Senior Engineer

ReSource Chemical; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ReSource Chemical, based in Oakland, CA, seeks an experienced chemical engineer to lead and optimize the design of scalable processing equipment for FDCA production. The role focuses on process design, heat transport, and control system integration across multiple product lines.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in chemical engineering, hands-on experience with AutoCAD and PLC/DCS controls, and a track record of managing heavy electrical and instrumentation challenges in pilot or plant

Qualifications

• BS or higher in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• >10 years of industry experience preferred.
• Experience repairing/reconfiguring used equipment.
• Experience configuring 480V electrical systems.
• Experience designing/analysing thermal-fluid systems (coolant loops, heat exchangers, vessels).
• Experience with AutoCAD, Bluebeam for drafting.
• Experience with PLC-based automation (Rockwell, Siemens).
• Experience with UI/HMI screen design.
• Experience configuring networks to interface with equipment.
• Experience designing control panels and upgrades.
• Experience installing/troubleshooting motor controls, VFDs, and Soft-Starts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct engineering studies and preparing design packages.
• Design and evaluate system configurations for heat transport and water/steam handling.
• Support component specification and procurement for pumps, valves, instrumentation, mixing tanks, and heat exchangers.
• Design and fabricate custom equipment tailored to different products.
• Contribute to process hazard assessments (PHAs) and mitigation.

Skills

Process design

PHA mitigation

Heat transfer

PLC automation

Electrical systems

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

HMI design

Control panels

VFDs/Soft-Starts

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Siemens PLC

DCS systems

HMI software

Job description

Company Overview

Plastics have become indispensable for nearly every major industry, but conventional plastics impose an unsustainable burden on the environment. Plastic production currently accounts for 8% of global oil and gas use and nearly 5% of GHG emissions. More than 250 million tons of plastic waste accumulates annually, the vast majority of which will persist for centuries. ReSource's proprietary technology will produce the first bioplastic that is made from truly sustainable feedstocks and outperforms incumbent materials without the environmental burden or health risks. We are commercializing an industrially scalable process for producing FDCA, which is a naturally occurring chemical that serves as a replacement for the petrochemical monomer PTA used to make polyesters such as PET. Polyester represents a >$100B industry, with applications spanning packaging, bottles, and fibers. Polyesters made using FDCA have superior gas barrier, thermal, and mechanical properties compared to the petrochemical incumbents, which translates into better performance with less material, including increased shelf life for perishable goods. They are also 100% recyclable and degrade much faster than conventional polyester if released into the environment. Beyond polyesters, FDCA is a platform molecule that can be used to make a wide range of other polymers and specialty chemicals. Past efforts to commercialize such products have been hampered by the high complexity and cost of the manufacturing pathways chosen to make FDCA, all of which use edible sugars as raw materials. In contrast, ReSource produces FDCA from CO2 and inedible biomass and removes two thirds of the conventional process steps, resulting in dramatically reduced production cost that enable rapid scale-up and high-volume applications. Bioplastics made using ReSource FDCA have the potential to eliminate >250 Mton yr-1 GHG emissions.

The company is in Oakland, CA and was founded on technology developed at Stanford University. Backed by leading investors including Khosla Ventures, Fathom Fund, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, we are currently preparing to commence pilot and demo-scale production. To date, ReSource has raised >$25M, including nearly $9M in R&D grants from the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated chemical engineer to join the team. The ideal candidate is an innovative thinker with a passion for problem-solving and an ability to build out robust chemical processing equipment. The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Conducting engineering studies and preparing design packages.
• Designing and evaluating system configurations for heat transport and water/steam handling.
• Supporting component specification and procurement for pumps, valves, instrumentation, mixing tanks, and heat exchangers.
• Designing and fabricating custom equipment that is tailored to different products.
• Contributing to process hazard assessments (PHAs) and mitigation.

Qualifications And Skills

• BS or higher degree in Chemical Engineering or related field with >10 years of industry experience.
• Experience in repairing and reconfiguring used equipment to use with different processes.
• Experience in configuring 480V electrical systems.
• Experience in designing or analyzing thermal-fluid systems such as coolant loops, heat exchangers, or pressure vessels is required.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, or similar software for drafting is required.
• Experience with PLC-based automation (Rockwell, Siemens, etc.) is required.
• Experience configuring user interface and HMI screens is required.
• Experience configuring DDC, PLC, and/or DCS control algorithms is required.
• Experience in configuring networks to interface with equipment is required.
• Must have experience designing control panels: design and implement control upgrades.
• Prior experience in installing and troubleshooting motor controls, VFDs, and Soft-Starts is required.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Prior chemical pilot-plant build-out is highly preferred.