Process Engineer II - III

Oxylus Energy•Branford, CT

5d•$90,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

Oxylus Energy is hiring a Process Engineer at the Engineer II or Engineer III level to own the balance of plant for its CO₂ electrolyzer systems and lead integration of its electrolyzer technology with downstream thermal heterogeneous catalysis. The role designs processes for supplying, conditioning, separating, compressing, and converting gases around the electrolyzer stack, including conversion of CO-rich product streams into feedstocks for processes such as Fischer–Tropsch or methanol synthesis. This is a hands-on position involving process design and modeling as well as building, commissioning, and operating high-pressure reactor systems and pilot equipment in the lab. The engineer will collaborate with electrochemists, materials scientists, mechanical and controls engineers, and leadership to advance the integrated process from the lab toward pilot scale. Safe design and operation are central because the systems handle pressurized and hazardous gases, including CO and H₂. The position is on-site in Branford, Connecticut, and requires willingness to relocate to the Bridgeport/Stamford area within one year of the start date. At Engineer III level, the role also sets process architecture for integrated systems, leads pilot-scale design efforts, and mentors other engineers.

Requirements

Degree in chemical engineering or a related field, with experience appropriate to level: Engineer II requires a B.S. with 2–4 years or an M.S. with 1–2 years of relevant experience; Engineer III requires a B.S. with 4–6 years, an M.S. with 2–4 years, or a Ph.D. with 0–2 years of relevant experience.
Hands-on experience designing, building, or operating high-pressure reactor systems.
Experience with heterogeneous catalysis, including catalyst testing and performance evaluation.
Solid grounding in reactor design, kinetics, and mass and energy balances.
Experience specifying, operating, or troubleshooting pumps and compressors.
Ability to create and review PFDs and P&IDs.
Strong commitment to safety, especially around pressurized systems and flammable or toxic gases.
High attention to detail, with strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
Good written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with syngas conversion, such as Fischer–Tropsch or methanol synthesis.
Experience with process simulation tools such as Aspen Plus or Aspen HYSYS.
Experience with gas separation technologies, such as pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or membrane separation.
Familiarity with pressure equipment codes such as ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII and ASME B31.3.
Experience scaling processes from lab to pilot plant.
Familiarity with electrolyzers or other electrochemical systems.

Responsibilities

Own the design and specification of the balance of plant, including CO₂ supply and conditioning, gas separation and purification, compression, water management, heat exchange, and product handling.
Lead integration of the electrolyzer with downstream thermal heterogeneous catalytic processes, matching stream composition, pressure, temperature, and flow between unit operations.
Design, build, and operate high-pressure catalytic reactor systems and evaluate catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability.
Develop reactor designs and process models using mass and energy balances, kinetics, and heat-transfer analysis to size equipment and set operating conditions.
Select and specify pumps, compressors, heat exchangers, separators, valves, and other process equipment, and work with vendors on quotes and delivery.
Create and maintain process flow diagrams (PFDs), P&IDs, and equipment datasheets.
Lead or contribute to process hazard analyses, such as HAZOP, for high-pressure and hazardous-gas systems, ensuring designs follow applicable codes and standards.
Commission and troubleshoot integrated systems, analyze process data, and use results to improve performance and reliability.
Support techno-economic analysis and scale-up planning by providing process design inputs and performance data.
At Engineer III level, set process architecture for integrated systems, lead pilot-scale design efforts, and mentor other engineers.