Sr. Process Engineer

About the Institute

The Institute for Carbon Management (ICM) is a cross-campus technology-translation entity at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). ICM translates pioneering carbon management strategies from the laboratory/bench-scale to pre-commercial/commercial-scale devices, prototypes, and software solutions. ICM's activities span two major focus areas:

• Technologies for CO₂ removal (from the atmosphere and the ocean), utilization, and avoidance
• Technologies for creating new supply chains and processing approaches for critical materials and elements (e.g., Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Mo) foundational to accelerating the clean energy transition, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of extractive processes

ICM is organized into action teams that are convergent, agile, and world-class. These teams have enabled ICM-born technologies to be awarded the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE and the 2021 Liveability Challenge, among others. ICM's technologies are now being commercialized via spin-out companies, including CarbonBuilt Inc., Concrete-AI Inc., and Equatic Inc.

About the Role

ICM is seeking an experienced Senior Process Engineer to join a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists developing carbon removal technologies with global impact. This role will lead projects from early-stage feasibility and pre-FEED through the design, construction, and delivery of demonstration-scale plants, requiring a strong blend of process engineering and project engineering expertise.

Reporting to the Institute Director and Project Lead, this individual will drive day-to-day research and development activities, working closely with both internal teams and external stakeholders, including partners and vendors. The role requires hands-on technical leadership, effective cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to translate innovative concepts into scalable, real-world solutions. The successful candidate will collaborate with a diverse group of subject matter experts in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on delivering measurable results.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from early-stage feasibility and pre-FEED through design, construction, and delivery of demonstration-scale plants
• Drive day-to-day research and development activities in collaboration with internal teams and external stakeholders
• Apply process engineering and project engineering expertise to develop scalable solutions

Requirements

• 5 or more years of experience in chemical process design and developing basic or detailed engineering packages for metallurgical, oil refining, petrochemical, gas processing, or chemical industries (Required)
• 5 or more years of experience as a project engineer/manager in delivering or supporting capital projects (Required)
• Proficiency with Aspen Plus modeling and simulation, and Aspen Icarus cost estimation tools (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, collaborate across functions, and communicate effectively to drive results (Required)
• Working knowledge of diverse fabrication and prototyping methods across multiple process environments (Required)
• Solid foundation in core engineering principles (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership, be driven and results-oriented, and hold yourself and others accountable for success (Required)
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work seamlessly across internal stakeholders, partners, and external vendors (Required)
• Highly structured thinking, including the ability to define overarching development plans and track execution among team members and partners (Required)

Qualifications

• Experience with process simulation (e.g., Aspen Plus) (Preferred)
• Experience with electrochemical systems including electrolyzers and fuel cells (Preferred)
• Has worked for, or with, EPC teams in both office and project-site locations (Preferred)
• Strong chemistry knowledge (Preferred)
• Strong interest in climate technologies and sustainability solutions (Preferred)
• Bachelor's Degree in engineering, preferably in Chemical Engineering (Required)
• Master's Degree in engineering, preferably in Chemical Engineering (Preferred)

Pay

UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common.

Benefits

Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Schedule

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation. A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.