Process Design Engineer - Swing Reactor System

San Francisco, California
Technology /
On-site
About Ammobia

Ammobia is on a mission to revolutionize the ammonia industry. We are a seed-stage startup developing Haber Bosch 2.0 – a next-generation ammonia synthesis process enabling cost-effective and clean ammonia production. Our proprietary swing reactor system runs at 10x lower pressures and 4x higher conversions than the state of the art, enabling economical production at any plant scale or energy source.
 
Clean ammonia will support ammonia’s growing role in our decarbonized world, tackling some of the most difficult to abate sectors including chemicals, fertilizers, and heavy-duty transportation. We are supported and recognized by leading climate tech organizations including Starlight Ventures, the US Department of Energy, Collaborative Fund, Third Derivative, Forbes 30u30, and more.

Job Description


Ammobia is seeking a motivated and creative Process Design Engineer to design and implement the process system around our proprietary swing reactor. You will play a key role in designing Ammobia's proprietary reactor system and integrating it into the larger ammonia plant across a range of plant configurations.

You are an experienced and creative process engineer looking for a high impact role in an early-stage startup. You value teamwork, data-based decisions, and rapid iteration.
 
Successful applicants will have most of the following

Job Description

    • Design, simulate, and implement process and controls schemes for our swing reactor system
    • Develop and perform complex dynamic simulations of the reactor system, including the reactor, separations systems, and auxiliary equipment
    • Convert dynamic system models into steady state interpretations for broader process modeling
    • Build PFDs, P&IDs, and controls narratives for engineering design and fabrication
    • Work closely with our reaction engineering team and other process engineers to design an integrated and optimized system
    • Develop and implement techno-economic models for reactor system costs, identifying and deciding cost-performance tradeoffs

Qualifications

    • 5+ years’ experience in a relevant industrial setting
    • PhD or equivalent experience
    • Experience building dynamic process models and modeling dynamic unit operations
    • Experience designing control systems and narratives for dynamic chemical operations
    • Deep knowledge of mechanical systems (fixed and rotating) for dynamic plant operations, eg, valves, compressors, etc
    • Demonstrated experience linking simulation models to experimental and plant data
    • Expertise in plant process design, for example in energy, O&G, chemicals
    • Advanced knowledge of flowsheeting and custom modeling software, eg, Aspen, gPROMS, etc
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
    • Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work both independently and collaboratively
    • Propensity towards teamwork and collaboration
    • Located or willing to relocate to SF

Nice-to-have

    • Experience with cyclic reaction or separation processes, eg, TSA, PSA, similar
    • Experience modeling reactors, especially gas phase catalytic reactors
    • Experience building system optimization models for variable renewable energy driven processes
    • Experience generating capital cost estimates through Aspen capital cost or public cost data
    • Experience generating class 4-5 cost estimates through fabricator/EPC outreach
    • Experience with buidling system optimization models for variable renewable energy driven processes
    • Experience in ammonia synthesis, cracking, or separations
    • Experience in a startup
    • Experience at  chemical engineering firm, technology licensor, or similar
$100,000 - $200,000 a year
Benefits include:
Competitive equity grants
Healthcare, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k
Gym benefit
Regular team social events
Paid time off, including closure between Christmas and New Years
Who we are

We are a small and passionate team of scientists and engineers. We value teamwork, accountability, open communication, and rapid iteration. We emphasize career growth, mutual feedback, and a fun and exciting working environment. Check out ammobia.co/careers for our full values statement and ammobia.co/team to learn more about us.

The position is full-time and in-person in San Francisco, CA. Compensation and job title will be commensurate with experience.