Lead Cryogenic Process Engineer

Interlune Corporation; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Paid time off

Company holidays

Job summary

Interlune Corporation seeks a Lead Cryogenic Process Engineer to head the cryogenic distillation program and mentor engineers and scientists across Earth and space applications. The role encompasses end-to-end hardware development, design reviews, and hands-on lab leadership in a fast-paced, frontier-tech environment.

Requires 8+ years in gas separation or related cryogenic systems, experience with government-funded grants, and strong risk management and safety controls for high-pressure

Qualifications

• BS in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.
• 8+ years in cryogenic gas separation and purification.
• Experience mentoring engineers and leading projects.
• Hands-on with cryogenic equipment and safety controls.
• Experience with government-funded research grants.

Responsibilities

• Lead cryogenic distillation system development from concept to manufacturing.
• Mentor a team of engineers in chemical processing and materials science.
• Own end-to-end project management from build to testing and implementation.
• Lead design reviews for system and subsystem designs.
• Use instrumentation to analyze gas mixtures.
• Develop plant process control schemes.
• Design manufacturing and test capabilities to support responsibilities.
• Ensure safety protocols for high-pressure and cryogenic systems.

Skills

Cryogenic distillation

People management

Laboratory supervision

Gas analysis

Proposal writing

Education

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Vacuum chambers

Heat exchangers

Pumps and compressors

Job description

Interlune is a space infrastructure and natural resources company based in Seattle, WA. We are building the industrial backbone of the space economy.We are looking for a Doer who wants to join our early-stage team and accelerate humanity’s progress toward an off-world future. Our technical team combines expert knowledge of planetary sciences, electrical engineering, automation, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and advanced fabrication to build the infrastructure that will create an in-space economy. To join our small team, you must be agile, willing to learn, and able to take on multiple roles as needed.As the Lead Cryogenic Process Engineer, you will join as a senior leader of Interlune’s engineering team. You will lead the cryogenic distillation project and work alongside other engineers and scientists to develop isotopic separation systems for use on Earth and in space. This position is full-time at our headquarters in Seattle, WA, or our Interlune Research Lab in Houston, TX.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a cryogenic distillation system, driving hardware development from concept through the design, analysis, prototype, test, and manufacturing phases.
• Manage and mentor a team of engineers specializing in chemical processing and materials science.
• Demonstrate complete end-to-end project ownership and management, leading the build, testing, and implementation of the hardware you design.
• Lead design reviews as system and subsystem designs are established and refined.
• Use advanced instrumentation for the identification and analysis of the composition of gas mixtures.
• Develop robust plant process control schemes.
• Design and develop manufacturing and test capabilities to support all areas of responsibility.
• Ensure rigorous personnel safety protocols when operating and testing high-pressure and/or cryogenic systems.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical subject area.
• 8+ years of experience in the design and development of experiments, systems, and methods for the separation and purification of gas mixtures (e.g., cryogenic distillation, chemical absorption-regeneration loops, and membrane separation).
• Direct people and project management experience, with professional and technical mentorship of early-career and peer employees
• Familiarity with cryogenic engineering equipment including vacuum chambers, joint design, heat exchangers, vacuum pumps and compressors.
• Practical hands-on experience setting up and managing lab facilities for cryogenic fluid experiments, including the implementation of safety controls.
• Practical experience writing successful government-funded research grant proposals.
• Practical hands-on experience building hardware, including integrated hardware/software systems.

Desired Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, or a related technical subject area.
• Former Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator role on a government-funded research grant.
• Familiarity with common manufacturing methods (machining, welding, hand and power tools, etc.).
• Experience working on an in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) project, extracting resources from regolith using chemical or thermal processes.
• Knowledge of and practical experience with common methods for sample analysis, such as mass spectrometry, laser spectroscopy, particle size analysis, and gas chromatography.

Export Control Regulations

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants for employment at Interlune must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Interlune is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on creating our off-world future.

Interlune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Compensation

Compensation range for employees is:Target Levels: Level 4 Range: $150,000 - $250,000

We will consider candidates with a wide variety of experience levels for this position. Your actual level and base salary will be decided based on your specific experience and skill level.

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short and long-term disability, and other benefits
• Paid Time Off: Flexible PTO policy with paid company holidays.