Principal Engineer

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design of reactor systems and associated equipment from concept through detailed design, setting engineering standards and reviewing design work for technical quality
• Own the mechanical design of high-temperature, high-pressure gas-phase reactor systems, including reactors, heating systems, gas distribution, heat recovery and supports
• Support the scale-up of reactor systems from pilot to production capacity, improving throughput, reliability and uptime
• Select and specify high-temperature materials and engineer for creep, thermal expansion, thermal stress and fatigue
• Design and review piping and pressure-retaining components to applicable codes such as ASME B31.3 and ASME Section VIII
• Develop the basis of design for new systems together with Scale-up and Process teams; maintain design calculations, P&IDs, GA drawings and BOMs
• Specify and integrate process equipment such as compressors, flow control, valves and instrumentation
• Work with the Electronics/Controls team on automation and instrumentation for continuous operation, and coordinate external E&I contractors for installation
• Lead design reviews, HAZOP/HAZID and risk assessments with EHS, with particular attention to hazardous-gas handling, pressure safety and high-temperature operation
• Prepare technical specifications and support purchasing in selecting vendors, evaluating quotes and negotiating equipment and fabrication contracts
• Coordinate shop inspections, FAT and QA/QC with fabricators to protect quality and schedule; oversee installation, pressure testing and commissioning
• Track project progress, budget and engineering deliverables; report status and risks to the Head of Engineering
• Troubleshoot operating systems, perform root-cause analysis on failures and implement design improvements
• Must be thorough, meticulous, well organized, and able to communicate and work well with all levels of the organization
• Make engineering decisions independently, but also recognize when to seek assistance and/or approval
• Travel to vendor and fabricator sites if required

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors or master’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering (or closely related discipline)
• 5–8 years of experience in mechanical design of process equipment, including experience leading the design of equipment or engineering projects
• Hands-on experience designing high-temperature, high-pressure systems such as reactors, furnaces, heaters, pressure vessels or process piping
• Experience in advanced materials, nanomaterials, specialty chemicals or similar process manufacturing environments is strongly preferred
• Experience scaling a process or equipment from lab/pilot scale to production
• Experience designing for safe handling of flammable or toxic gases
• Working knowledge of ASME B31.3, ASME Section VIII and high-temperature material selection
• Experience taking equipment from concept through fabrication, installation and commissioning
• Proficiency with: MS Office Suite; MS Project (or equivalent scheduling tool); 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor or similar) and AutoCAD
• Experience with FEA / thermal-stress analysis (e.g. ANSYS) is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with process automation, instrumentation and process control is a plus
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, start-up environment with first-of-a-kind technology
• Excellent time management, documentation, and verbal and written communication skills