Staff Process Development Engineer

Electra • Boulder, CO

6h

About The Position

Electra is reinventing ironmaking with a breakthrough electrochemical technology to produce high purity clean iron and critical co-minerals. With operating pilots and a new demonstration facility underway, we are on track to reach commercial scale. Backed by significant funding and strategic partnerships, we are a fast-growing company shaping the future of industry. The Staff Process Development Engineer will provide technical leadership for the development, design, and scale-up of chemical and hydrometallurgical processes across various scales. This role serves as a senior technical resource, driving complex development efforts, shaping technical approaches, and partnering across engineering teams to support sound technical decisions as Electra advances toward commercial-scale operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mining/metallurgical engineering, chemistry, or a related field.
• 12+ years of relevant industry experience; OR 8+ years with a Master’s degree; OR 5+ years with a PhD; or equivalent experience (excludes internships, co-ops and other school projects).
• Deep experience in process design, including mass and energy balances, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, separations, and fluid flow.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership on complex process engineering projects and serve as a trusted subject-matter resource.
• Proven ability to influence technical decisions and collaborate effectively across engineering disciplines and functions without relying on formal authority.
• Demonstrated success implementing safety measures for gas- and liquid-processing systems and leading process safety reviews.
• Expert proficiency with process simulation software and the ability to use models to inform experimental design, predict outcomes, and guide process development and scale-up.
• Strong ability to analyze complex experimental data, recognize meaningful patterns, develop technical recommendations, and communicate results clearly to both technical and non-technical teams.
• Solid experience in analytical chemistry and applying it to troubleshoot complex experimental issues, evaluate alternatives, and determine appropriate technical approaches.
• Strong understanding of fluid power systems, including pumps, valves, and heat-exchange equipment, and how they integrate into larger mechanical and process systems.
• Hands-on experience using power tools and basic fabrication methods to build or modify custom equipment supporting testing, development, and process improvement.
• Experience coordinating with external vendors, providing technical guidance, tracking progress, and ensuring contracted work meets quality, schedule, and project objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to improve engineering practices, share knowledge, and contribute to the technical development of others.
• Proficient in, or able to quickly pick up, Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint to create clear documentation and support project needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for complex process development and scale-up projects from laboratory through pilot and demonstration scale.
• Design and guide development of chemical process systems, including mass and energy balances, P&IDs, equipment specifications, fabrication, and commissioning.
• Develop technical approaches for process development and scale-up using engineering principles, modeling, and experimental data.
• Lead process safety activities, including HAZOPs, FMEAs, and other hazard reviews.
• Partner across mechanical, electrical, controls, and other engineering disciplines to define requirements and support technical decisions.
• Analyze complex experimental and process data and translate findings into recommendations that guide engineering and business decisions.
• Lead commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization of equipment and process systems to improve safety, reliability, and performance.
• Advance process development and engineering practices through documentation, practical standards, and knowledge sharing.
• Serve as a trusted technical resource and mentor, providing guidance on complex process engineering challenges.
• Maintain a safe working environment and lead safety assessments for new equipment, processes, and operations.
• Read, understand, and comply with all workplace health and safety policies, safe work practices, and company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance plans for employee and family.
• $1,800 in annual employer HSA contributions.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• 401k with up to 5% matching contributions which vest 100% on day one.
• Eligibility for incentive stock options.

What This Job Offers

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