SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - Chemical Engineer - Fuels and Energy Development

Who We Are:

Fuels and Energy Development Section works in pilot plant services and process development of new first of their kind processes.

Objectives of this Role:

• Support and lead technical engineering projects for first of its kind technologies. Lead projects and program areas for new and existing clients.
• Conduct business development for existing and new areas. Focus on novel idea generation that can have impact in process engineering.
• Support overall chemical engineering department with emphasis on building new business/markets.
• Gain recognition from peers and clients for technical expertise in a certain specialty and may pursue a leadership role within a professional association.
• Use expertise and PhD focus to grow areas and provide support for projects throughout SwRI.
• Building a program area (develop external connections to build projects in a specific area), manage project teams to include preparing operating plans, training, etc.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Design processes or unit operations for chemical or refinery systems.
• Plan and conduct research and process development work in fuels and energy development areas. Expand particular area of expertise
• Support ongoing projects through pilot plant and lab scale projects, data compilation, mass and energy balances, operator training, procedure development, laboratory upkeep, maintenance, and safety review/document preparation.
• Opportunity to organize pilot plant and lab scale operations.
• Create process simulations using commercial software in addition to input/output, process flow and process instrumentation diagrams.
• Provide operating instructions and training to project staff.
• Conduct strategic business development activities. Provide technical supervision to other engineers, technicians, analyst, and pilot plant operators.
• Emphasis on proposal writing and publications.
• Communicate with vendors, clients, and operators to set up equipment and construct systems for new processes.
• Promote and secure new work as trained through mentorship and internal business development training.

Requirements:

• Requires a PhD in Chemical Engineering.
• Shift work required.
• 3+ years: Direct experience with chemical engineering process development work (developing Excel spreadsheets for chemical engineering calculations and data compilation) to include designing and conducting lab scale to pilot scale experiments.
• High attention to detail in calculations, design, and operations. Must be able to develop process flow diagrams, process and instrumentation diagrams, I/O diagrams, and process control strategies.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and interface with clients or potential clients as needed in the course of the project or proposal process. Must be able to conduct tasks in parallel. Experience with actual hands-on buildup of processes and test systems is helpful.
• Experience in any of the following areas: biofuels, hydrotreating, carbon capture, carbon utilization, plastics recycling, pyrolysis, delayed coking, distillation, electrolysis, clean hydrogen, biomass conversion. It is possible that the candidate will need a full-face respirator
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.