Chemical Engineer Technical Expert (Biofuels) - Remote

ICF•Boston, MA

1d•$119,323 - $202,850•Remote

About The Position

Do you enjoy working in new technology development? How about enabling project developers, financial institutions, and owners/investors to bring new projects online that support the future of energy around the globe? At ICF, we're committed to driving sustainable energy innovation and facilitating a cleaner future. If you're a driven professional looking to make a tangible impact, join our team and contribute to shaping the renewable energy landscape. As a Chemical Engineer Technical Expert (Biofuels) at ICF, you will: Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the primary subject matter expert in biochemical processes, providing valuable insights into cutting-edge advancements and industry best practices. Manage Projects: While being a SME would be your primary role, our SMEs are also asked to manage the cost, scope, and schedule of one or more projects. In this role, they are the primary contact for our clients on a project and are responsible for the delivery of the work product and managing the report through our QA/QC process. Process Design Review: Leverage your process technology background to evaluate designs of oil and gas, biofuel, renewable chemical, and hydrogen production systems. Ensure their capability to meet product specifications within project financial parameters. Scoping and Feasibility Studies: Lead scoping and feasibility studies, author design basis, equipment lists, layout drawings, and deliver other essential services in FEL-1 and FEL-2 packages. Cost Analysis: Review and refine capital and operating cost assessments, contributing original Class 4 and 5 cost estimates through a combination of vendor quotes, public resources, and precise spreadsheet calculations. Due Diligence and Reporting: Draft technology sections for due diligence reports used in project financing, showcasing your technical expertise. On-Site Monitoring: Travel to project sites to oversee pilot or demonstration facilities, monitor construction progress, and conduct performance tests for emerging commercial facilities. Lead in renewable fuel technologies: Be a primary resource at ICF for alcohol to jet, renewable diesel, ethanol, and other renewable fuel technologies. Speak to potential process risks and costs for oligomerization processes, hydrotreating, fermentation, and other technology pathways. Lead in hydrogen production technology assessment: Be a primary engineering resource in projects which produce hydrogen through an SMR, thermally, or using electrolysis. Lead in Renewable Natural Gas Technologies: Be a primary resource at ICF for renewable natural gas technologies, encompassing landfill gas gathering systems, anaerobic digesters, and gas clean-up systems. Project Leadership: Manage independent engineering or owner’s advisory projects, collaborating with clients, organizing ICF teams, and overseeing project finances and reporting. Business Development: Participate in business development meetings, contributing to proposal writing and engaging with potential clients. Client Relations: Develop and maintain strong client relationships within the developer, financial institution, and technology provider communities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in chemical/mechanical engineering or a related field with a focus on renewable and conventional fuels.
15+ years of experience in a technical role.
Experience with the design and construction of biofuel/biochemical project.
Experience in start-ups and other low TRL process technologies.
Experience managing projects and an fundamental understanding of cost, scope, and schedule management with clients.
Understanding of the interplay between process performance, operating costs, and project financial viability.
Experience in process design, product standards, equipment selection, and process energy efficiency methods.
Experience communicating technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
US Citizenship due to government contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineering license.
Prior experience at a refinery and petrochemical facility
Prior experience at an EPC contractor or detailed engineering firm
Prior experience working on FEL-1, FEL-2, and FEL-3 projects
Experience with remote work environments or organizations.
Background in technical due diligence for project financing.
Familiarity with Carbon Intensity calculations and methodologies (e.g., Cal-GREET, ANL-GREET, Open LCA).
Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment systems.
Familiarity with thermochemical systems like pyrolysis, hydrotreating, and gasification.
Eagerness to learn about emerging technologies, validate conceptual designs, and assess feasibility.
A desire to aid in business development, meet new clients, and find new opportunities.
A willingness to participate on projects which have technologies that are unfamiliar to you.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary subject matter expert in biochemical processes, providing valuable insights into cutting-edge advancements and industry best practices.
Manage the cost, scope, and schedule of one or more projects.
Evaluate designs of oil and gas, biofuel, renewable chemical, and hydrogen production systems.
Lead scoping and feasibility studies, author design basis, equipment lists, layout drawings, and deliver other essential services in FEL-1 and FEL-2 packages.
Review and refine capital and operating cost assessments, contributing original Class 4 and 5 cost estimates through a combination of vendor quotes, public resources, and precise spreadsheet calculations.
Draft technology sections for due diligence reports used in project financing, showcasing your technical expertise.
Travel to project sites to oversee pilot or demonstration facilities, monitor construction progress, and conduct performance tests for emerging commercial facilities.
Be a primary resource at ICF for alcohol to jet, renewable diesel, ethanol, and other renewable fuel technologies.
Be a primary engineering resource in projects which produce hydrogen through an SMR, thermally, or using electrolysis.
Be a primary resource at ICF for renewable natural gas technologies, encompassing landfill gas gathering systems, anaerobic digesters, and gas clean-up systems.
Manage independent engineering or owner’s advisory projects, collaborating with clients, organizing ICF teams, and overseeing project finances and reporting.
Participate in business development meetings, contributing to proposal writing and engaging with potential clients.
Develop and maintain strong client relationships within the developer, financial institution, and technology provider communities.