Staff Process Engineer, Material Handling

Who You Are

We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Process Engineer - Material Handling to lead and support the construction, commissioning, and start-up of our new industrial-scale plant in Moses Lake. In this role, you will ensure that our Moses Lake material handling systems are safely and effectively brought online, stabilized, and optimized for reliable production. Following commissioning, you will lead process improvements, support future plant expansion projects, and partner with our R&D teams to deliver next-generation technology. 

As a Staff Process Engineer on Sila’s Technology team, you are committed to a safety-first culture and compliance with all regulatory and internal standards. You proactively identify risks, implement safeguards, and ensure processes protect personnel, equipment, and the environment while supporting reliable and efficient operations. You will play a critical role in ensuring the successful operation of industrial-scale material handling and processing systems. You thrive in high-pressure environments such as chemical plant startups, new grade trials, and turnarounds, consistently delivering product on-spec and on-time. You are a collaborative problem-solver with a strong bias for action, experienced in working closely with R&D and Technology teams as well as partnering effectively with Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance. You take full ownership of your work, embrace new challenges, and are committed to continuously improving both processes and team performance.

Responsibilities and Duties  

• Provide onsite support for Material Handling and Product Handling systems, focusing on the commissioning phase, including daily coordination with operations and vendors to ensure smooth startup and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Maintenance) and external vendors/contractors to ensure smooth project execution.
• Lead and support process safety and documentation activities, including HAZOP closure, P&ID and ISO updates, MOC changes, preparation of manuals and datasheets, startup checklists, and vendor communications.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment issues during commissioning and early operation, ensuring timely resolution and minimal impact to production.
• Analyze system performance data, identify improvement opportunities, and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership for future material handling projects, including expansion efforts and next-gen process technology in collaboration with R&D and Material Development teams.
• Support equipment selection, vendor evaluation, and technical qualification for material handling systems.
• Author complex technical documentation, basis of design, and support capital project deliverables.
• Develop and implement process safety, risk mitigation, and operational excellence practices for material handling systems.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 6+ years of industrial experience in process design, commissioning, and operations, preferably within powders, chemicals, or advanced materials manufacturing. Experience with bulk material handling, pneumatic conveying, blending, screening and packaging systems is a plus.
• Extensive experience with process integration of solids handling systems including but not limited to controls, mechanical design, material handling related codes, and technology selection.
• Familiarity with regulatory, safety, and environmental compliance requirements, including NFPA, API, ASME, OSHA, and related standards.
• Years of experience creating, reading and editing PFDs, P&IDs, 3D CAD models, Equipment Drawings, Process Control Narratives, and Operation Procedures
• Demonstrated experience in construction, commissioning, and start-up phases of material handling or process systems.
• Strong ability to make decisions based on functional requirements and technical risk (design risk, technology selection risk, management of change and HAZOP risks).
• Experience with safety critical instrumentation, safety relief, and operational alarms.
• Hands-on experience with troubleshooting and optimization of industrial-scale systems.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to coordinate across multiple teams and effectively resolve technical issues.
• Proven ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations, including plant startups, new product trials, and turnarounds, while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

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
• Move long distances and occasionally kneel or bend
• Up to 60% travel for work at new production site during startup
• Up to 10% travel during non-startup time periods

The starting base pay for this role is between $151,000 and $191,000 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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