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Associate Process Engineer
Location: Berkeley, CA
Direct Hire - FTE
Salary: $80k+ dependent of experience
Full job description
The compnay is scaling the RF plasma-based nitrogen fixation process toward industrial nitric acid production, and we need someone to help keep the tools running and the data flowing. This role will work hands-on with our plasma reactor systems day-to-day - supporting experimental runs, monitoring process parameters, troubleshooting equipment issues, and helping characterize reactor performance as we push toward production-scale throughput. This is a role for someone who's energized by being in the lab or on the floor as much as at a desk, working closely with our process engineering lead to keep experiments moving and turn operational data into insight.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, run, and troubleshoot (process type, e.g., chemical/plasma/thermal) experiments to characterize (key outputs - yield, efficiency, purity, throughput)
- Own process instrumentation and diagnostics including, but not limited to, gas analyzers, spectrometers, mass spec, OES
- Develop and maintain process models (mass/energy balances, kinetics, equipment sizing) using Python and/or JMP
- Work cross-functionally with mechanical/electrical/software teams, leadership to integrate process requirements into system design
- Analyze historian/SCADA data to monitor process health and identify optimization opportunities
- Maintain safety protocols for handling hazardous materials - reactive gases, corrosives, high pressure
- Document experimental procedures, results, and process specifications
Required Skills and Experience:
- 1+ years of experience in process/chemical engineering
- B.S./M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field
- Working knowledge of reaction engineering / thermodynamics / mass transfer / fluid dynamics
- Comfort with data analysis and scripting (Python, SQL, or similar)
- Experience working in a lab or pilot-plant environment with hazardous materials
- Strong written communication for documenting process specs and findings
Bonus Skills:
- Experience with plasma tools
- Familiarity with PLC/SCADA systems
- Startup or fast-paced R&D experience where you wear multiple hats
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
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