Chemical Engineer

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead scale-up activities for energetic material synthesis from laboratory bench scale to pilot and production scale operations
• Design and optimize chemical processes to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of energetic materials
• Create detailed process flow diagrams, equipment specifications, and standard operating procedures for manufacturing operations
• Conduct process optimization studies to maximize yield, minimize waste, and improve product quality
• Troubleshoot process issues and implement solutions to maintain production efficiency
• Work closely with research chemists to understand synthesis requirements and constraints
• Create P&IDs for multi-step processes and perform process design/safety reviews
• Develop PLC control code
• Model processes using common software like ASPEN
• Perform risk assessments and implement safety measures for scaled production operations
• Safely handle, store, and process chemical materials in accordance with established safety protocols
• Support chemical safety and regulatory compliance activities
• Prepare detailed technical reports, process documentation
• Maintain comprehensive records of process development activities and scale-up studies
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and ensure data integrity and traceability
• Maintain detailed safety documentation and incident reporting

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong foundation in chemical engineering principles including mass transfer, heat transfer, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics
• Working knowledge of several different reactor types and their advantages and disadvantages
• Working knowledge of software platforms used for industrial automation (e.g., twinCAT, Codesys, or LabVIEW)
• Working knowledge of data-driven process optimization and statistical analyses

Education/Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with at least 10 years of experience
• A master’s degree in chemical engineering with at least 5 years of experience
• A Ph.D. in chemical engineering with at least 1 year of experience

Certificates/Licenses

• None required

Clearance

• The ability to obtain a Department of Defense Secret clearance and Department of Homeland Security Fitness is required for this position.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervision of the technical activities performed by the more junior staff members assigned to the project is required for this position.

Working Conditions/ Equipment

• The incumbent professional is expected to be present at the work site and/or be available during regular business hours.
• He/she should also generally be available via e-mail or phone during non-business hours as needed to address critical issues or emergencies.