Process Development Engineer

Department: Innovation & Technology - Process Technology
Location:  Pittsburgh or Pasadena, TX
Travel Involved: 10-15%
Job Type: Full-Time

We are seeking an exceptional process engineer for conceptual process design and scale-up of emerging technologies in the areas of chemical recycling of plastics and low-carbon intensity chemicals and materials. The candidate will have primary responsibility for pilot plant design, ensuring technical risks are addressed and mitigated in scale-up. The ideal candidate will have a process development background, technological knowledge of petrochemical processes, and aptitude for creative and innovative problem-solving.

• Develop the conceptual process design for emerging new technologies within Braskem in collaboration with Braskem’s advanced modeling team.
• Work closely with the research team to guide experimental work with a view toward the commercial process design, and ensure relevant technical targets are set based on commercial process economics.
• Guide the pilot plant design and pilot testing program according to the conceptualized commercial design to ensure the key risks are mapped and minimized as the technology progresses through scale-up.
• Build strong relationships while working closely with the firms constructing the pilot plant units.
• Support process safety reviews for emerging technologies.
• Serve as the process expert during pilot and demo testing.
• Own responsibility as the expert on the process technology and key deliverables of the Process Design Package (PDP) that will be the basis for commercial design and engineering.
• Identify and evaluate innovative and disruptive technologies through interaction with technology licensors, participation in events associated with advanced recycling and petrochemical technologies, and review of international publications.
• Carry out technical-economic assessments, actively participating in the preparation and/or technical review of mass and energy balances, PFD's, Capex and Opex estimates, preliminary layouts, among others.
• Work with different teams within Braskem (e.g., process and production engineering, laboratory, sustainability, innovation, intellectual property, etc.) to guarantee the successful development of projects.
• Support the management of the project portfolio.
• Collaborate with universities, start-ups and technology hubs seeking new technologies that may be of interest to Braskem.
• Have a working knowledge of intellectual property.
• Coordinate actions with the responsible parties for the development of legal instruments for cooperation and technological development, confidentiality agreements, service contracts, intellectual property assessments, among others.

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering or relevant field (Ph.D. or M.S. is a plus) with a strong background in new technology development
• 10+ years (including graduate research) in chemical process engineering or innovation and technology fields
• Demonstrated expertise using process simulation software (Aspen Plus and Aspen Economic Analyzer)
• Strong technical judgement to assess project decisions and timetables
• Profile with maturity and experience to lead initiatives/projects and participate in technical activities, with a balance between leadership/seniority skills and technical training in chemical engineering, processes, and technological development
• Ability and seniority to ensure good interpersonal relationships and people management, to work on projects with internal and external interfaces
• Intellectual property experience, including assessing FTO 
• English is required, Portuguese desirable

Candidate will work in a hybrid mode, but must relocate to Pittsburgh, PA or be located in Houston, TX with periodic travel to Pittsburgh, to ensure a close working relationship with research teams at the Braskem Innovation & Technology Center.

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering or relevant field (Ph.D. or M.S. is a plus) with a strong background in new technology development
• Experience bringing conceptual designs of processes to pilot or demonstration plant scale is highly desirable
• Experience in pilot plant and/or demo plant operation is a plus