Distillation Process Engineer

Kunin Technologies•Chattanooga, TN

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Kunin Technologies is developing and delivering a group 14 metal chlorination plant for an industrial partner. The plant will convert metal-bearing feeds into an electronic-grade metal product through chlorination, purification, and hydrolysis, with Kunin’s proprietary ion-exchange media recovering metal from dilute process liquors. The partner will build and operate the plant; Kunin owns the process, design package, performance guarantee, and operator training. The Distillation Process Engineer owns the purification train, taking crude metal chloride to electronic-grade product with each metal impurity at or below 10 parts per billion. Starting in December 2026, the engineer will run bench distillation studies on a packed laboratory column, map impurity deportment, and produce samples for partner qualification trials. Starting in March 2027, the engineer will design, build, and operate a continuous mini-pilot, then use its data to establish commercial column design, cut points, and the plant performance test protocol. In 2028, the engineer will lead commissioning of the distillation train at the partner’s site. The role collaborates with the Lead Organic Chemist, Senior Process Engineer, and Analytical Chemist. It is a founding role on Kunin’s Capital Projects team, with an expectation of delivering design and project work across two to three projects in parallel after the first plant reaches its milestones. Key dated deliverables include three electronic-grade metal chloride samples by February 12, 2027; the distillation design basis and test protocol by May 7, 2027; and a distillation train at the partner’s site passing its 30-day performance test by March 17, 2028. The position is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with travel to the partner’s site for commissioning and onsite work in late 2027. Extended hours and weekends are frequently required for critical milestones. U.S. citizenship is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or chemistry.
At least 5 years of experience operating or designing fractional distillation of volatile halides or electronic specialty gases, such as chlorosilanes, group 14 metal chlorides, TiCl4, BCl3, or semiconductor-grade precursors.
Experience working to ppb-level purity targets.
Experience designing or rating a packed or trayed column against measured vapor-liquid data and then operating it.
Comfort with Aspen Plus or an equivalent tool.
Hands-on experience with glass, PFA, and lined equipment in HCl and chlorine service.
Ability to safely handle moisture-sensitive, hydrolysable chlorides under nitrogen.
Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding atmosphere.
Creative problem-solving ability combining distillation theory, impurity chemistry, and plant practice to reach electronic grade in as few passes as possible.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Ability to travel to the partner’s site for commissioning and work onsite in late 2027.
Availability for frequently required extended hours and weekends to support critical project milestones.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or PhD with a focus on distillation or separations.

Responsibilities

Run the bench fractional distillation program, including cut design, reflux studies, impurity deportment, and heads/tails recycle on a packed laboratory column.
Design, build, and operate the continuous chlorination and distillation mini-pilot, including HCl recovery, product polishing, and the fill station.
Design commercial-plant columns and condensers, including theoretical stages, packing, reflux, energy, materials, and vendor specifications.
Develop the plant-guarantee performance test protocol, including test duration, sampling, acceptance criteria, and deviation rules.
Lead commissioning of the distillation train at the partner’s site, including start-up, total reflux, first heart cut, ramp-up to nameplate, and the performance test.
Deliver three electronic-grade metal chloride samples by February 12, 2027; complete the distillation design basis and test protocol by May 7, 2027; and support the distillation train passing its 30-day performance test by March 17, 2028.
Coordinate with the Lead Organic Chemist, Senior Process Engineer, and Analytical Chemist.
Execute design and delivery work on two to three projects in parallel after the first plant reaches its gates.