Process Development Engineer (013-ENG)
Position Description:
The ideal candidate for this position has experience in industrial process development and operations with experience in heat transfer, distillation or evaporation processes. The candidate must be able to design and develop pilot to commercial scale engineering unit operations for the production of biofuels. The candidate should have experience with chemical engineering process simulations, and design techniques. The candidate should have a strong grasp of phase change equilibria and thermodynamics of multicomponent mixtures and be capable of efficiently implementing fundamental concepts at industrial scale. This candidate must demonstrate the ability to innovate, learn quickly, operate independently, communicate well and demonstrate willingness to get the job done. This is a hands-on engineering position which reports directly to the Director of Engineering.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- BS in Mechanical/Chemical Engineering (or equivalent) with several years of industrial separation and product recovery experience in chemical or bioprocessing environments.
- Experience with chemical engineering simulations and engineering design software is required.
- A keen understanding of multi-component, multiphase thermodynamic systems or significant experience with phase change unit operations in an industrial setting is strongly desired.
- Ability to generate piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID) and process flow diagrams (PFD).
- Ability and willingness to interact with external engineering and construction firms to rapidly put concepts into practice at pilot and production scale.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication (both oral and written) skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Self-motivated, energetic individual demonstrating a high level of scientific initiative.
- Strong analytical and organizational skills, and a can-do attitude.
- Attention to detail, safety and good laboratory practice.
- Comfortable in a fast-growing, dynamic, collaborative environment.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Interact with engineering personnel to implement system and unit operation process simulations for a biofuel product recovery system.
- Develop and optimize pilot scale equipment designs and reduce to industrial scale practice.
- Design, source, install, and operate pilot scale (and larger) separation and recovery equipment.
- Develop standard operating procedures (SOP) for unit operation.
- Identify process limitations and develop methods, designs and systems to optimize unit operation.
- Additional duties may include the interface of this unit operation with a custom SCADA system, other unit operations, and thermodynamic evaluations of other technologies.
- Identify, diagnose, and address problems in a timely and independent fashion.
- Report progress in a timely manner.
Company Description
Cobalt Biofuels is a well funded, venture-backed start-up located in Mountain View, CA. We are seeking enthusiastic scientists to join our team in developing technology for the efficient microbial production of renewable transportation fuels. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, including equity opportunities. Email your CV to with the job code (013-ENG) in the subject line.