Sr. Process Engineer

UCLA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute for Carbon Management at UCLA is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to lead multidisciplinary teams from feasibility through demonstration-scale plants, translating concepts into scalable solutions and coordinating with internal teams and external partners.

You will drive day-to-day R&D, manage capital projects, and contribute to the development of carbon removal technologies and related software solutions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in chemical process design for metallurgical/oil refining/petrochemical/gas processing industries.
• 5+ years as project engineer/manager delivering capital projects.
• Proficiency with Aspen Plus modeling/simulation (Required).
• Experience with electrochemical systems (Preferred).
• Experience with EPC teams (Preferred).
• Strong communication across internal/external stakeholders (Required).
• Fabrication/prototyping knowledge across process environments (Required).
• Strong chemistry knowledge (Preferred).
• Interest in climate technologies and sustainability (Preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from feasibility and pre-FEED through design, construction, and delivery of demonstration-scale plants.
• Drive day-to-day R&D and translate concepts into scalable real-world solutions.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners/vendors to ensure project success.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Structured thinking

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering

Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

Aspen Icarus

Job description

Department Summary

The Institute for Carbon Management (ICM) is a cross-campus technology-translation entity at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). ICM translates pioneering carbon management strategies from the laboratory/bench-scale to pre-commercial/commercial-scale devices, prototypes, and software solutions. ICM's activities span two major focus areas: (1) Technologies for CO2 removal (from the atmosphere and the ocean), utilization, and avoidance (2) Technologies for creating new supply chains, and processing approaches for critical materials and elements (e.g., Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Mo) that are foundational to accelerating the clean energy transition, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of extractive processes. ICM is organized into action teams that are convergent, agile, and world-class. Prominently, these action teams have enabled ICM-born technologies to be awarded the NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE and the 2021 Liveability Challenge, among others. ICM's technologies are now being commercialized via spin-out companies, including CarbonBuilt Inc., Concrete-AI Inc., and Equatic Inc.

Position Summary

ICM is seeking an experienced Senior Process Engineer to join a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists developing carbon removal technologies with global impact. This role will lead projects from early-stage feasibility and pre-FEED through the design, construction, and delivery of demonstration-scale plants, requiring a strong blend of process engineering and project engineering expertise. Reporting to the Institute Director and Project Lead, this individual will drive day-to-day research and development activities, working closely with both internal teams and external stakeholders, including partners and vendors. The role requires hands‑on technical leadership, effective cross‑functional collaboration, and the ability to translate innovative concepts into scalable, real‑world solutions. The successful candidate will collaborate with a diverse group of subject matter experts in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment focused on delivering measurable results.

Salary & Compensation

• UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits.

Qualifications

• 5 or more years Experience in chemical process design and developing basic or detailed engineering packages for metallurgical or oil refining/petrochemical/gas processing/chemical industries. (Required)
• 5 or more years Experience as a project engineer/manager in delivering /supporting capital projects. (Required)
• Experience with process simulation (e.g. Aspen Plus). (Preferred)
• Experience with electrochemical systems including electrolyzers and fuel cells. (Preferred)
• Has worked for, or with, EPC teams in both office and project-site locations. (Preferred)
• Proficiency with Aspen Plus modeling and simulation, and Aspen Icarus cost estimation tools. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, collaborate across functions, and communicate effectively to drive results. (Required)
• Working knowledge of diverse fabrication and prototyping methods across multiple process environments. (Required)
• Solid foundation in core engineering principles. (Required)
• Demonstrated ability of taking ownership, being driven and result oriented, holding yourself and others accountable for success. (Required)
• Excellent communication skills, forthcoming in interpersonal relationships and able to work seamlessly across internal stakeholders, partners and external vendors. (Required)
• Highly structured thinking, including the ability to define overarching development plans, and to track plan execution among different team members and internal/external partners. (Required)
• Strong chemistry knowledge. (Preferred)
• Strong interest in climate technologies and sustainability solutions. (Preferred)

Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering, preferably in Chemical Engineering. (Required)
• Master's Degree in engineering, preferably in Chemical Engineering. (Preferred)

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Schedule

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Union/Policy Covered

TX-Systemwide Technical