Process Engineer I

Who we are:

Electra is reinventing iron production to tackle the nearly 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions produced from iron and steelmaking. Its patented process uses chemistry and renewable energy to transform a variety of grades of iron ore into environmentally responsible pure iron at scale. By maximizing the value of Earth’s resources and minimizing our environmental footprint and carbon emissions, Electra is forging a green future from the ground up. With a collaborative culture and passion for disrupting the status quo, careers at Electra offer challenge, reward, and the opportunity to bring to market solutions that dramatically improve the health of the planet. 

What you will do: 

As a Process Engineer I on the Process Engineering team, you will contribute to the design and testing of chemical and hydrometallurgical processes across a variety of scales, from bench-scale proof-of-concept to Electra’s iron-refining pilot plant.  

Key Responsibilities: 

• Study new processes at laboratory and pilot scale, including designing experiments to prove out concepts, selecting and sizing equipment, and operating process equipment 
• Assist in the design of aqueous reaction and separations processes, critically evaluating process alternatives and developing mass energy balances 
• Produce process design documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, BOMs, and safety analyses 
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to implement new processes and automate existing ones 
• Collect experimental data, and analyze results to assist in decision making and inform design work 
• Assist in commissioning and troubleshooting new equipment 
• Assist in the development and execution of standard operating procedures 
• Support general lab operations and needs   
• Read, understand, and comply with all workplace health and safety policies, safe work practices, and company policies and procedures 
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor 

What we need you to bring to the team (Requirements):  

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mining/metallurgical engineering, chemistry, or related  
• Experience in process design, including mass and energy balances, reaction kinetics and thermodynamics, separations equipment, and fluid flow  
• Experience implementing safety measures for gas- and liquid-based processes 
• Experience analyzing experimental data, reaching conclusions, communicating and presenting results 
• Familiarity with fluid power systems (pumps, valves, heat exchange equipment, etc.) 
• Strong organizational skills 
• Strong communication skills (including written and verbal)  
• Proficiency with, or ability to quickly learn, Microsoft Office suite of programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and SharePoint      

What we want you to bring to the team (Preferred):  

• 1+ years of industry experience in process design, including mass and energy balances, reaction kinetics and thermodynamics, separations equipment, and fluid flow    
• Experience with participating in detailed design work such as instrumentation selection, process control, designing equipment layouts, pipe runs, electrical runs, etc. 
• Experience with power tools and light fabrication to build custom apparatus 
• Experience with analytical chemistry and its application to answering experimental questions 
• Experience with process simulation software, and using it to make experimental predictions