Scale-up Process Engineer
Livermore, CA - USA
Job Summary
We are hiring multiple Scale-Up Process Engineers to support a new facility and research program. The team will develop and test the processes and equipment needed to scale up a new biobased chromatography process. Over the next two years the program will focus on producing active materials at scale and demonstrating an automated pilot-plant process capable of producing 10 kg of material per week.
This position offers a hybrid schedule blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.
This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.
You will
- Gather develop and interpret process engineering requirements; conduct experiments; and develop and interpret technical design drawings to understand the manufacturing design and operational requirements for new pilot systems.
- Perform engineering calculations and sizing estimates to determine the appropriate materials volumes chemical compatibility dimensions and functionality required for successful operation of custom pilot units.
- Lead data collection and recommend appropriate equipment instrumentation vendors and modeling or simulation approaches to support successful pilot-plant operations.
- Prepare technical documentation; trend performance yield and purity data; and perform root-cause analyses to validate pilot-unit performance and identify potential issues in the chromatography process. Apply knowledge of materials bioengineering manufacturing and process controls and monitoring to resolve issues efficiently.
- Provide input on resolving technical issues and support continued technology development for future research and development projects.
- Communicate effectively and thrive in a multidisciplinary environment with an accelerated project schedule and challenging milestones and deliverables.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 level
- Lead day-to-day laboratory activities for the installation setup and operation of multiple custom laboratory- and pilot-scale chromatography column platforms including motion systems tooling sensors analytical equipment and automation and process controls. Ensure accurate and repeatable process setup material balances and monitoring to support successful product production.
- Work within a multidisciplinary team of stakeholders including designers engineers analysts chemists materials scientists technicians subcontractors and manufacturers to complete scale-up activities in alignment with program and sponsor leadership.
- Maintain troubleshooting maintenance process procedure test-unit and pilot-plant documentation and recommend and implement improvements.
Qualifications :
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
- Bachelors degree in engineering chemical engineering mechanical engineering or another related engineering specialty with experience working in laboratory or pilot-plant settings.
- At least two years of experience in chemical process design process engineering technology development for industrial applications or an industry sector such as energy production or chemical manufacturing.
- Expertise in process design pilot-plant operations and equipment selection including familiarity with compressors pumps mass flow controllers solenoid valves and instrumentation.
- Experience applying industry standards such as ASME NFPA API cGMP GDP and OSHA to pilot equipment and procedures as well as experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level
- Project management and leadership experience including the ability to guide contractors and tradespeople in building custom laboratory and pilot systems on schedule and within budget.
- Masters or doctoral degree in chemical mechanical industrial or materials engineering or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Proficiency with column chromatography including method development and optimization for chromatographic separations column packing equilibration qualification solution preparation system maintenance and equipment troubleshooting.
Pay Range
$146340 - $222564 Annually
$146340 - $185544 Annually for the SES.2 level
$175530 - $222564 Annually for the SES.3 level
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to specific competencies relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills seniority geographic location performance and business or organizational needs.
Additional Information :
#LI-Hybrid
Position Information
This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
- Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
- Flexible Benefits Package
- 401(k)
- Relocation Assistance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
- Our values - visit Clearance
This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
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Remote Work :
No
Employment Type :
Full-time
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