Chemical Engineer

Leidos•Wharton, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Leidos is seeking a Chemical Engineer to support the evaluation of novel and legacy energetic materials and formulations at its Picatinny, NJ location. This role involves the setup, operation, and optimization of continuous flow processes, including synthesis reactors, crystallizers, and separators. The engineer will also perform product isolation and characterization using analytical tools such as NMR, IR, Raman, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The position requires analyzing data for the U.S. Army, executing research protocols, interacting with external stakeholders, and maintaining/calibrating processing equipment. Responsibilities include creating and evaluating Design of Experiments (DOEs) for process optimization, supporting new equipment acquisition, establishing standard operating procedures, performing data analysis, maintaining accurate records, and assisting with technical reporting and presentations. Compliance with health, safety, and laboratory guidelines is essential.

Requirements

Completed a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related fields.
Foundational and theoretical understanding of general scientific principles.
Well organized and self-motivated.
Strong competencies with Excel and other Microsoft office tools.
Hands-on experience with laboratory experimental procedures.
Experience with mass balances, chemical reactor design and selection, and DOEs.
Effective written and verbal communication.
Ability to work in a team-based environment.
US citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with other analytical methodologies, such as GC-MS and HPLC/UPLC.
Familiarity with crystallization processes.
Knowledge of reaction calorimetry and reaction characterization/quantification.
Experience with modeling software (i.e. Dynochem™, Aspen™) and its application to finding optimal parameters for chemical reactions and recrystallization.

Responsibilities

Setup, operation, and optimization of continuous flow processes, such as continuous flow synthesis reactors, continuous crystallizers, continuous separators, and other continuous flow equipment.
Perform product isolation and characterization work, such as filtration and operation of analytical tools including but not limited to NMR, IR, Raman and UV/Vis spectroscopy.
Analyze data on the synthesis of molecules of interest to the U.S. Army, and execute research protocols in support of research, development, and production objectives.
Interact with outside customers, vendors, and researchers to support contracted and subcontracted projects.
Test, evaluate, troubleshoot, repair, maintain, install, and calibrate equipment for continuous processing.
Create, evaluate and analyze DOEs for the optimization of continuous processes.
Support acquisition of new equipment through market research, purchase, and installation.
Establish standard operating procedures for the safe and effective operation of material testing.
Collect, organize, and perform data analysis, and verify/correct data entry.
Maintain clear and accurate logbooks, generate material balances; collect and record detailed observations about experiments.
Assist with preparation of technical reports, summaries, posters, data presentation, and protocols.
Present work being conducted at program reviews, conferences and other venues.
Maintain compliance with established laboratory health and safety guidelines, as well as established methods/procedures.