Managing Reaction Engineer

Ammobia•San Francisco, CA

21d•Onsite

About The Position

About Ammobia Ammobia is on a mission to revolutionize the ammonia industry. We are a seed-stage startup developing Haber Bosch 2.0 – a next-generation ammonia synthesis process enabling cost-effective, clean ammonia production. Clean ammonia will support ammonia’s growing role in our decarbonized world, tackling some of the most difficult to abate sectors including chemicals, fertilizers, and heavy-duty transportation. We are supported by leading climate tech organizations including Starlight Ventures, the Department of Energy, Collaborative Fund, Third Derivative, and more. Job Description Ammobia is seeking a versatile and experienced reaction engineering lead to design, develop, and optimize our core technology unit operations You will be responsible for the design and development of catalytic reaction and gas adsorption processes, including reactor design, process design, active material (catalyst + sorbent) design, and scale-up. You will be a leader in Ammobia’s R&D team and work with the full technical team of chemical, process, materials, and equipment engineers. Who you are You are a hands on technical leader with deep industrial expertise developing novel reaction and sorption processes, including depth of knowledge across chemical engineering and materials science. You are a creative, data driven problem solver who works from first principles. You enjoy fast paced, creative, and collaborative work; you work with a bias towards action and overcommunication; and you thrive with high levels of autonomy and ownership. There is significant opportunity to grow your role alongside the company.

Requirements

Demonstrated expertise in developing and scaling new technologies from the lab to pilot
Deep quantitative understanding of thermodynamics, kinetics, and heat/mass transport
Deep expertise in heterogeneous catalysis and reaction engineering
Working knowledge of porous materials as relevant to heterogeneous catalysis and gas sorption
Demonstrated experience transferring R&D designs and learnings to pilot and commercial scales
Prior experience and expertise developing and owning test plans and data outputs from lab-to-bench scale development programs
Hands on experience specifying, designing, and building custom research and pilot scale chemical equipment, including automation and control
Experience working with technicians and operators to execute test plans
Demonstrated expertise in data analysis of time series processes in Python and/or MATLAB
Expertise in chemical reactor modeling
5+ years' experience in relevant industrial setting
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated experience managing small teams
PhD in Chemical Engineering, or equivalent experience

Nice To Haves

Prior startup experience and excitement about working at an early-stage start-up
Demonstrated experience in formed catalyst design and scale up
Industrial experience designing TSA/PSA gas separation systems
Expertise in gas sorption and sorbent materials
Demonstrated experience working with vendors and engineering firms to design, deliver processes, equipment, and materials

Responsibilities

Own and drive technical understanding of Ammobia's reactor systems
Develop, specify, and drive progress towards performance KPIs for reactor and material systems
Conduct and manage bench to pilot scale tests on advanced reactor systems and materials characterization systems
Develop analytical and computational models of gas-solid reaction processes
Design and optimize active catalysts, gas sorbents, and formed composite materials
Design, modify, and maintain custom bench and pilot scale reactor systems
Manage a small team (1-5) of scientists, engineers, technicians
Transfer R&D learnings and achievements to pilot and plant process teams
Analyze and report data to executive team and investors
Develop intellectual property across materials, process, and reactor development