Chemical Engineer - Process Intensification

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management. The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real world solutions that support the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security. We deliver new technologies that connect fundamental science to applications in areas such as energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage. We employ a systems perspective that includes discovery, technology development, and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization. The Advanced Energy Systems (AES) group at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking an experienced Chemical Engineer to support the creation and demonstration of innovative chemical processing solutions to problems of national significance in energy, global climate change, and national security. The AES group has a history of developing new process technologies, with specialized expertise in process intensification. These technology developments serve industrial clients, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Defense. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated abilities in process development, controls and operation. The ideal candidate is also well-organized, a self-starter, and has a high capacity for attention to detail, especially as it pertains to high-hazard systems.

Requirements

BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR-
MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant experience -OR-
PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience
The ideal candidate will be a well-organized, self-starter, with a high capacity for attention to detail. Verbal and written communication skills, as well as strong time management skills, are essential in order to balance activities among several concurrently operating projects.
Excellent technical writing skills and a track record of peer-reviewed journal publications.
Ability to contribute to the development of competitive research proposals to government and private clients.
Strong analytical and communications skills, both oral and written, and able to communicate clearly the goals, parameters, objectives and outcomes of their research.
U.S. Citizenship
Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
Already holds a U.S. security clearance.
Expertise with the design, construction and operation of chemical reaction and separation processes, preferably in an industrial setting.
Core experience with developing industrial control systems, preferably using Allen-Bradley CompactLogix and/or ControlLogix PLC-based infrastructure.
Experience working with a diverse set of government and/or industry teams on significantly complex and/or high-risk projects.

Responsibilities

Supports the design, construction, and testing activities for new chemical separation and conversion process technologies at bench and pilot scales. These responsibilities include safety and operation planning, control system development and implementation, and process troubleshooting & operation.
Ability to work independently, including planning and executing work scope and completing deliverables on time and within budget, with safety as a priority.
Proactive in the research community, stays knowledgeable of research advancements in science and industry, and maintain skills consistent with state of the art.
Prepare and present technical reports.
Delivers on assigned project tasks and meet project deliverables on time and within budget.

Benefits

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

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