Staff Chemical Process Design Engineer

$160,000 - $190,000/Yr

Mitra Chem - Moffett Field, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Moffett Field, CA

About the position

Mitra Chem is seeking a Staff Chemical Process Design Engineer to design, scale-up, and build a commercial cathode manufacturing facility. This role is pivotal in enabling the energy transition by accelerating the mass production of iron-based cathode materials for the electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage systems (ESS) markets. The engineer will make key decisions regarding plant design and process solutions, working at the intersection of chemical engineering and material science to drive product commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Design one-of-a-kind chemical manufacturing processes for Lithium-ion battery cathodes
• Develop technical roadmaps for iron-rich cathode synthesis at commercial scale
• Conduct mass/energy balance of cathode making process using internal lab/pilot results to design and optimize iron-based cathode manufacturing processes at scale
• Select, size and customize cathode manufacturing equipment for mass production and lead equipment FAT (Factory Acceptance Test)
• Manage EPC firms to generate plant design engineering documents, e.g., heat and mass balance, utility balance, plant layout, and optimize CAPEX and OPEX
• Prepare PFD, P&ID, and HAZOP reviews for FEED
• Lead design of plant control systems for iron-based cathode manufacturing
• Lead process equipment commissioning at pilot and mass production scale
• Lead project management of manufacturing facility construction at pilot and mass production scale
• Scope and implement production line improvements
• Feedback manufacturing data to R&D to inform experimental design

Requirements

• BS/MS in Chemical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering
• 5+ years' design and/or construction experience in setting up a new manufacturing facility with EPC firms
• 2+ years' manufacturing equipment selection, FAT, commissioning and troubleshooting experience
• Experience with process design tools such as Aspen HYSIS, ChemCAD, and COMSOL Multiphysics

Nice-to-haves

• 5+ years' scale-up experience of pilot operation in chemical, ceramic, pharmaceutical, and food industry
• 2+ years' experience in process control design/hardware selection and electrical basics
• 2+ years' experience with lithium-ion battery cathode synthesis
• Experience in manufacturing with an emphasis on powder handling, calcination (furnaces), milling, and drying
• Experience establishing manufacturing procedures supervising manufacturing operations
• Experience managing process engineering
• Experience in manufacturing specialty chemicals
• Experience managing quality with FMEA, Six Sigma, TQM, Kaizen, and/or Lean Manufacturing
• Certification as a Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer in Training (EIT)

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including company equity
• Comprehensive benefits including health, vision and dental insurance
• Tax-free spending accounts, along with life and disability insurances
• 401k matching and savings programs
• Flexible time off with company holidays
• Free daily lunch and snacks