Terrion is an advanced carbon materials company developing the Carbonyx process — a patented method for converting U.S. Pennsylvania anthracite into synthetic graphite powder, synthetic graphite blocks, and graphene. Our mission is to reshore strategic carbon material production to the United States for defense, energy storage, and industrial applications. This position supports bench-scale R&D operations at our temporary lab facility at Propel Labs while our commercial production facility in Frederick, MD is prepared for operation.
Terrion is seeking a motivated undergraduate student in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, or a related field for a summer lab technician internship. This is a hands-on, physically active role supporting equipment installation, operation, and lab maintenance. The intern will work directly alongside our technical lead on processes including acid-leach chemistry, carbon thermal processing, and graphene extraction.
This is not a desk-based or data-analysis role. The successful candidate is comfortable in an active lab environment, follows written standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols precisely, and can operate reliably under an operational schedule.
• Operate and monitor low- to mid-temperature furnaces (600–1,200°C) per established protocols, under supervision
• Assist in operating high-temperature graphitization furnace (~2,600°C) under direct supervision of the CTO
• Operate slurry mixing tanks and pumps per established run procedures
• Assist with equipment setup, installation, and commissioning as directed
• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant lab environment
• Perform equipment cleaning, inspection, and general upkeep between runs
• Manage chemical storage and waste handling per OSHA and facility safety standards
• Restock consumables and maintain inventory and materials logs
• Assist with wet chemistry operations, including acid treatment and rinse cycles
• Support graphene separation steps including sonication and centrifuge operations
• Record process parameters, observations, and anomalies in lab notebooks with precision
• Follow all SOPs and immediately escalate deviations to the supervising CTO
• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field (rising sophomore through senior standing)
• Completion of at least one laboratory course with hands-on chemistry or materials work
• Ability to follow written procedures precisely and document results accurately
• Comfortable working with chemical hazards, elevated temperatures, and industrial lab equipment
• Physically capable of standing for extended periods and lifting up to 40 lbs
• Prior lab or manufacturing technician experience (academic or professional)
• Familiarity with furnace operations, mixing equipment, or chemical processing
• Basic understanding of carbon materials, graphite, or graphene
• Experience with formal lab notebooks or data recording in a regulated or research environment
This role involves work with chemical hazards and high-temperature equipment. The following are non-negotiable conditions of employment:
• Completion of Terrion safety orientation and site familiarization before any independent operation
• Adherence to all PPE requirements at all times: safety glasses, gloves, and lab coat at minimum; additional PPE required for high-temperature and acid operations
• No unsupervised operation of the high-temperature furnace (~2,600°C) under any circumstances
• Immediate reporting of all incidents, near-misses, and process deviations to the CTO
What You’ll Gain
• Direct exposure to an operating advanced materials R&D environment with proprietary carbon conversion technology
• Hands-on experience with high-temperature carbon processing and graphene extraction chemistry
• Practical experience with process documentation and lab operations in a regulated startup environment
• Work product and reference applicable to careers in defense materials, energy storage, and semiconductor sectors