Lead Development Engineer

About AIRCO

The Position

We are seeking a Senior Development Engineer to play a critical role in commercializing AIRCOS Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) technology. This role is highly hands-on combining first-principles engineering with pilot-scale execution to generate the experimental data and mechanistic models required for scale-up and Engineering Design Information (EDI) delivery.

This individual will play a key role in the design and execution of concepting executing and evaluating experimental programs to enable robust yield and performance models supporting Engineering Design Information package (EDI) delivery. The position requires close integration of experimental work analytical characterization to build mechanistic understanding and develop solid numerical models of process reactions and separations. This role is based in New Britain PA.

What you get to do

• Lead development projects or major technical workstreams from problem definition through experimental planning execution analysis technical recommendations and handoff to engineering; establish priorities coordinate contributors and communicate risks decisions and results to stakeholders.
• Design and execute bench- and pilot-scale test programs for reaction and separation systems including test objectives operating envelopes sampling plans analytical requirements data-quality criteria and safe operating procedures.
• Provide hands-on support during commissioning and testing; diagnose process equipment instrumentation control and data-quality issues; perform structured root-cause analysis; and implement practical corrective actions.
• Apply first-principles chemical engineering to understand system behavior including mass and energy balances thermodynamics kinetics/reaction engineering heat and mass transfer fluid flow phase behavior and separation fundamentals.
• Analyze complex experimental and analytical datasets and develop fit-for-purpose engineering models such as material/energy balances yield and selectivity models kinetic or mechanistic models and process simulations to connect laboratory and pilot results with scale-up needs.
• Translate experimental learning into scale-up criteria process performance predictions operating guidance design bases and EDI/BEDP inputs; identify technical risks and data gaps and define the next experiments needed to close them.
• Work effectively across R&D analytical engineering operations project management and external partners; document technical conclusions clearly and contribute to knowledge transfer and intellectual property development.

What you bring to AIRCO

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Significant experience in hands-on experimental development pilot-scale testing or process development
• Strong grounding in thermodynamics reaction engineering and separation fundamentals
• Demonstrated ability to analyze large datasets and extract mechanistic insight not just empirical fits
• Experience with numerical tools simulation software or data analysis platforms (e.g. Aspen MATLAB Python similar)
• Proven troubleshooting skills in experimental or pilot-plant environments
• Familiarity with scale-up challenges process modeling and commercialization workflows

Working at AIRCO - In addition to standard medical and dental benefits that kick in Day 1 we provide:

Comprehensive Health Benefits

• Full coverage for employee base premiums on health dental and vision insurance.
• 70% coverage for spouse and dependent base premiums.
• Choose between base plans or enhanced options to fit your needs.

Health Savings & Flexibility

• Access company-sponsored HSA and FSA accounts to save on healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Income Protection & Insurance

• Company-paid Short-Term Disability insurance.
• Optional Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance plans.

Time Off & Leave

• Flexible and generous paid time off with opportunities to carry over unused PTO.
• Paid family leave to support you during important life moments.

Retirement Savings

• Tax-deferred 401(k) plan with a 3% company match to help you invest in your future.

Lifestyle & Commuter Benefits

• Monthly Lifestyle Spending Account: Company-funded monthly benefit that can be used toward eligible work-from-home and commuting expenses including gas parking and public transit.
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits: Access to pre-tax savings through Navia for eligible transit and parking expenses.

Additional Perks

• Ancillary benefits through Sequoia including pet insurance and financial wellness programs.
• Employee wellness program to support your well-being. Inclusive of Wellhub & One Medical.
• Company-sponsored events and programs that promote an inclusive and values-driven workplace.
• Weekly company-funded meal stipend that can be used toward meals from restaurants and food delivery services.

At AIRCO we value employees for their unique perspectives. We are an inclusive affirmative action Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to actual or perceived race color creed religion national origin ancestry citizenship status age sex or gender (including pregnancy childbirth pregnancy-related conditions and lactation) gender identity or expression (including transgender status) sexual orientation marital status military service and veteran status present or past history of intellectual learning mental or physical disability (including but not limited to blindness) unless AIRCO determines that such disability prevents performance of the work involved genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal state or local laws and ordinances.

Dont meet every single requirement Studies have shown that women marginalized genders and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At AIRCO we are dedicated to building a diverse inclusive and authentic workplace so if youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles

This position requires access to technology software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions due to export controls security classification and/or designation as Controlled Unclassified Information. Employment in this position is conditioned on the candidates ability to obtain and maintain appropriate government authorization to access technology or information to the extent required including without limitation a security clearance export license or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items technology or information.

We may delay commencement of employment rescind an offer of employment terminate employment and/or modify job responsibilities compensation benefits and/or access to Company facilities and information systems as we deem appropriate in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.

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