Process Development Engineer
Los Angeles
Engineering /
Full Time /
On-site
About Us
Ambercycle is a materials company founded in 2015 to create a circular supply chain for the apparel industry, making decarbonized raw materials across industry verticals. We're doing this by developing and deploying new technologies to increase the scope and scale of regenerated materials in the global apparel supply chain, and reduce the use of raw agricultural and petroleum resources. Our products avoid the use of new raw materials and go into the highest quality applications, exceeding the expectations of end customers with a fraction of the environmental footprint. Our success is the result of the talent, curiosity, and drive of our people. They bring solutions every day to realize our vision to improve humanity’s relationship with the material world. Visit www.ambercycle.com to learn more.
The Job
We’re looking for a Process Development Engineer who will play a critical role in the development of new process technologies and scale-up of new products, spanning R&D and commercial scales. You will work in collaboration with the R&D, Engineering, and Technology teams to refine existing processes, manage piloting and scale-up capabilities, and prove commercial viability of new products and processes. This will include building out piloting capabilities as well as leveraging external pilots and test facilities, and interfacing with R&D, supply chain, engineering, and product teams to ensure successful development and launch.
It will also include engagement with and oversight of equipment vendors, EPC firms, technicians, and consultants. You will be responsible for the technology development, equipment selection, and continual improvement of Ambercycle processes. You will be involved in every technical stage of the project lifecycle as you scale processes from laboratory to pilot scale and to commercial production.
Who You Might Be
You like working with your hands and really understanding how things work in real life. Overcoming all obstacles to turn whiteboard sketches into breakthrough commercial realities is second nature to you, and you value your ability to get to the heart of an issue and advance a project.
You love efficiency but have a practical outlook on how to get things done and move a project forward. You are respected for your ability to 'make it happen', and people rally around you to turn visions into realities. You have a mix of strategic, operational, analytical, and people skills. You are a clear, confident communicator who loves taking a complicated problem, deconstructing it, and finding + implementing solutions.
What You'll Do
- Lead concept and equipment design, process modeling and design, technology/equipment selection, and provide optimization and modeling support.
- Design and build R&D scale and pilot scale equipment and systems.
- Own process models using tools such as ASPEN and other simulation software.
- Develop flowsheets and conceptual engineering ab initio.
- Troubleshoot and improve processes from the lab/pilot scale to commercial scale.
- Collaborate closely with R&D, Engineering and Technology to identify and overcome process challenges and bottlenecks as well as implement new process designs and equipment.
- Link laboratory and pilot work with the development of commercial scale equipment and processes.
- Work with financial and business stakeholders to develop plant and process economic models.
- Lead process intensification exercises for streamlined process designs.
- Provide reports and track progress with internal and external teams.
- Travel to company locations and facilities for meetings, training, special projects and information gathering (domestic and international).
Qualifications
- B.S. in chemical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering or other relevant field required.
- 4+ years of experience taking technologies from concept to start-up in new product and process commercialization at large company and small start-up environments.
- Successful experience with process plant construction, piloting, and operations.
- Strong background in separations, solids handling and chemicals/polymers manufacturing unit operations.
- Ability to generate PFDs and P&IDs using a variety of tools.
- Experience working with equipment fabricators and engineering contractors on capital projects and process design, while ensuring executed design will deliver required functionality of full-scale commercial system.
- Track record of linking research and development activities with successful real-world implementation.
- Experience providing operational support and solving difficult chemical and polymer process problems.
- Ability to carefully and rapidly assess input from team, understand the plant phenomena based on data and correlations, and troubleshoot issues to provide quick resolutions.
- Proficient in process modeling (Aspen) and equipment sizing linking test work and pilot plant operation to real project implementation.
- Strong knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies to minimize downtime and continually improve processes.
- Experience with conceptual engineering from scratch, developing flowsheets, and process design.
- Ability to travel up to 50% percent internationally.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Flexible PTO
- 401(k)
- Free Healthy Snacks & Beverages
- Lunch Provided on Fridays
$100,000 - $170,000 a year
Position is full-time and fully onsite in Los Angeles, California 🌊 🌴
Ambercycle is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Ambercycle is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
