First Principles Custom Process Modeling Lead

Exxon Mobil; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

Savings Plan

Workplace Flexibility

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Culture of Health Programs

Employee Health Advisory Program

Disability Plan

Job summary

Exxon Mobil in Houston, Texas, is seeking a technical leader for the Process Innovation and Scale-Up team. You will contribute to novel process development by combining chemical engineering fundamentals with applied modeling skills, advancing technologies from ideation to commercial scale.

This role requires a PhD in Chemical Engineering or related field and over 10 years of experience in model development and implementation. Benefits include a pension plan, comprehensive health coverage, and workplace flexibility.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of demonstrated industrial experience.
• Experience in building and optimizing kinetic models.
• Strong ability to work on applications driven by abstract problems.

Responsibilities

• Develop & apply first principles/phenomenological models.
• Collaborate in cross-discipline teams to guide experimentation.
• Guide a team of modelers to meet modeling goals.

Skills

Chemical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Applied Mathematics

gPROMS

MATLAB

Python

Aspen Custom Modeler

Education

PhD in relevant disciplines

Tools

Process simulation platforms (APSEN, HYSYS, Pro‑II)

Job description

What role you will play in our team

As one of the world’s largest publicly traded energy providers and chemical manufacturers, we develop and apply next‑generation technologies to help safely and responsibly meet the world’s growing needs for energy and high‑quality chemical products. Affordable and sustainable energy solutions are required to advance global prosperity. We invest in technology and communities to bring the world better energy. Within ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, our teams leverage our world‑class facilities to research and develop the energy solutions of tomorrow.

As a technical leader on the Process Innovation and Scale‑Up team, you will be an integral contributor to novel process development and scale‑up programs. You will combine chemical engineering fundamentals (reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, transport) with applied modeling skillsets to help solve challenging problems and progress new technologies from early‑stage ideation to commercial‑scale deployment.

What you will do

• Develop and apply fit‑for‑purpose first principles/phenomenological models of novel, first‑of‑a‑kind process units to guide screening, development, and design of new process technologies across the business portfolio (Upstream, Product Solutions, Low Carbon Solutions)
• Apply strong background in fundamentals‑based modeling, particularly in the areas of reaction kinetics, heat and mass transfer in unit operations, and design for advanced reactors or separations
• Work collaboratively in cross‑discipline teams deploying models to guide/support experimentation (active materials development, lab and pilot‑scale studies), process engineering, and equipment design
• Formulate modeling framework from high‑level research program objectives and guide a team of 1 to 3 modelers to deliver modeling goals
• Apply deep knowledge and mentorship in topics related to first principles/phenomenological modeling, and reactor engineering within Research and broader ExxonMobil communities
• Champion sustainment of differentiated modeling capabilities to deliver business value

About You

Job Requirements:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics or related discipline with relevant thesis work
• 10+ years of demonstrated industrial experience with:
  • Developing and applying customized multi‑scale models of process units (i.e. reacting and separation systems, electrochemical processes, membrane/adsorption separations, steady state/dynamic/cyclic etc.)
  • Building, solving, and optimizing robust kinetic models
  • Computational languages: gPROMS, MATLAB, Python, Aspen Custom Modeler or similar
• Strong ability and interest to work on applications driven by abstract problems and develop creative out‑of‑the‑box solutions
• Effective interpersonal skills and leadership behaviors
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Driven and self‑motivated

Preferred Knowledge or Skills:

• Process scale‑up experience understanding the impact of scale on unit operations/commercial‑scale embodiment/design
• Experience with process simulation platforms (APSEN, HYSYS, Pro‑II), hybrid modeling (i.e.:PINNs, AI/ML), Techno‑economic Analysis
• Lab and/or pilot scale experimentation

Your benefits

An ExxonMobil career is one designed to last. Our commitment to you runs deep: our employees grow personally and professionally, with benefits built on our core categories of health, security, finance, and life.

We offer you:

• Pension Plan: Enrollment is automatic and at no cost to you. The basic benefit is a monthly annuity to be paid to you in retirement for the rest of your life.
• Savings Plan: You can contribute between 6% and 20% of your pay and are encouraged to enroll right away. If you contribute at least 6% to your savings plan, the Company will contribute a 7% match.
• Workplace Flexibility: We have several programs such as “Flex your Day”, providing ad‑hoc flexibility around when and where you work, as well as longer‑term programs such as leaves of absence and part‑time work.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Culture of Health: Programs and resources to support your wellbeing.
• Employee Health Advisory Program: Provides confidential professional counseling for you and your family, including tools and resources promoting mental health and resiliency at no additional cost to you.
• Disability Plan: Income replacement for when you cannot work due to illness or injury occurring on or off the job. Enrollment is automatic and at no cost to you.

More information on our Company’s benefits can be found at www.exxonmobilfamily.com.

Please note benefits may be changed from time to time without notice, subject to applicable law.

Stay connected with us

• Learn more at our website
• Follow us on LinkedIN and Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel

EEO Statement

ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.