Chemical Process Engineer

Who are we? 

At Avantium R&D Solutions, we are at the forefront of innovation in energy and chemicals. We focus on helping chemical companies to accelerate their R&D by offering scalable & innovative test systems like Flowrence® or custom made units and by conducting in-house R&D catalyst testing services.  

With a clear growth strategy in the area of sustainable chemistries we are active in markets like green hydrogen production (electrolysis), plastics recycling (pyrolysis) and Direct Air Capture (Adsorption). With our unique capabilities in innovative chemistry R&D and engineering Avantium RDS is perfectly positioned to support this growing and attractive market segment. Our commitment to a sustainable future drives us to continuously explore new business opportunities in this rapidly evolving field. 

What will you do? 

The Chemical Process Engineer is part of our Engineering department with a focus towards Commerce and Operations. In this role you will be developing custom-made designs or improving equipment and machines based on a thorough knowledge of applied chemical engineering principles, guidelines and standards. This with the aim to safely and economically realize required functionality with a high operational reliability and reproducibility, resulting in an attractive technical offering to our customers. 

To realize this, it is key to be able to translate R&D challenges of our clients into an overall system design, balancing flexibility, data quality, budget and various other constraints. Together with the project team, consisting of a project leader, business developers, other engineers, technologists and scientists, you turn an idea into safely working equipment. 

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and document the overall design of tailor-made lab-scale systems for chemical R&D, with input from the client, internal stakeholders and specialists during the different phases of the project; making PFD’s and P&ID’s is an essential part of this. 
• On a case-by-case basis and in coordination with the project leader communicate with potential customers to understand their requirements or propose our solutions.  
• Perform calculations and studies to support the design, such as HAZOP and risk analysis.
• Ensure overall process technology performance of the system, including writing test protocols to validate overall system performance.
• Support mechanical engineers and supply chain in selecting and purchasing appropriate components and suppliers.
• Support the operational organization during the design, build and validation of the unit. Provide second line support for units in the field in cooperation with Customer Service.
• Write technical documentation, including parts of user manuals.
• Execute, report and/or coordinate studies to improve existing products and processes together with Product Quality Management and Customer Service, including collaboration with Technology & Innovation to develop new platform technologies. 

What do you bring?

This role is perfect for you if you have the following knowledge and Skills:

• BSc Chemical Technology or Chemical Engineering with at least 5-10 years’ experience or an MSc with at least 3-5 years’ experience.
• At least 5 years of experience with a relevant industrial production or research organization in designing lab scale and bench scale equipment is required; having also operated it is a plus. Please note that if you have only large scale industrial experience this is not the role for you.
• Thorough knowledge of heat and mass transfer phenomena and processes.
• Substantial experience in one or more of the following area’s is required: high-throughput testing, catalysis, adsorption, electrolysis or pyrolysis.
• Ability to understand the requirements for a chemical process and translate those requirements to a conceptual design quickly.
• Ability to translate a selected conceptual design to core functional components, a cost estimate, and execution plan.  
• Intrinsic drive to work on challenging projects in a dynamic work environment with cross functional disciplines.
• Strong analytical skills, eager to learn, good communication skills, fluent in English
• Experience with CAD drawing programs, ERP package, preferably Microsoft Dynamics Navision or BC, and product data management (PDM) software.  
• Willingness & ability to occasionally travel to support the lead development process if necessary. 

What do we offer?

As we are a small company, we offer you a unique chance to learn a lot about many fields, not only science, but also business and management, leading people and operations, market strategies, quality and last but not least safety. 

Learning paths can be steep and we do not offer you predefined career paths or development tracks. Rather, you are in the lead of your career and what you bring to the table will be noticed and taking initiative is rewarded and recognized. We have an informal culture, a flat organization and we recognize and celebrate the many cultures that we represent. On top of that we offer good primary and secondary benefits

Interested?

If this description matches your skills or interest, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to show you the innovative world of Avantium. You can send us a message to recruitment@avantium.com.