Thermodynamics Process Modeling

Exxon Mobil; Spring (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ExxonMobil's Houston campus seeks a PhD-level chemical engineer to advance thermodynamics-driven process development and scale-up, applying phase equilibria and physical-property modeling to new technologies with cross-divisional impact.

You will collaborate with experimentalists and process engineers to design models, guide experiments, and mentor teams, contributing to concept-to-deployment of energy solutions in Upstream, Product Solutions, and Low Carbon platforms.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Computational Electrochemistry, or related with focus on thermodynamics.
• Demonstrated experience with developing thermodynamic models and applying them to predict phase equilibria and properties.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar computational languages.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply thermodynamic models for new process technologies across ExxonMobil divisions.
• Collaborate with experimentalists and process engineers to design and refine experiments and scale-up strategies.
• Mentor researchers on modeling fundamentals and practical applications in industry contexts.
• Lead cross-functional discussions on phase equilibria and molecular-level interactions in complex mixtures.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Phase equilibria

Physical properties

Computational languages

Python

MATLAB

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering or related

Tools

Aspen Plus

Aspen HYSYS

PRO-II

Job description

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For well over a century, ExxonMobil has been at the heart of creating and growing a modern world. We embrace the power and promise of technology, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. For billions around the world, lives are better and last longer because of the innovative problem solving and reliable energy we provide. And when it comes to developing industrial solutions to reduce carbon emissions, ExxonMobil is truly the leader.

We don't stop at "good enough." We are committed to doing what's right, even if it's difficult or unpopular. We hold ourselves to high standards, challenge what's possible and invest in innovation to meet society's critical needs.

Real change begins with bold questions, drive, and ambition. Here, your talent, determination and contributions shape how far you'll go and the impact you'll make along the way.

Our future success depends on exceptional people. We invest in developing talent through meaningful work, challenging assignments, mentorship, and experiences that help build the next generation of leaders.

Our Culture

We are uniquely ExxonMobil. Integrity, care, excellence, resilience and courage, these core values determine how we work every day. At ExxonMobil, our values aren't just words— they're how we show up, focused on delivering the right answer, the right way, every day.

About our Houston Campus

ExxonMobil's state-of-the-art campus north of Houston serves as the corporation’s global headquarters and is home to its Upstream, Product Solutions, and Low Carbon Solutions companies and their associated service groups. The facility opened in 2014 and was built to accommodate more than 10,000 employees and visitors.

By bringing many functional groups together, the campus provides employees with the tools and capabilities needed today, and in the future, to achieve business objectives and accelerate the discovery of new resources, technologies and products. It was designed to foster improved collaboration, creativity and innovation and enhance the company’s ability to attract, develop and retain the top talent in the industry.

The campus was constructed to the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. Its design incorporates extensive research into best practices in building and workplace design through extensive benchmarking of the world’s top academic, research, and corporate facilities.

What Role You Will Play in Our Team

By joining the Active Materials and Process Team with ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, you will be an integral technical contributor to process development and scale-up programs applying thermodynamics and chemical engineering fundamentals and process modeling skill sets to tackle process conceptualization and development problems critical to developing new process technologies from concept ideas to commercial scale deployment.

What You Will Do

• Develop and apply fit-for-purpose custom thermodynamic models and implement in process simulators for use in new process technologies with applications across ExxonMobil Business Divisions, Upstream Company, Product Solutions Company, and Low Carbon Solutions
• Work collaboratively within cross-discipline teams with expertise in experimentation (active materials development, lab-scale experiments, and pilot plant studies), process modeling, process engineering and equipment design.
• Continuously improve the value of thermodynamic modeling activities through close interaction with experimentalists to provide guidance on experimental setups and campaigns and in some cases the ability to run experimental work.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical mentor in topics related to applications of thermodynamic models, phase equilibria and physical interaction at molecular and process scale to the research and process engineering community.
• Your success in this role requires an aptitude for and strong background in fundamentals-based modeling, particularly in the area of phase equilibria and physical property models of multi component gas‑hydrocarbon, oxygenated, and electrolytic systems, and a broad interest applying these skills to process conceptualization and development.
• Many problems rely on a sound fundamental understanding of chemical engineering unit operations. With a suitable academic/experience background, this can be further developed through assignments on projects.

About You

Job Requirements

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Computational Electrochemistry, or related discipline with a focus on thermodynamics
• Demonstrated experience with:
  • Developing new thermodynamic models
  • Application of thermodynamic models to predict phase equilibria and physical properties
  • Computational languages:Python, MATLAB, etc.
• Sound knowledge of the energy industry, with emphasis on refining, petrochemical, and low-carbon process technologies
• Strong ability and interest to work on applications driven by abstract problems and develop creative out-of-the box solutions
• Driven and self‑motivated
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Preferred Knowledge or Skills

• Electrolyte thermodynamics
• Equations of state
• Experience collaborating with experimentalists to develop thermodynamic data/models
• Experience in process conceptualization or simulation with energy systems, biofuels, novel chemicals and polymers, incl Techno‑Economic Analysis, process simulation platforms (Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, PRO-II)
• Hybrid modeling (i.e. PINNs, AI/ML)

Your Total Rewards

An ExxonMobil career is one designed to last. Our commitment to you runs deep: our employees grow personally and professionally, with benefits built on our core categories of health, security, finance, and life. Individual pay is determined based on various factors including degree/education, discipline, year of study, skills, abilities, qualifications, and work experience.

More information on our Company’s benefits can be found at www.exxonmobilfamily.com.

Please note pay rates and benefits may be changed from time to time without notice, subject to applicable law

Equal Opportunity Employer

ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability

Functional Skills

Compositional Representation of Complex Mixtures

Thermodynamics & Physical Properties

Reaction Kinetic Modeling

Process Configuration & Flowsheet Synthesis

Alternate Location:

Nothing herein is intended to override the corporate separateness of local entities. Working relationships discussed herein do not necessarily represent a reporting connection, but may reflect a functional guidance, stewardship, or service relationship.

Exxon Mobil Corporation has numerous affiliates, many with names that include ExxonMobil, Exxon, Esso and Mobil. For convenience and simplicity, those terms and terms like corporation, company, our, we and its are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific affiliates or affiliate groups. Abbreviated references describing global or regional operational organizations and global or regional business lines are also sometimes used for convenience and simplicity. Similarly, ExxonMobil has business relationships with thousands of customers, suppliers, governments, and others. For convenience and simplicity, words like venture, joint venture, partnership, co‑venturer, and partner are used to indicate business relationships involving common activities and interests, and those words may not indicate precise legal relationships.

Nearest Major Market: Houston
Job Segment: Chemical Engineer, Chemical Research, Process Engineer, Engineer, Engineering, Research