Chemical Process Engineer-Evaporation

Ascend Elements - Westborough, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Westborough, MA

About the position

The Chemical Process Engineer-Evaporation at Ascend Elements will lead front-end engineering projects focused on converting spent electric vehicle batteries and manufacturing plant waste into high-quality battery anode and cathode powders. This role is crucial in supporting the company's mission to revolutionize lithium-ion battery materials production through sustainable practices and innovative technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual studies for chemical process design.
• Create equipment technical specifications for manufacturing processes.
• Qualify and select manufacturing vendors for equipment.
• Review and approve equipment design and build.
• Attend Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and support installation.
• Lead commissioning and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT).
• Support process optimization for battery material production.
• Develop process flow diagrams, equipment lists, layouts, and P&IDs.
• Collaborate with R&D to scale new products and processes to pilot and production levels.
• Support production plant's technical staff to meet metrics with robust processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or applicable engineering field; advanced degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of process engineering experience in chemical or advanced materials technologies, including 3+ years of field experience.
• Direct experience in battery materials synthesis, chemical precipitation reactions, filtration, or evaporation.
• Knowledge and hands-on experience using APQP tools including FMEA, SPC, and design and process validation.
• Experience with Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Familiarity with the capital equipment acquisition process including technical specification generation and supplier assessment.
• Hands-on experience during commissioning processes.
• Effective project management skills for projects exceeding $1M.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, SYSCAD, OLI, and ASPEN.
• Ability to drive data-based decisions with technical knowledge.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity employer with consideration for all qualified applicants.