Lead Cryogenic Process Engineer

Interlune•Houston, TX

1d•$150,000 - $250,000•Onsite

About The Position

Interlune is a space infrastructure and natural resources company based in Seattle, Washington, developing infrastructure for the space economy. The Lead Cryogenic Process Engineer will join the engineering team as a senior leader, lead the cryogenic distillation project, and work with engineers and scientists to develop isotopic separation systems for use on Earth and in space. The role is full-time at Interlune’s headquarters in Seattle, Washington, or its Research Lab in Houston, Texas. The company seeks an agile, adaptable team member willing to learn and take on multiple roles in an early-stage company. The role leads cryogenic distillation hardware development from concept through design, analysis, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing. It also includes managing and mentoring engineers, owning projects end to end, leading design reviews, developing plant process controls and manufacturing and test capabilities, analyzing gas mixtures with advanced instrumentation, and ensuring personnel safety while operating and testing high-pressure and cryogenic systems. Applicants must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum. Interlune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates who do not meet every requirement are encouraged to apply and describe how their experience may be a suitable substitute. Compensation is listed at a target Level 4 range of $150,000–$250,000. Actual level and base salary depend on experience and skill level. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and other benefits. The company offers flexible PTO and paid company holidays.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical subject area.
At least 8 years of experience designing and developing experiments, systems, and methods for separating and purifying gas mixtures, such as cryogenic distillation, chemical absorption-regeneration loops, or membrane separation.
Direct people- and project-management experience, including professional and technical mentorship of early-career and peer employees.
Familiarity with cryogenic engineering equipment, including vacuum chambers, joint design, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps, and compressors.
Hands-on experience setting up and managing laboratory facilities for cryogenic-fluid experiments, including implementing safety controls.
Practical experience writing successful government-funded research grant proposals.
Hands-on experience building hardware, including integrated hardware/software systems.
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, to comply with U.S. Government export regulations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related technical subject area.
Former Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on a government-funded research grant.
Familiarity with common manufacturing methods, including machining, welding, and use of hand and power tools.
Experience working on an in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) project extracting resources from regolith using chemical or thermal processes.
Knowledge of and practical experience with sample-analysis methods such as mass spectrometry, laser spectroscopy, particle size analysis, and gas chromatography.

Responsibilities

Lead development of a cryogenic distillation system, driving hardware from concept through design, analysis, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing.
Manage and mentor a team of engineers specializing in chemical processing and materials science.
Take end-to-end ownership and management of projects, leading the build, testing, and implementation of designed hardware.
Lead design reviews as system and subsystem designs are established and refined.
Use advanced instrumentation to identify and analyze the composition of gas mixtures.
Develop robust plant process control schemes.
Design and develop manufacturing and test capabilities supporting areas of responsibility.
Ensure rigorous personnel safety protocols when operating and testing high-pressure and cryogenic systems.