Senior Process Engineer

Aspen Aerogels, Inc.; East Providence (RI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k Employer Match

Life and Disability Insurance

Job summary

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Process Engineer to drive the development of aerogel manufacturing methods and technologies. You will lead cross-disciplinary teams with R&D, Plant Engineering, and Manufacturing to optimize production and scale up new products from lab data to full commercial scale.

The role requires 5+ years in process design, a BSME or BSChE, and strong analytical and leadership skills. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits in Rhode Island.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in process design and development in a manufacturing environment.
• Broad knowledge of chemical process development, with focus on silica-related processes.
• Experience with pilot and high-volume manufacturing operations and scaling from lab to production.

Responsibilities

• Lead technically transformational process change in aerogel manufacturing in collaboration with R&D.
• Identify and implement new product and process improvements in safety, capacity, yield and cost.
• Interpret product design requirements to determine feasibility and manufacturing steps.
• Transfer new technologies and processes into the company.
• Set project goals by collaborating with Marketing and Operations.
• Support scale-up activities and develop robust commercial-scale processes.
• Analyze process and quality data to optimize manufacturing.

Skills

Process design

Process development

Pilot manufacturing

Chemical engineering

Analytical methods

Lab experiments

Manufacturing operations

Statistical analysis

Leadership

Education

BSME

BSChE

Job description

What we do-

Aspen is a technology leader in sustainability and electrification solutions. The Company's aerogel technology enables its customers and partners to achieve their own objectives around the global megatrends of resource efficiency, e-mobility, and clean energy. Aspen's PyroThin products enable solutions to thermal runaway challenges within the electric vehicle ("EV") market. The Company's Cryogel and Pyrogel products are valued by the world's largest energy infrastructure companies. Aspen's strategy is to partner with world-class industry leaders to leverage its Aerogel Technology Platform into additional high-value markets. Aspen is headquartered in Northborough, Mass.

What we value-

At Aspen, our values reflect who we are and how we work both with each other and our customers, suppliers, and communities. They shape our interactions, guide our decisions, and inspire us to bring our best. Whether collaborating internally or externally, our values drive us to make a meaningful impact within Aspen and in all our relationships.

Aspen's CORE Values

• We Do the Right Thing
• We are Problem Solvers
• We are Allies
• We Drive Forward

What you will do-

The Sr. Process Engineer will report to the Senior Manager, Production Support. The Engineer will be responsible for driving functional excellence in the area of aerogel manufacturing by providing strategic, technical and new process design and development support for the R&D and manufacturing teams. Under the direction of the Senior Manager, the Engineer will lead the design of future aerogel manufacturing methods and process technologies. The Engineer will also assist with optimizing production of existing products, trialing and scaling up of new products.

How will you do it-

• Lead technically transformational process change in manufacturing partnering with R&D to develop next generation manufacturing of aerogel composites.
• Partner with R&D and Plant Engineering to identify, develop and execute new product and new process improvements in the areas of safety, production capacity, yield and cost reduction.
• Partner with R&D to interpret product design requirements to determine feasibility, process steps required, and cost to manufacture.
• Transfer new technologies, products, and manufacturing processes into the Company.
• Establish project goals and priorities by collaborating with Marketing and Operations.
• Support the successful introduction of new products and processes. Lead and/or execute the experimental work required to support scale up activities and develop a robust commercial scale aerogel manufacturing process from small-scale laboratory data.
• Analyze process and quality data to improve/troubleshoot the aerogel manufacturing process
• Partner with R&D, Plant Engineering and Manufacturing to support trial manufacturing runs.
• Coordinate and/or lead troubleshooting of aerogel manufacturing processes to determine root cause of failure modes.
• Develop and implement corrective actions to mitigate failure modes
• Provide technical guidance, coaching and training to Plant Engineering and Manufacturing.
• Lead or support project teams through developmental phases of engineering projects related to process equipment including conceptual design of both process and equipment. Transfer design requirements to Plant Engineering for detailed design, equipment procurement, construction, installation, start up, commissioning, validation, and qualification of facilities and/or equipment.
• Build upon lab and trial generated best practices to establish and implement full scale standards, documentation and procedures for all new and existing products to ensure manufacturing capabilities.
• Adopt and follow Aspen's core values of Safety, Quality, Integrity, Teamwork, Customer and Innovation on both a personal and professional level.

Why you are right for the job-

• Minimum 5+ years' experience in process design and development (process engineering, technology evaluation and deployment, unit operation).
• BSME or BSChE is required, with appropriate experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in a Chemical Processing operation.
• Broad knowledge of chemical process development, preferably with a focus on silica synthesis and modification.
• Alternatively, a board knowledge of coating, casting, web handling and/or oven drying operations is required.
• Experience with pilot and high-volume manufacturing operations, and the process of transitioning new products/processes from lab to pilot and full commercial manufacturing.
• Hands on experience with analytical method development.
• Hands on lab or pilot plant experience running experiments
• History of working in a manufacturing operations environment.
• Experience with research and analytic techniques. Ability to apply statistical analysis and/or practical experience to make sound conclusions and use to optimize process development activities.
• Ability and willingness to lead and do work.
• Innate intellectual curiosity.
• Predisposed to leverage analytic reason, creativity, and judgment.
• Well-developed influencing skills - ability to inspire confidence and drive consensus.
• Ability to handle complex matters across multiple initiatives.
• Intellectual agility to deal effectively with strategic issues and operational details.
• Ability to effectively influence and motivate external and internal stakeholders.

What to expect-

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Frequently required to stand
• Occasionally required to walk
• Frequently required to sit
• Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Frequently works near moving mechanical parts
• Frequently works around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• Occasionally exposed to extreme heat or cold (non-weather)
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• The Engineer must occasionally lift and/or move more than 10 pounds.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PERKS OF JOINING OUR TEAM!

Aspen is committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package, a positive and productive work environment, encouraged work/life and family balance, and opportunities for growth and development, in a culture that is focused on inclusion, sustainability, and working together to solve the world's toughest challenges.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Holidays
• Sick Time
• PTO
• 401k Employer Match
• Life and Disability Insurance
• and other benefits

Expected Compensation: Between $130,000 and $150,000 USD/year based on experience.

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call and leave a voice message at [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information and we will return your message.

For Our Rhode Island Applicants:

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The East Providence, RI facility of Aspen Aerogels is subject to Title 28, Chapter 29-6.2 of Rhode Island General Laws, which governs Worker's Compensation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.