Chemical Process Development Engineer

What we do- Aspen•East Providence, RI

36d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chemical Process Development Engineer will report to the Technical Manager of Process Development and play a key role in advancing aerogel manufacturing technologies. This position is responsible for supporting strategic and technical process design, development, and optimization to aid both R&D and manufacturing operations. The Engineer will support the development of next-generation aerogel production methods and process technologies, while also contributing to the scale-up and optimization of existing and new products. This role demands expertise in chemical engineering fundamentals, process modeling, and cross-functional collaboration to drive improvements in efficiency, safety, and product quality.

Requirements

2-5 years’ experience required in chemical process fundamentals and/or process design and development.
Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering.
Knowledge of chemical process development, preferably with a focus on silica synthesis and modification.
Alternatively, a board knowledge of material engineering.
Knowledge of pilot and manufacturing operations, and the process of transitioning new products/processes from lab to pilot and full commercial manufacturing.
Hands on experience with analytical method development.
Experience with research and analytic techniques.
Ability to apply statistical analysis and/or practical experience to make sound conclusions and use to optimize process development activities.
Ability and willingness to lead and do work.
Innate intellectual curiosity.
Predisposed to leverage analytic reason, creativity, and judgment.
Well-developed influencing skills – ability to inspire confidence and drive consensus.
Ability to handle complex matters across multiple initiatives.
Intellectual agility to deal effectively with strategic issues and operational details.
Ability to effectively influence and motivate external and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Support technically transformational process changes in manufacturing and partnering with R&D to identify, develop, and execute next generation manufacturing of aerogel composites.
Partner with R&D and Plant Engineering to identify, develop and execute new product and process improvements in the areas of safety, production capacity, yield and cost reduction.
Partner with R&D to interpret product design requirements to determine feasibility, process steps required, and cost to manufacture.
Support the successful introduction of new products and processes via the trial manufacturing process.
Lead and/or execute the experimental work required to support scale up activities and develop a robust commercial scale aerogel manufacturing process from small-scale laboratory data.
Build upon lab and trial generated learnings to establish and implement full scale standards, documentation, and procedures for all new and existing products to ensure manufacturing capabilities; includes updating and/or generating work instructions, standard operating procedures, and process flow diagrams (PFD).
Analyze process and quality data to improve and/or troubleshoot the aerogel manufacturing process; determine root cause of failure modes to develop corrective actions.
Develop project goals and priorities with the technical manager in collaboration with Manufacturing, Plant Engineering, Quality, and EHS&S.
Support project teams through developmental phases of engineering projects related to process equipment including conceptual design of both process and equipment.
Assist in design requirements managed through the management of change process; includes design, equipment procurement, construction, installation, start up, commissioning, validation, and qualification of facilities and/or equipment.
Document User Requirement Specifications and qualification plans for new processes and/or equipment related to the manufacturing of aerogel and/or supporting processes, i.e. reclamation equipment/processes
Adopt and follow Aspen’s core values of Safety, Quality, Integrity, Teamwork, Customer and Innovation on both a personal and professional level.
Adopt and follow Aspen’s core values of problem solving, driving forward, doing the right thing, and being an ally on both a personal and professional level.