Sr. Process Operations Engineer — Methane-to-Methanol Commercialization

Emvolon; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Paid time off

Equity: restricted stock units

Job summary

Emvolon is seeking a Senior Process Operations Engineer in Houston, TX to lead the commissioning, startup, and ongoing performance of a first-of-a-kind methane-to-methanol system. This role requires hands-on ownership from commissioning through first-year operations and continuous improvement.

You will drive startup/shutdown procedures, RAT execution, and data-driven optimization while coordinating with R&D, engineering, and business development to translate learnings into design improvements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• 5-10 years of process or operations engineering experience, including plant startup and commissioning.
• Hands-on experience operating or commissioning new process systems without established precedents.
• Strong background in gas processing, reactor-based systems, or methanol/syngas operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant commissioning and startup activities on-site during first gas introduction, ramp-up, and performance optimization.
• Develop and continuously improve startup, shutdown, and steady-state operating procedures for the full system and subsystems.
• Drive RAT execution with defined entry criteria, data collection, and real-time troubleshooting.
• Monitor plant performance against design basis and lead corrective actions for underperformance.
• Lead planned maintenance shutdowns, PSSRs, and post-startup operational reviews.
• Coordinate with R&D, engineering, and business development to translate learnings into design improvements.
• Maintain the operating knowledge base with logs, reports, and procedural revisions.

Skills

Startup experience

Process optimization

DCS/PLC knowledge

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen or equivalent

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Process Operations Engineer to lead the operational readiness, startup, and ongoing performance of a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) methane-to-methanol conversion system. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role for an engineer who thrives in the space between commissioning and steady-state operations - someone who knows what it takes to bring a novel process online, keep it running reliably, and systematically improve its performance over time.

The role spans the critical transition from fabrication and commissioning through startup, reliability acceptance testing, and first-year commercial operations. It requires the discipline of an experienced plant engineer and the adaptability of someone who has operated in environments where the playbook is still being written.

About Emvolon

Emvolon Inc. ( www.emvolon.com ) is an MIT climate-tech spin-off on a mission to convert greenhouse gas emissions into carbon-negative fuels and chemicals, including green methanol and green ammonia. Leveraging our patented technology, we transform internal combustion engines into cost-effective, modular chemical plants - enabling industries from maritime to agriculture to power the global economy without emissions.

Backed by grants from ARPA-E, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Science Foundation, and supported by strong industrial partnerships and binding commercial contracts, we are now transitioning from demonstrated science to deployed commercial asset. This is the phase where operational engineering judgment matters most.

Key responsibilities

• Lead plant commissioning and startup activities, serving as the primary technical presence on-site during first-gas introduction, capacity ramp-up, and performance optimization
• Own the development and continuous improvement of startup, shutdown, and steady-state operating procedures for the full system and each individual subsystem
• Drive Reliability Acceptance Testing (RAT) execution - defining entry criteria, overseeing data collection, troubleshooting deviations in real time, and ensuring successful completion
• Monitor and analyze plant performance against design basis; identify root causes of underperformance and lead corrective action
• Lead planned maintenance shutdowns, pre-startup safety reviews (PSSRs), and post-startup operational reviews
• Coordinate with R&D, engineering, and business development teams to translate operational learnings into design improvements for future units
• Build and maintain the plant operating knowledge base - shift logs, incident reports, equipment history, and as-operated procedure revisions - that will underpin the next-of-a-kind (NOAK) design basis
• Support HAZOPs, PHAs, and Management of Change (MOC) processes, ensuring process safety is embedded in day-to-day operations

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline
• 5-10 years of process or operations engineering experience, with direct hands-on involvement in plant startup, commissioning, and steady-state operations
• Demonstrated experience operating and/or commissioning newly installed process systems - know how to operate without an established precedent to follow
• Substantive background in gas processing, reactor-based systems, or methanol/syngas operations
• Strong working knowledge of DCS/PLC control systems, alarm management, and process instrumentation
• Proficiency in process simulation tools (Aspen or equivalent) sufficient to support operational troubleshooting and process optimization
• Solid grounding in process safety frameworks, including PSSR, MOC, HAZOP participation, and applicable API, ASME, and NFPA codes
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Preferred qualifications

• Experience developing and implementing operating procedures, control philosophies, and training programs for a new or FOAK plant
• Familiarity with Reliability Acceptance Testing (RAT) protocols and performance guarantee processes
• Background in renewable natural gas (RNG), alternative fuels, or gas-to-chemicals processing
• Experience in early-stage clean technology or startup environments, where operational systems are being built from scratch
• Familiarity with plant KPI frameworks - availability, specific energy consumption, yield, mean time between failure - and experience using data to drive operational improvements

What this role offers

For an engineer looking to move beyond routine operations into something genuinely consequential:

• Direct ownership of a FOAK plant's operational performance from Day 1 - your decisions shape how this technology runs at commercial scale
• The experience of building an operating system from the ground up, including procedures, control philosophy, and the institutional knowledge base that will define future units
• Broad cross-functional exposure across R&D, engineering, and commercial teams - not a siloed operations role
• The professional distinction of having taken a first-of-a-kind clean energy technology from commissioning through reliable commercial operation

Work location and travel

Emvolon headquarters are located in Woburn, MA, but this is a full-time position located in Houston, TX. Frequent travel to our headquarter site will be required during the initial onboarding period. Beyond onboarding, a 100% remote setup in Houston is to be expected. Candidates will support collaboration and oversight with our project partners.

Expect periodic travel to fabrication yards, partner facilities, and pilot plant sites during key phases of project execution.

Compensation and benefits

We offer a compensation package designed to attract experienced engineers who are considering transition from established EPC or operating company environments into early-stage technology commercialization. The expected range for a candidate meeting the core requirements of this role is $120,000 - $170,000 annually, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and depth of relevant technical background.

Equity:

As an early-stage technology company, we offer equity participation in the form of restricted stock units, reflecting the opportunity to share in the long-term value created by the work you will lead. Equity grants are commensurate with seniority and role scope.

Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health and dental insurance for employees and dependents
• Paid time off

The compensation range stated above reflects our good-faith estimate for this position at the time of posting, consistent with applicable state and local pay transparency requirements. Final compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications.

At Emvolon, our MIT roots run deep in innovation and rigorous scientific and entrepreneurial pursuits. We champion collaboration, a growth mindset, accountability, and diverse perspectives, all while prioritizing employee support and a flexible work environment.

Emvolon is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by the law.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.