Senior Process Engineer

Lydian overview

Lydian is a technology development company focused on producing the cheapest carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals on the planet. Our process replaces oil and gas refining with fully electrified, modular, and highly efficient reactor systems that enable the upgrading of captured CO2 into a range of carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals. Our initial focus is on the production of the cheapest and most scalable CO2-derived aviation fuel.

Lydian is backed by top climate investors including Congruent Ventures, Galvanize Climate Solutions, Union Square Ventures, Voyager Ventures, Grok Ventures, and Overlap Holdings. We are building a motivated, diverse, and collaborative team that is passionate about addressing the growing climate crisis and is committed to excellence in their work. In particular, we look for tenacious people that are energized by solving the hardest, highest impact problems that come their way.

Position overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Senior Process Engineer to join our team and contribute to the development and optimization of our sustainable aviation fuel plants. You’ll collaborate with the R&D and engineering teams to define and model our demo/commercial-scale systems and be the key point of contact with our EPC partners to evaluate and provide input on design packages.

Strong candidates will have a degree in Chemical Engineering and several years of experience with chemical process design. The ideal candidate should have a passion for sustainable energy and a desire to work in a fast-paced startup environment.

Core responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical processes with a focus on process safety, operability, and reliability.

• Develop process flow diagrams, heat and mass balances, and process simulation models using industry-standard software tools (such as Aspen Plus or HYSYS).

• Conduct laboratory experiments and pilot studies to validate unit operations/process designs and optimize process parameters using statistical analysis and design of experiments (DOE) methodologies.

• Evaluate and recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

• Engage process equipment suppliers and EPCs to help build high fidelity technoeconomic models and develop project cost estimates.

• Manage projects from conception to completion, including coordinating with various stakeholders, managing budgets and timelines, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Identify opportunities for optimization, cost reduction, and efficiency improvement, with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation.

• Build strong working relationships with cross-functional teams, clients, and suppliers, with a focus on effective communication and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in Chemical Engineering or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in chemical process design and optimization, preferably in petrochemicals or related industries.

• Hands-on experience with building and testing process components to validate models.

• Demonstrated experience developing Basic Engineering Packages (BEPs) and/or Front End Engineering Design (FEED) packages for capital projects >$50M in chemical, specialty chemical, or fuels processing.

• Demonstrated experience scoping/tracking/executing capital projects to outside engineering firms, EPCs, industry consultants, etc.

• Knowledge of process simulation tools (such as Aspen or HYSYS) and engineering software (such as AutoCAD), as well as programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB).

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• Ability to manage projects from conception to completion, with a focus on delivering results on time and within budget.

• Deep understanding of process safety, including the ability to conduct hazard analyses, implement safety measures, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

• Willingness to learn new skills and technologies, and to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments.

Company culture and benefits

• Challenging, collaborative, and meaningful work and an important voice in company development

• Competitive salary and title commensurate with experience

• Meaningful equity compensation

• Flexible PTO and expectation that all employees take significant time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside work

• Excellent health, vision, and dental insurance with 100% of premiums covered

• 401(k) with company match