R&D Process Development Engineer

Location: Deerfield, IL

Company Overview

Come join a team of mission-driven doers as we work to build a more sustainable future!

LanzaJet, Inc. is a Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) technology provider and fuels producer committed to decarbonizing the aviation industry. Our patented ethanol-to-SAF technology is poised to deliver a significant impact on global aviation’s ability to decarbonize and meet its net-zero goals by 2050. At LanzaJet, we have a goal of producing 1 billion gallons of SAF and renewable diesel by 2030. And, we’re well on our way – with a dozen projects announced globally, working across 25 countries and five continents. We’re growing the future of sustainable aviation.

Backed by a consortium of investors including British Airways, LanzaTech, Mitsui, Shell, Suncor Energy, and Southwest Airlines, as well as strategic investments from MUFG, Airbus, and Groupe ADP, LanzaJet is accelerating the path to a net-zero future. Our collaboration with renowned supporters such as All Nippon Airways, Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation, and Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund solidifies our position as a global pioneer in sustainable fuels.

With over 15 years of research and development, LanzaJet's proprietary technology has been rigorously tested and our SAF has been used on flights by industry giants like Virgin Atlantic and ANA.

Named a TIME100 Most Influential Companies in 2024, LanzaJet is quickly rising through the ranks as one of the best companies to work for, leading the way across the industry.

In a ground-breaking achievement, LanzaJet has opened the world’s first ethanol-to-SAF plant in 2024. Located in Soperton, GA, LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels will produce 10 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel per year. .

As we expand our global footprint, LanzaJet is catalyzing the next generation of SAF in key markets such as Japan, Australia, India, and Europe. Our team of passionate innovators is dedicated to turning the vision of a sustainable future into a reality today. Because as we say at LanzaJet,

Someday is Now.

We are leading the charge towards a cleaner, more sustainable aviation industry.

Join us!

About The Role

R&D Process Development Engineer

LanzaJet is looking for a motivated, high-energy, well-organized, collaborative R&D Process Development Engineer for its innovative Ethanol to Sustainable Aviation Jet (SAF) and Diesel process global commercialization efforts. The primary responsibility of the R&D Process Development Engineer is the design and coordination of programs that deliver technical solutions, which provide the basis for a competitive advantage in both growth strategies and sustaining the value proposition of the ATJ catalyst platform. As the R&D Process Development Engineer, you will develop and manage a project pipeline to scale up the current catalyst portfolio, aligned with company growth plans. You will also work with process development

and technology partners to develop the next generation of catalyst technologies that maintains and

improves the company’s competitive position. You will champion the current catalyst portfolio and identify new directions to accelerate strategic business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead activities for the discovery and scale-up of catalysts for ethanol dehydration, oligomerization, and hydrogenation catalysts
• Learn, identify, and apply knowledge of key business drivers and the factors that maximize company performance to identify, champion, and charter projects in support of strategic objectives
• Develop robust value propositions in support of technical priorities and projects
• Ensure continuing alignment of project portfolio with business priorities through updating progress and tactical changes and establishing meaningful milestones with commercial impact
• Represent LanzaJet’s process capabilities, proposing technical solutions to meet the customers’ needs for sustainable aviation and diesel fuels
• Lead pilot plant experimental work by identifying data/measurement gaps, ensuring accurate operations logging and process calculations, enforcing accurate data generation (including analytical/instrument precision), and maintaining up-to-date documentation on procedures and management of change on process units
• Employ design-of-experiments (DOE) and study matrix planning to support technology benchmarking, kinetic/reactor model development, and catalyst development based on scientific and engineering principles
• Support process optimization, CAPEX and carbon intensity (CI) reduction studies and collaborate with internal and external partners, as appropriate, to form new design recommendations
• Develop, manage, and maintain tools and templates, for data processing, analysis, and visualization, with a focus on improving efficiency in identifying root causes (troubleshooting), process monitoring, and optimization opportunities
• Establish best practices to evaluate new catalyst technologies, including screening conditions/criteria, chemical/physical materials specifications, etc.)
• Review submittals, answer RFIs, and complete field visits to verify process and onsite work is proceeding according to design
• Performs other related duties as required.
  
  

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience for R&D Process Development Engineer based on experience, skillset and expertise. Targeted experience in process engineering research and development and operational experience in refining, petrochemical, or chemical industry environments
• Demonstrated experience in successfully applying the fundamentals of Chemical Engineering (e.g., chemical kinetics and thermodynamics, catalysis, transport (heat/mass) phenomena, and analytical chemistry fundamentals) to R&D and industrial-scale projects
• Chemical processing experience at both R&D or EPC and operations is highly desired
• Experience with research and developing process engineering designs for refining, petrochemical, or chemical industrial manufacturing processes. (Process flow diagrams, piping & instrument diagrams, mass & heat balances, basic piping system design, pump sizing, material handling methods, equipment, functional & installation specifications, as well as process instrumentation & control principles.)
• Experience with chemical reactor testing and associated analytical requirements and methodologies
• Solid analytical skills, a basic understanding of project management fundamentals as well as strong computer skills (Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, & AutoCAD)
• Proficient with written and verbal technical communication including generating reports and conducting group presentations
• Must possess leadership qualities with strong collaboration skills and the ability to build relationships and influence others, at all levels
• Willing and able to travel globally as required for project requirements to include but not limited to project installation and start-up activities, customer meetings, training and industry related seminars
• Up to 15% travel may be required
• Bachelor of Science or Master’s in Chemical Engineering
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship now and in the future
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD and/or Professional Engineering license
• Six Sigma or Lean methodology training a plus
• Experience in using process modeling software, such as Aspen/HYSYS or similar
• Experience in using high fidelity kinetic/reactor simulation software, such as gPROMS or similar
• Experience in statistical treatment of experimental data (sensitivity analyses, cross-correlations, outlier detection, etc.)
• Deep knowledge in catalytic kinetics, reactor dynamics, heat and mass transfer phenomena, and thermodynamics
• Knowledge in catalyst synthesis/manufacture, catalyst screening and evaluations, and materials characterization
  
  

Overview Of Benefits

• Competitive base salary, bonus, and stock options. Based on experience, the base salary range for this position is $130K to $160K
• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Vacation, Holiday, and Sick Pay
  
  

This position is open to candidates authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer. LanzaJet is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law.

LanzaJet, Inc. is a Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) technology provider and fuels producer committed to decarbonizing the aviation industry. The company is backed by a consortium of investors including British Airways, LanzaTech, Mitsui, Shell, Suncor Energy, and Southwest Airlines, as well as strategic investments from MUFG, Airbus, and Groupe ADP.