Staff Process Development Engineer

Who You Are

You are creative, diligent, insightful and hands-on. You understand the principles of process engineering and industrial plant design. You are able to translate pilot results into commercial plant designs and commission new industrial facilities to manufacture materials for Li-ion batteries. You look forward to being on a team of diverse individuals united by a shared goal. We start with first principles, test new reactors and systems, and deliver processes through pilot-scale into commercial production. You will use your previous experience in process engineering and plant design to collaborate with Equipment Development, Program Management and Operations teammates to successfully deliver large volumes of next-generation battery materials into a growing market.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Define, design and code standard methodologies for Sila plant designs, including necessary RAGAGEP & PSM requirements. Adapt industry templates (e.g. PIP Standards) for best use within Sila.
• Design world-class chemical processes to produce next-generation battery materials.
• Create and manage world-class technical standards and workflows for process design at Sila, including the following: Basis of Designs, Process Flow Diagrams, Heat and Material Balances, Control Narratives, Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams.
• Mentor and train process engineering teammates on plant design best practices; set a high bar for engineering quality and coach effectively in achieving it.
• Effectively represent the Process Engineering function in project meetings with Sila’s EPCs and technology licensors. Draft, check and approve process deliverables.
• Collaborate effectively across multiple internal Sila functions and vendors as part of a major capital project team.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• BS/MS in Chemical Engineering or related field
• 10+ years of industry experience, including 5+ years of plant design experience
• Strong belief in a safety-first culture; fluent in PSM requirements for plant design
• Comfortable being in the field in industrial facilities
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Record of working positively and effectively in dynamic teams
• Deep familiarity with standard process engineering deliverables (BFD, PFD, HMB, cost estimation, preliminary equipment sizing, P&ID) required
• Familiarity with Process Hazard Analyses and HAZOP/LOPA best practices required
• Familiarity with Process Modeling software such as Aveva Process Simulation/ SimCentral (preferred), ASPEN, HYSYS, ProII, or gPROMs required

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a laptop, copier/printer machine, etc.
• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a hard hat, lab coat or coveralls, gloves, safety glasses, and safety shoes
• Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection on a periodic basis
• Repetitive use of hands - light to forceful handling of material
• Move long distances and occasionally kneel or bend
• Up to 10% travel for work at new production sites and contractors’ design offices

The starting base pay for this role is between $166,000 and $200,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, equity, and bonuses. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

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