Senior Process Engineer – Electrochemical Reagent Generation

Lilac Solutions, Inc.; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401k with matching

Paid holidays

Discretionary bonus

Eight weeks of paid parental leave

Monthly phone stipend

Job summary

Lilac Solutions, Inc. in Oakland, CA, seeks a Senior Process Engineer to own the evaluation, development, optimization, and integration of reagent generation technologies, including BPED, chlor-alkali, and electrolysis.

You will lead lab- and pilot-scale work, translate findings into design criteria, and collaborate across Technology, Engineering, Projects, and Operations to deploy reagent generation solutions. Travel up to 25% to pilot and project sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and relevant engineering background required.
• Experience with electrochemical systems, membrane processes, or related technologies.
• Strong fundamentals in process scale-up, equipment integration, and technoeconomic analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute lab- and pilot-scale experiments to characterize reagent generation systems.
• Develop understanding of equipment tradeoffs, efficiency, energy use, and membrane lifetime.
• Translate findings into equipment requirements and design criteria for pilot- and demonstration-scale systems.
• Evaluate upstream/downstream interactions and utilities, water balance, and waste streams.
• Lead technical evaluation and due diligence of reagent generation technologies and suppliers.
• Develop CAPEX/OPEX models and assess technoeconomic tradeoffs.

Skills

Process engineering

Scale-up

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, chemistry or related field

Job description

Senior Process Engineer – Electrochemical Reagent Generation

Lilac Solutions, Inc. Oakland, California, United States

About this position

About Lilac Solutions, Inc.

Lilac exists to solve one problem: lithium supply. By engineering scalable lithium extraction technology, we help industries produce lithium faster, cheaper, and cleaner. Our ion exchange technology is rooted in scientific precision and commercial know-how, making lithium supply a non-issue for global electrification. Our materials, engineering, and approach uniquely position us to design and develop commercial projects across various lithium sources. We help lithium producers rapidly and responsibly scale production from brine resources with versatile, cost-effective, and dynamic technology solutions.

Lilac is supported by the largest players from the mining and processing industry, as well as significant investment funds. Lilac investors include BMW, SK, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mercuria, Lower Carbon Capital, and MIT’s The Engine.

About the role

Lilac is seeking aSenior Process Engineer –ElectrochemicalReagent Generationto own the technical evaluation, development, optimization, and integration of reagent generation technologies, including bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPED), chlor-alkali, electrolysis, and other potential acid/base generation systems.

This role will serve as Lilac’s in-house technicalleadfor reagent generation and willbe responsible foradvancing these technologies from laboratory testing and vendor evaluation through pilot- and demonstration-scale process design andultimately commercial-scaledeployment.

This is a highly collaborative and hands-on position working across Technology, Engineering, Projects, and Operations to develop and deploy reagent generation solutions within Lilac’s overall process flowsheet.This is a full-time position with up to 25% domestic and international travel to pilot and project sites.

What you'll do

Process Development, Integration&Experimental Work

Design and execute laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments to characterize andoptimizereagent generation systems.

Develop a fundamental understanding of key equipment and operating tradeoffs, including reagent concentration, efficiency, energy consumption,membranelifetimeand equipment performance.

Translate experimental findings into equipment requirements, operating parameters, and design criteria for pilot- and demonstration-scale systems.

Evaluate interactions with upstream and downstream unit operations, including reagent storage,recyclestreams, utilities, water balance, and waste streams.

Vendor Evaluation & Technical Due Diligence

Lead technical evaluationand due diligenceof reagentgenerationtechnologies andequipment suppliers.

Critically assess vendor proposals, process designs, performance guarantees, equipment scope, and operating assumptions.

Normalize vendor quotations to enable meaningful comparisons across technologies and suppliers.

Develop structured technical recommendations for technology and vendor selection.

Technoeconomic Analysis

Develop andmaintainCAPEX and OPEX models for reagent generation systems.

Evaluate technoeconomic tradeoffs between technologies, vendors, system configurations, operating conditions, and integration strategies.

Workcross-functionallytoidentifyreagent generation solutions that provide the best combination of cost, efficiency, reliability, and operability.

Scale-up & Deployment

Support the design, commissioning, and operation of pilot- and demonstration-scale reagent generation systems.

Troubleshoot equipment and process performance in collaboration with vendors and internalteams.

Translate operating experience into improved equipment specifications, design criteria, and operating strategies.

Develop the technical basis for eventual commercial-scale deployment.

Team Contribution

Operate with a team-first mindsetand contribute beyond reagent generation when projectsrequireit.

Work effectively acrossinternal teamsand external vendors.

Be comfortable moving between hands-on experimental work, equipment troubleshooting,technical analysisand process design.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering,materials science,chemistryor related field.

Approximately 4-8years of relevant experience in electrochemical systems, membrane processes,process development, or related technologies.

Hands-on experience with pilot-, demonstration-, or commercial-scaleelectrochemical, membrane,reagent generation, or relatedprocess equipment.

Strong process engineering fundamentalsincluding process scale-up, equipment integration, and technoeconomic analysis.

Strong troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Pass a respirator fit test periodically, occasionally stand for up to 8 hours per day, occasionally move up to 50 lbs, and wear PPE.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience with BPED/BMED, electrodialysis, chlor-alkali, electrolysis, or other reagent generation technologies.

Experiencescaling new process technologies from laboratory through pilot, demonstration, or commercial deployment.

Experience with high-TDS brinesor concentrated electrolytes.

Experience in lithium processing, DLE, brine processing, or other critical minerals applications.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation for this role is based on relevant experience, skills, and overall fit for the role. The range provided represents our typical compensation for this position, though actual pay may fall outside this range depending on qualifications.

• Annual base salary of $135,000 - $175,000
• Discretionary bonus
• Stock options
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401k with pre- and post-tax investing options
• Flexible spendings account/Health savings account
• Group and term life
• Flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Eight weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Monthly phone stipend
• Daily catered lunch for on-site employees

The salary range listed reflects our good-faith estimate of the compensation for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined by a number of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant skills, experience, and geographic location.

EEO Statement

Lilac Solutions is committed to providing a professional work environment free from discrimination and harassment, including discrimination and harassment based on a protected category, and an environment free from retaliation for participating in any protected activity. Lilac Solutions is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.