Senior Process Engineer

Kunin Technologies•Chattanooga, TN

About The Position

Kunin Technologies is hiring a Senior Process Engineer to convert bench- and mini-pilot-scale results into a group 14 metal chlorination plant designed for an industrial partner. The process will convert metal-bearing feeds through chlorination, purification, and hydrolysis into electronic-grade metal products, with Kunin's proprietary ion-exchange media recovering metal from dilute process liquors. The partner will build and operate the plant, while Kunin owns the process, design package, performance guarantee, and operator training. During the first six months, the engineer will scale data from two process development programs into design bases and own the basic engineering package under the VP of Engineering. The work includes process flow diagrams, heat and material balances, equipment datasheets, materials-of-construction selection for HCl, chlorine, and metal chloride service, control philosophy, HAZOP preparation, and utility and effluent summaries. The engineer will also review contractor engineering against process intent, assess vendor bids, witness factory acceptance tests, and support commissioning and performance testing on site. The engineer will collaborate with process engineering and chemistry colleagues in Chattanooga and the VP of Capital Projects on schedule and cost. This is a founding role on Kunin's Capital Projects team, with an expectation of executing design and delivery work on two to three projects in parallel after the first plant advances through its project gates. The position is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and requires travel to the partner's site, including extended stays during the first quarter of 2028. U.S. citizenship is required, and extended hours and weekends are frequently required for critical project milestones.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.
At least 7 years of process engineering experience in hydrometallurgy, specialty chemicals, chlor-alkali, or electronic materials.
At least one basic engineering (FEED) package delivered to an EPC contractor.
Experience building heat and material balances and process datasheets for a plant that was subsequently constructed.
Experience participating in a HAZOP as process owner.
Working knowledge of corrosion and materials selection for HCl, chlorine, and chloride service, including glass-lined, PTFE/PFA-lined, graphite, and Hastelloy materials.
Proficiency in Aspen Plus or equivalent process simulation software.
Proficiency in AutoCAD Plant 3D or equivalent P&ID tools.
Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding atmosphere.
Creative problem-solving ability that brings together process chemistry, equipment design, and plant operation to bring a first-of-a-kind plant to nameplate.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Ability to travel to the partner's site and undertake extended stays during the first quarter of 2028.
Availability for extended hours and frequent weekend work to support critical project milestones.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in chemical engineering.

Responsibilities

Scale up mini-pilot data into process design bases, including mass and energy balances, recovery, reagent, and effluent bases for oxide and solid feed sections.
Develop the basic engineering package, including process flow diagrams, balances, process datasheets, materials-of-construction selections, control philosophy, HAZOP preparation, and utility and effluent summaries.
Review the contractor's P&IDs, datasheets, piping specifications, and instrument specifications against process intent.
Evaluate vendors technically and witness factory acceptance tests for reactors, columns, lined equipment, chlorine systems, and ion-exchange modules.
Support commissioning, execute performance tests, and develop operating procedures used to train the partner's operators.
Work with the commissioning lead on site during commissioning.
Coordinate with the VP of Capital Projects on project schedule and cost.
Execute design and delivery work on two to three projects in parallel after the first plant advances through its project gates.