Scale-up Process Engineer

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 223,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedule

DOE clearance support

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA, seeks Scale-Up Process Engineers to develop and test pilot chromatography processes for a biobased program. The role supports scale-up to 10 kg/week with automated pilot systems and a hybrid schedule, enabling some remote work.

The position is offered at SES.2 or SES.3 level based on experience; duties include design, data analysis, documentation, and cross-functional collaboration to meet challenging milestones.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain DOE Q clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; lab or pilot-plant experience.
• At least 2 years in chemical process design or industrial tech development.
• Experience with pilot-plant operations and equipment selection (SOPs).
• Familiarity with ASME, NFPA, API, cGMP, GDP, OSHA standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and verification of pilot-scale chromatography processes.
• Prepare technical docs; trend performance, yield and purity data.
• Manage equipment selection and contractor coordination for scale-up.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team to meet milestones and deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and safety procedures.

Skills

Process design

Pilot-plant operations

Data interpretation

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master’s or doctoral degree (SES.3 level)

Tools

Compressors

Pumps

Mass flow controllers

Solenoid valves

Instrumentation

Job description

Reference #: REF8754V
Job Code: SES.2 Science & Engineering MTS 2 / SES.3 Science & Engineering MTS 3
Organization: Engineering
Position Type: Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

We are hiring multiple Scale-Up Process Engineers to support a new facility and research program. The team will develop and test the processes and equipment needed to scale up a new biobased chromatography process. Over the next two years, the program will focus on producing active materials at scale and demonstrating an automated pilot-plant process capable of producing 10 kg of material per week.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Gather, develop, and interpret process engineering requirements; conduct experiments; and develop and interpret technical design drawings to understand the manufacturing, design, and operational requirements for new pilot systems.
• Perform engineering calculations and sizing estimates to determine the appropriate materials, volumes, chemical compatibility, dimensions, and functionality required for successful operation of custom pilot units.
• Lead data collection and recommend appropriate equipment, instrumentation, vendors, and modeling or simulation approaches to support successful pilot-plant operations.
• Prepare technical documentation; trend performance, yield, and purity data; and perform root-cause analyses to validate pilot-unit performance and identify potential issues in the chromatography process. Apply knowledge of materials, bioengineering, manufacturing, and process controls and monitoring to resolve issues efficiently.
• Provide input on resolving technical issues and support continued technology development for future research and development projects.
• Communicate effectively and thrive in a multidisciplinary environment with an accelerated project schedule and challenging milestones and deliverables.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Lead day-to-day laboratory activities for the installation, setup, and operation of multiple custom laboratory- and pilot-scale chromatography column platforms, including motion systems, tooling, sensors, analytical equipment, and automation and process controls. Ensure accurate and repeatable process setup, material balances, and monitoring to support successful product production.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team of stakeholders, including designers, engineers, analysts, chemists, materials scientists, technicians, subcontractors, and manufacturers, to complete scale-up activities in alignment with program and sponsor leadership.
• Maintain troubleshooting, maintenance, process, procedure, test-unit, and pilot-plant documentation, and recommend and implement improvements.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or another related engineering specialty, with experience working in laboratory or pilot-plant settings.
• At least two years of experience in chemical process design, process engineering, technology development for industrial applications, or an industry sector such as energy production or chemical manufacturing.
• Expertise in process design, pilot-plant operations, and equipment selection, including familiarity with compressors, pumps, mass flow controllers, solenoid valves, and instrumentation.
• Experience applying industry standards such as ASME, NFPA, API, cGMP, GDP, and OSHA, to pilot equipment and procedures, as well as experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Project management and leadership experience, including the ability to guide contractors and tradespeople in building custom laboratory and pilot systems on schedule and within budget.
• Master’s or doctoral degree in chemical, mechanical, industrial, or materials engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Proficiency with column chromatography, including method development and optimization for chromatographic separations, column packing, equilibration, qualification, solution preparation, system maintenance, and equipment troubleshooting.

Pay Range

$146,340 - $222,564 Annually
$146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level
$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

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