Lead Process Engineer – Fuel Cracking & Hydrogen Systems

Newlight; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Newlight seeks a Lead Process Engineer to own the ammonia and methanol cracking process, from NH3 feed to engine-grade hydrogen. You will define performance targets, build models, and specify equipment, translating system requirements into vendor-ready designs.

This senior role centers on thermodynamics and gas systems, turning flowsheets into deployable hardware. Collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Safety on overall system design and commissioning readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 3 years in process or chemical engineering, ideally with high-temperature gas systems.
• Hands-on experience with catalyst reactors, furnaces/heaters, and gas cleanup technologies (adsorption, scrubbing, PSA, membranes).
• Strong ability to translate process requirements into vendor-ready equipment datasheets.
• Experience producing PFDs, P&IDs, and process documentation.
• Clear technical communication and comfort working cross-functionally and on-site.

Responsibilities

• Define the complete process chain: NH₃ vaporization and preheat, cracking reactor, heat recovery, NH₃ slip mitigation, drying/filtration, compression, and buffering.
• Build mass and energy balances and steady-state process models (Aspen/HYSYS preferred; Python or spreadsheets acceptable).
• Specify product gas targets (H₂ purity, NH₃ slip, dew point), turndown ratios, ramp rates, and operating envelopes.
• Author equipment specifications for reactor, heater, heat exchangers, separators, scrubbers/adsorbers, compressors, valves, and instrumentation.
• Develop PFDs and P&IDs; maintain process datasheets and instrument lists.
• Lead RFQs with vendors, evaluate bids, and support technical sourcing decisions.
• Define utility loads (electrical, thermal, cooling) and system performance assumptions.

Skills

Catalyst reactors

Furnaces/Heaters

Gas cleanup technologies

PFDs & P&IDs

Process modeling

Vendor datasheets

Python modeling

Aspen/HYSYS

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS

Python

Spreadsheets

Job description

Newlight’s mission is to accelerate the maritime industry’s transition to sustainable energy by making clean shipping affordable, starting with today’s fleet. We retrofit existing engines with a hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel “plugin” that reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

We’re seeking a Lead Process Engineer to own the end-to-end ammonia/Methanol cracking process, from NH₃ feed to engine-grade hydrogen. You will define performance targets, build process models, specify equipment, and translate system requirements into vendor‑ready designs.

This role is ideal for a senior process engineer who thrives on thermodynamics, gas systems, and turning flowsheets into deployable hardware.

What You Will Be Doing

• Define the complete process chain: NH₃ vaporization and preheat, cracking reactor, heat recovery, NH₃ slip mitigation, drying/filtration, compression, and buffering.
• Build mass and energy balances and steady-state process models (Aspen/HYSYS preferred; Python or spreadsheets acceptable).
• Specify product gas targets (H₂ purity, NH₃ slip, dew point), turndown ratios, ramp rates, and operating envelopes.
• Author equipment specifications for reactor, heater, heat exchangers, separators, scrubbers/adsorbers, compressors, valves, and instrumentation.
• Develop PFDs and P&IDs; maintain process datasheets and instrument lists.
• Lead RFQs with vendors, evaluate bids, and support technical sourcing decisions.
• Define utility loads (electrical, thermal, cooling) and system performance assumptions.
• Collaborate closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Safety on integrated system design, HAZID/HAZOP, and commissioning readiness.

Requirements We Seek

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 3 years in process or chemical engineering, ideally with high-temperature gas systems.
• Hands‑on experience with catalyst reactors, furnaces/heaters, and gas cleanup technologies (adsorption, scrubbing, PSA, membranes).
• Strong ability to translate process requirements into vendor‑ready equipment datasheets.
• Experience producing PFDs, P&IDs, and process documentation.
• Clear technical communication and comfort working cross‑functionally and on‑site.

Ways To Stand Out

• Direct experience with ammonia/Methanol or hydrogen systems.
• Marine integration or shipboard process systems.
• Hazardous‑area design exposure.
• Python-based modeling or custom process tools.
• Prior ownership of commissioning or performance validation of gas‑process equipment.

Why Join Newlight?

• Own the system logic: You will define how ammoniaMethanol becomes clean hydrogen at sea.
• Build something real: Take models and turn them into operating vessels.
• Shape the roadmap: Influence architecture as we scale from pilots to fleets.
• Mission with momentum: Deliver decarbonization on today’s ships, not future concepts.