Chemical Engineer - Pilot

About Ammobia

Ammobia is on a mission to revolutionize the ammonia industry. We are a seed-stage startup developing Haber Bosch 2.0 – a next-generation ammonia synthesis process enabling cost-effective, clean ammonia production. Our proprietary swing reactor system runs at 10x lower pressures and 4x higher conversions than the state of the art, enabling economical production at any plant scale or energy source.

Clean ammonia will support ammonia’s growing role in our decarbonized world, tackling some of the most difficult to abate sectors including chemicals, fertilizers, and heavy-duty transportation. We are supported and recognized by leading climate tech organizations including Starlight Ventures, the US Department of Energy, Collaborative Fund, Third Derivative, Forbes 30u30, and more.

Job Description

Ammobia is seeking a motivated and creative Chemical Engineer to develop, test, and demonstrate our ammonia production process at the pilot scale. You will conduct and/or manage test operations, analysis, and system maintenance as a core member of our pilot plant team. You're experienced getting your hands dirty with high pressure and temperature equipment, working alongside scientists, engineers, and technicians. You're a chemical engineer oriented towards hands on scaleup, equipment, and process development, and you come from an industrial chemical/energy background. You enjoy fast paced, creative, and collaborative work and you thrive with high levels of autonomy and ownership. 

There is significant opportunity to grow your role alongside the company. Responsibilities may include:

Successful applicants will have most of the following qualifications.

• Perform test engineering for pilot reactor and process skids: 
• Develop and plan experiments, write test plans, manage test operations, etc.
• Troubleshoot, maintain, shakedown, and serve as SME for plant equipment including compressors, pumps, heat exchangers, flow and pressure meters, etc
• Produce and analyze test data to quantify performance in a range of process conditions and durability tests
• Write comprehensive test documentation suitable for external sharing, investor and customer development
• Interface with plant process design and R&D teams
• Integrate pilot plant learnings into plant design at increasing scales: 
• Interface with external engineering and EPC groups to design and execute subsequent commercial scale designs

• 3+ years’ experience in a relevant industrial setting 
• Hands on experience designing and operating pilot scale chemical processing equipment
• Demonstrated expertise in chemical process development and test engineering
• Deep functional knowledge of chemical processing equipment, including compressors, heat exchangers, flow and pressure controllers, pressure vessels
• Working knowledge and deep experience working with chemical plant controls systems
• Sophisticated data analysis skills, especially for time-series data from dynamic processes, e.g. with Python, MATLAB, or similar
• Intuitive understanding of thermodynamics, kinetics, heat and mass transport
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work both independently and collaboratively 
• Hands on experience in a startup or similar environment

• Demonstrated experience in reaction engineering, heterogeneous catalysis, gas sorption
• Experience in gas separations, PSA, TSA, membrane, distillation, or similar
• Experience in ammonia synthesis, cracking, or separations
• Degree(s) in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Who we are

We are a small and passionate team of scientists and engineers. We value teamwork, accountability, open communication, and rapid iteration. We emphasize career growth, mutual feedback, and a fun and exciting working environment. Check out ammobia.co/careers for our full values statement and ammobia.co/team to learn more about us.

The position is full-time and in-person in San Francisco, CA. Compensation and job title will be commensurate with experience.