Senior Process Engineer – Electrochemical Reagent Generation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Stock options

Paid parental leave

Flexible time off

401k plan

Job summary

Lilac Solutions, based in Oakland, is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to own the evaluation, development, optimization, and integration of reagent generation technologies including BPED, chlor-alkali, electrolysis, and other acid/base generation systems.

You will lead lab- and pilot-scale work, collaborate across Technology, Engineering, Projects, and Operations, and help scale from demonstration to commercial deployment; this role involves international travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, chemistry or related field.
• Approximately 4-8 years of relevant experience in electrochemical systems, membrane processes, process development, or related technologies.
• Hands‑on experience with pilot-, demonstration-, or commercial‑scale electrochemical, membrane, reagent generation, or related process equipment.
• Strong process engineering fundamentals including 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.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory‑ and pilot‑scale experiments to characterize and optimize reagent generation systems.
• Develop a fundamental understanding of key equipment and operating tradeoffs, including reagent concentration, efficiency, energy consumption, membrane lifetime and 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, recycle streams, utilities, water balance, and waste streams.

Skills

Electrochemical systems

Membrane processes

Process development

Technoeconomic analysis

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in chemical/other relevant field

Job description

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 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 a Senior Process Engineer – Electrochemical Reagent Generation to 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 technical lead for reagent generation and will be responsible for advancing these technologies from laboratory testing and vendor evaluation through pilot- and demonstration-scale process design and ultimately commercial-scale deployment. 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 and optimize reagent generation systems.
• Develop a fundamental understanding of key equipment and operating tradeoffs, including reagent concentration, efficiency, energy consumption, membrane lifetime and 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, recycle streams, utilities, water balance, and waste streams.

Vendor Evaluation & Technical Due Diligence

• Lead technical evaluation and due diligence of reagent generation technologies and equipment 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 and maintain CAPEX and OPEX models for reagent generation systems.
• Evaluate technoeconomic tradeoffs between technologies, vendors, system configurations, operating conditions, and integration strategies.
• Work cross‑functionally to identify reagent 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 internal teams.
• 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 mindset and contribute beyond reagent generation when projects require it.
• Work effectively across internal teams and external vendors.
• Be comfortable moving between hands‑on experimental work, equipment troubleshooting, technical analysis and process design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, chemistry or related field.
• Approximately 4-8 years of relevant experience in electrochemical systems, membrane processes, process development, or related technologies.
• Hands‑on experience with pilot-, demonstration-, or commercial‑scale electrochemical, membrane, reagent generation, or related process equipment.
• Strong process engineering fundamentals including 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.
• Experience scaling new process technologies from laboratory through pilot, demonstration, or commercial deployment.
• Experience with high‑TDS brines or 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.

A Note to Third-Party Recruiters

At this time, we are not accepting unsolicited resumes from non‑partnered third‑party recruiters or staffing agencies. Resumes sent without prior arrangement will be considered the property of Lilac Solutions, and no fees will be paid if we hire a candidate whose resume was submitted unsolicited.

The Pay Range For This Role Is

135,000 - 175,000 USD per year (Oakland)