Sr. Applications Engineer - Membrane Technology (30823)

UCC Environmental • Libertyville, IL

2d • $115,000 - $135,000

About The Position

Join UCC Environmental, a global leader in sustainable technology solutions Are you looking for professional fulfillment and a rewarding technical career in a progressive and well-run company? Do you have a passion for customer relationships and environmental innovation? If so, you might be the perfect fit for UCC Environmental, a company that offers utility-specific sustainable technology solutions to clients across the globe. UCC Environmental has a strong presence in North America and is expanding its sales channels in EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions. You will have the opportunity to work with a diverse and talented team and contribute to the company's growth and success. Read on to find out more about the role and how to apply. This client-facing technical leadership position bridges business development and engineering execution at UCC Environmental. As a Senior Application Engineer, you will drive sales success by designing industry leading, competitive, and innovative UF/RO/EDI/EDR-based industrial water purification and treatment solutions. You will act as a trusted technical advisor to clients, consulting engineers, OEMs, and internal teams—effectively translating complex customer needs into robust membrane strategies, equipment configurations, technoeconomic analyses, bills of materials, and compelling technical narratives that win projects and support strategic growth in industrial and utility markets.

Requirements

• Bachelors in chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering (ABET required).
• 8–10 years in UF/RO/EDI/EDR process or applications engineering (or 5+ years with a Master’s).
• 3–5 years in a client facing technical role (applications engineering, technical sales support, proposal engineering, etc.).
• Expertise in UF/RO/EDI design, modeling, pilot testing, PFDs/P&IDs, mass/energy balances, and technoeconomic analysis.
• Field experience commissioning and troubleshooting membrane systems.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Proficiency in membrane sizing, recovery, and flux calculations.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD/Plant3D, OLI Flowsheet, and Microsoft Office.
• Proficiency with membrane modeling tools (WAVE/WAVE PRO, IMSDesign, Q+, NEWatsys, IPPro, IonCalc, TORAYDS/AquaGRID, Winflows).
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills; ability to simplify complex topics.
• Knowledge of industrial processes, controls integration, and treatment system design.
• Strong communication, decision-making, and time management.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced technical environment.
• Ability to sit or stand at a desk using a computer 80% of the time
• Ability to accommodate varying work schedules
• Ability to climb up and down stairs and ladders
• Ability to walk around power plants/job sites for extended periods
• Willingness to travel occasionally for internal team meetings, client meetings, customer site visits, or industry events (<15%)
• Must be aligned with Core Values and Beliefs that drive UCC’s existing corporate culture.
• Teamwork – we respect others and create a collaborative working environment of inclusion and inspiration
• People – we trust and invest in our people, unlocking their full potential and they always come first
• Integrity – we are truthful and respectful to customers, employees, community and suppliers
• Customer Satisfaction – we keep existing customers by delivering exceptional customer service
• Innovative –we encourage resourceful problem solving in the face of adversity

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred with a membrane Technology focus
• Experience with power, heavy industry, or ZLD/reuse systems.
• PE license a plus.

Responsibilities

• Analyze water chemistry and develop membrane system configurations.
• Design bench/pilot testing programs.
• Perform dosing, equipment sizing, and develop PFDs/P&IDs.
• Evaluate membrane technologies and CAPEX/OPEX tradeoffs.
• Ensure designs meet specifications, regulatory requirements, and UCC standards.
• Provide field support during installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Partner with sales teams to identify and pursue advanced membrane opportunities.
• Serve as technical lead for clients, OEMs, engineers, and internal stakeholders.
• Support proposals through system design, calculations, technical narratives, scopes, and cost estimates.
• Participate in client meetings and technical reviews.
• Support project engineering, scope development, schedules, and deliverables.
• Coordinate with engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and construction.
• Review vendor/contractor submittals for technical compliance.
• Contribute to QA/QC reviews (30/60/90%).
• Support development of engineering standards and best practices.
• Stay current with membrane technologies and modeling tools (e.g., WAVE PRO, IMSDesign, Q+, IPPro, TORAYDS, Winflows).
• Mentor junior engineers.
• Work effectively across functions and produce high quality reports and presentations.
• All other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Insurance: Medical, Dental, Life, Disability, Employee Assistance Programs and Voluntary Options such as Vision, HSA, FSA (Medical, Dental, Vision and Dependent Care), Accident, Identity Theft, Legal coverage
• Retirement: 401(k) with up to 4% company match, Pre-Tax and Roth Options, and discretionary Annual Profit-Sharing contribution
• Time Off: 10 days of Vacation, Vacation Purchase Plan up to 10 days purchased per year, 5 days of Sick and 10 Holidays, Parental Leave, FMLA
• Miscellaneous: Student Debt Assistance, Tuition Reimbursement, Certification and License Reimbursement, Personalized Professional Development Plans and Career Path Options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level