Senior Process Development Engineer

Boulder, Colorado, United States

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:

The Senior Process Development Engineer on the process engineering team 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.  

Responsibilities include:

  • Lead projects to study and scale up new processes at laboratory and pilot scale, including designing experiments to prove out concepts, selecting and sizing equipment, and operating process equipment 
  • Develop and maintain robust process models that can be used to analyze techno-economic impacts of process input changes to inform decision making processes 
  • Design aqueous reaction and separations processes, critically evaluating process alternatives and developing mass and energy balances 
  • Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers to implement new processes 
  • Collect and synthesize experimental data, and present results to guide engineering and business decisions
  • Commission and troubleshoot new equipment
  • Maintain a safe working environment and lead safety assessments of new equipment and operations 
  • 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:  

  • PhD or equivalent in chemical engineering, mining/metallurgical engineering, or chemistry OR a bachelor’s degree in the previously listed fields and at least 8 years of related experience (excludes internships, co-ops, and other school projects) OR a master’s degree in the previously listed fields and at least 6 years of related experience (excludes internships, co-ops, and other school projects)  
  • Hands-on process design experience, including mass and energy balances, reaction kinetics and thermodynamics, separations equipment, and fluid flow 
  • Experience with process simulation software, and using it to make experimental predictions
  • Experience leading process-engineering projects and acting as subject-matter expert 
  • Track record of successful implementation of safety measures for gas- and liquid-based processes   
  • Experience analyzing experimental data, reaching conclusions, communicating and presenting results 
  • Strong organizational and project management skills 
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills 
  • 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:

  • Hands-on process design experience, including mass and energy balances, reaction kinetics and thermodynamics, separations equipment, and fluid flow
  • Experience with analytical chemistry and its application to answering experimental questions 
  • Familiarity with fluid power systems (pumps, valves, heat exchange equipment, etc.) 
  • Experience with power tools and light fabrication to build custom apparatus 

Compensation:  

  • The anticipated starting pay range for this position is $100,000 - $130,000 annually and may be more or less depending upon skills, experience, and education. 

Benefits For You: 

  • 100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance plans
  • Reasonable use PTO
  • $1,800 in annual employer HSA contributions (health savings account) 

Benefits For Your Family: 

  • 100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, and telemedicine plans
  • $3,600 in annual employer HSA contributions (health savings account)
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave and flexible return-to-work options 

Benefits For Your Future: 

  • 401k with up to 5% matching contributions which vest 100% on day one
  • Eligibility for incentive stock options 

 

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