Sr. Development Engineer

AIRCO•New Britain, PA

3h•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Development Engineer to play a critical role in commercializing AIRCO’S Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) technology.. This role is highly hands-on, combining first-principles engineering with pilot-scale execution to generate the experimental data and mechanistic models required for scale-up and Engineering Design Information (EDI) delivery. This individual will play a key role in the design and execution of concepting, executing, and evaluating experimental programs to enable robust yield and performance models, supporting Engineering Design Information package (EDI) delivery. The position requires close integration of experimental work, analytical characterization to build mechanistic understanding and develop solid numerical models of process reactions and separations. This role is based in New Britain, PA.

Requirements

M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline
Significant experience in hands-on experimental development, pilot-scale testing, or process development
Strong grounding in thermodynamics, reaction engineering, and separation fundamentals
Demonstrated ability to analyze large datasets and extract mechanistic insight, not just empirical fits
Experience with numerical tools, simulation software, or data analysis platforms (e.g., Aspen, MATLAB, Python, similar)
Proven troubleshooting skills in experimental or pilot-plant environments
Experience in fuels, petrochemicals, refining, catalysis, or sustainable energy technologies
Familiarity with scale-up challenges, process modeling, and commercialization workflows
Experience supporting or delivering EDI / FEL engineering packages

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of SAF pathways and regulatory or sustainability considerations is a plus

Responsibilities

Design, plan, and execute pilot-unit and bench-scale testing programs to support SAF process development and scale-up
Operate, troubleshoot, and optimize reaction and separation systems, identifying root causes of performance deviations
Develop experimental strategies to close data gaps critical for commercialization readiness
Handle and interpret large, complex experimental datasets, identifying trends and correlations
Develop mechanistic yield, reaction, and separation models grounded in thermodynamics and transport fundamentals
Integrate experimental data with numerical, statistical, and simulation tools to improve model accuracy and predictability
Utilize and interpret data from analytical equipment (e.g., GC, HPLC, spectroscopy, physical property measurements)
Ensure data quality, reproducibility, and traceability to support design decisions and scale-up
Translate experimental results into actionable inputs for EDI/BEDP delivery
Support technology readiness progression from development through demonstration and early commercial deployment
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, engineering, operations, and project management
Apply a creative, hypothesis-driven approach to solving complex technical challenges
Identify opportunities for process improvement, risk reduction, and performance optimization
Contribute to intellectual property development, technical documentation, and knowledge transfer

Benefits

Full coverage for employee base premiums on health, dental, and vision insurance.
70% coverage for spouse and dependent base premiums.
Choose between base plans or enhanced options to fit your needs.
Access company-sponsored HSA and FSA accounts to save on healthcare and dependent care expenses.
Company-paid Short-Term Disability insurance.
Optional Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance plans.
Flexible and generous paid time off, including national holidays and sick leave.
Paid family leave to support you during important life moments.
Tax-deferred 401(k) plan with a 3% company match to help you invest in your future.
Pre-tax savings on transit and parking, plus monthly company contributions.
Ancillary benefits through Sequoia, including pet insurance and financial wellness programs.
Employee wellness program to support your well-being.Inclusive of Wellhub & One Medical.
Company-sponsored events and programs that promote an inclusive and values-driven workplace.
In person weekly catered lunch every Wednesday.