our team is currently located throughout the USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, and India.

Who You Are

Phaidra is looking for a curious and pragmatic Research Engineer with a passion for physics and a knack for writing robust code. You will work within our research team to develop advanced physics-based simulators, with a particular focus on thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. These simulators are key to enabling intelligent control systems that optimize performance in industrial environments.

You thrive at the intersection of science and engineering—able to translate complex physical systems into computational models and build tools that power cutting-edge AI systems.

We are seeking a team member located within one of the following areas: UK (preferred), USA, or Canada.

United States Locations Accepted: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington.

Canada Locations Accepted: Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Responsibilities

As a Research Engineer working on Physics Simulators, you will:

  • Design and implement physics-based simulation models for thermodynamic and fluid systems.
  • Translate governing equations and first-principles models into performant numerical code.
  • Collaborate with AI researchers to integrate simulators with reinforcement learning agents and optimization pipelines.
  • Validate simulators against real-world data and iterate to improve fidelity and stability.
  • Be a power user and contributor to Phaidra’s simulation and AI platform, enabling scalable, reusable experimentation.
  • Document and communicate technical ideas clearly across teams.

Key Qualifications

  • 1+ years of experience in research or applied engineering.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

Skills

Physics Simulation
AI
Reinforcement Learning
Deep Learning
Python
C++
Machine Learning
Data Analysis
Software Development
Industrial Automation
Control Systems

Phaidra

AI virtual plant operators for industrial efficiency

About Phaidra

Phaidra deploys artificial intelligence virtual plant operators to support operations teams in critical facilities. Their AI-powered control systems are designed to enhance stability, energy efficiency, and sustainability by learning and adapting over time. Unlike traditional static control systems that cannot adjust dynamically, Phaidra's technology continuously improves performance, addressing issues of degradation and lack of resiliency in industrial settings. The company has achieved notable success, such as delivering 40% energy savings at Google's data centers, and is expanding its solutions to various sectors, including pharmaceutical production and data centers. Phaidra's goal is to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability for its clients, generating revenue through the implementation and maintenance of its AI-driven systems.

Seattle, WashingtonHeadquarters
2019Year Founded
$41.3MTotal Funding
EARLY_VCCompany Stage
Industrial & Manufacturing, Energy, AI & Machine LearningIndustries
51-200Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Parental Leave
Home Office Stipend
Company Equity

Risks

Increased competition from AI-driven industrial solutions providers could impact Phaidra's market share.
Rapid AI advancements may require Phaidra to continuously innovate, straining resources.
Potential data privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny could challenge Phaidra's operations.

Differentiation

Phaidra offers AI solutions for mission-critical facilities, enhancing stability and efficiency.
The company combines AI expertise from Google-Deepmind with industry knowledge from Trane and Johnson Controls.
Phaidra's AI systems adapt and improve over time, unlike static, hard-coded control systems.

Upsides

Phaidra achieved 40% energy savings at Google's data centers, showcasing its effectiveness.
The rise of edge computing complements Phaidra's solutions for real-time analytics and efficiency.
Growing interest in AI-driven predictive maintenance aligns with Phaidra's focus on stability.

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