Chemical Process Engineer

Aalo Atomics; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Aalo Atomics in Austin, TX seeks a Chemical Process Engineer to design and optimize steam generation and feedwater systems for a nuclear plant. You will improve efficiency, reliability, and safety while coordinating with operations, maintenance, EHS, and projects.

The ideal candidate has 5–10+ years in power/ petrochemical environments, deep thermodynamics knowledge, and experience with process safety practices. On-site role with opportunities for growth and impact.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years of relevant engineering experience in large‑scale operations.
• Experience in power generation, petrochemical, refining, chemical manufacturing, or similar industrial operations.
• Strong understanding of chemical process principles, thermodynamics, fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial process systems in a plant environment.
• Familiarity with process safety practices, including HAZOP, PHA, MOC, and root cause analysis.
• Experience interpreting PFDs, P&IDs, and engineering specifications.
• Working knowledge of applicable industry codes, standards, and environmental/safety regulations.
• Strong analytical, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with engineering calculations, spreadsheets, and process data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain process documentation such as PFDs, P&IDs, heat and material balances, operating envelopes, and control philosophies.
• Lead or support process hazard analyses, management of change reviews, and incident investigations.
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce energy consumption, emissions, waste, and operating costs.
• Work closely with operations and maintenance teams to improve plant uptime, equipment performance, and process stability.
• Provide technical support for unit startups, shutdowns, turnarounds, and commissioning activities.
• Evaluate process data and prepare engineering calculations, reports, and recommendations for plant modifications or capital projects.
• Support the specification and selection of process equipment such as pumps, valves, heat exchangers, tanks, reactors, separators, and control systems.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in process control strategy development and work with instrumentation/controls engineers to improve automation and monitoring.
• Support contractor and vendor review, technical bid evaluations, and project execution as needed.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Heat transfer

Mass transfer

PFDs/P&IDs interpretation

Process safety

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Engineering calculations

Troubleshooting

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS

Aspen Plus

ChemCAD

DCS/SCADA

Excel

Job description

About this position

About Aalo Atomics

Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated microreactors designed to deliver affordable, scalable, and reliable nuclear power. Our mission is to make nuclear energy globally accessible, starting with the Aalo-1, a 10 MWe reactor leveraging cutting‑edge safety, modularity, and efficiency. Based in Austin, TX, we’re rapidly growing as we work to deploy the world’s first fleet of advanced microreactors. Join us and help revolutionize energy for a sustainable future.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Chemical Process Engineer with experience in power plants, petrochemical facilities, refineries, or other large‑scale industrial process environments to support the design, optimization, and safe operation of complex chemical and thermal systems, with a particular focus on steam generation and feedwater return systems for a nuclear power plant. This role will focus on improving process efficiency, reliability, safety, and compliance across plant operations, while partnering with operations, maintenance, EHS, and project teams.

The ideal candidate combines strong chemical engineering fundamentals with practical plant experience and hands‑on knowledge of steam cycle chemistry, heat transfer, condensate/feedwater systems, and utility process operations. This person should be comfortable working in fast‑paced industrial settings involving high‑temperature, high‑pressure, and continuously operated systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain process documentation such as PFDs, P&IDs, heat and material balances, operating envelopes, and control philosophies.
• Lead or support process hazard analyses, management of change reviews, and incident investigations.
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce energy consumption, emissions, waste, and operating costs.
• Work closely with operations and maintenance teams to improve plant uptime, equipment performance, and process stability.
• Provide technical support for unit startups, shutdowns, turnarounds, and commissioning activities.
• Evaluate process data and prepare engineering calculations, reports, and recommendations for plant modifications or capital projects.
• Support the specification and selection of process equipment such as pumps, valves, heat exchangers, tanks, reactors, separators, and control systems.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in process control strategy development and work with instrumentation/controls engineers to improve automation and monitoring.
• Support contractor and vendor review, technical bid evaluations, and project execution as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
• 5–10+ years of relevant engineering experience in power generation, petrochemical, refining, chemical manufacturing, or similar industrial operations.
• Strong understanding of chemical process principles, thermodynamics, fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial process systems in a plant environment.
• Familiarity with process safety practices, including HAZOP, PHA, MOC, and root cause analysis.
• Experience interpreting PFDs, P&IDs, and engineering specifications.
• Working knowledge of applicable industry codes, standards, and environmental/safety regulations.
• Strong analytical, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with engineering calculations, spreadsheets, and process data analysis tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in one or more of the following:
• Steam and power cycles
• Water/steam chemistry
• Heat recovery systems
• Petrochemical unit operations
• Refining processes
• Gas treatment or separation systems
• Utilities and balance‑of‑plant systems
• Familiarity with process simulation software such as Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Plus, ChemCAD, or similar.
• Experience with DCS/SCADA systems and process control optimization.
• Six Sigma, Lean, or other continuous improvement experience.
• Startup, commissioning, or turnaround support experience.
• Combination of office and plant/field environment.
• May require work in operating industrial facilities with appropriate PPE.
• Occasional travel may be required for site support, vendor visits, or project work.

What Success Looks Like

• Successful design that is modular and rapidly deployable
• Someone who is a “go‑getter” and needs little supervision
• Improved process efficiency and plant reliability.
• Strong safety and regulatory performance.
• Well‑documented, practical engineering solutions that support operations.
• Effective collaboration across engineering, operations, maintenance, and project teams.

Requirements:

• Based in the United States
• Willing to work on‑sitein Austin, TX

What We Offer:

• Paid Time Off

Additional Information:

Aalo Atomics provides a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, intellectually challenging careers, and competitive compensation. Aalo Atomics is an equal opportunity employer and considers all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Persons in compliance with 10 CFR Part 810 and may not hold non‑compliant foreign citizenships.

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