Chemical Process Engineer - Ascend Elements

Ascend Elements (AE) is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. The results are lower cost, better performance batteries with fewer discarded in landfill, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements (AE) is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

We're hiring Chemical Process Engineers to join our team in Hopkinsville, KY! In this role you will provide technical expertise and day-to-day engineering support to the manufacturing facility. This will include interaction with the operations, warehouse, and maintenance employees, design, and modification of existing and new facilities, gathering and analyzing data, troubleshoot problems, identify root cause(s), present conceptual solutions, detailed engineering, equipment sizing, feasibility studies, recommend and implement process improvements. This individual will be part of the commissioning of new equipment and managing production trials. They will be focused on benchmarking and improving performance against plant metrics and implementing robust systems to sustain improvements. They must lead the effort to achieve superior Health, Safety and Environmental performance, especially in the areas of process safety (PSM, RMP, PHMP etc), procedure writing and training of plant employees.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Performs feasibility studies for technology transfers and new product introduction. Includes assessment of current Equipment capabilities, HSE issues, and capital requirements.
• Analyzes quality for multiple product lines utilizing statistical control charts. Works toward establishing in-control processes. Identifies areas of variation (raw materials, process, or quality analysis), implements measures to reduce variation, and tracks effectiveness of reduction measures.
• Analyzes process data and quality critical parameters for control of manufacturing processes. Troubleshoots problem areas and identifies measures for improvement.
• Use heat and material balances, fluid flow/hydraulic principles to troubleshoot process problems and design new equipment.
• Analyzes batch cycle times. Identifies and implements process optimization improvements to establish consistent cycle times and reduce overall cycle times.
• Reports cycle time, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and other key metrics for key equipment and key product lines.
• Investigates off-grade or abnormal batches. Identifies root cause, reports findings, and implements corrective actions.
• Manages small capital projects associated with unit. Responsible for determining justification, scope definition, safety reviews, ' punch-list ' items, coordination of implementation with production schedule, startup, chemical commissioning and performance report on agreed deliverables.
• Prepares flow diagrams, P&ID' s, and equipment and control specifications.
• Utilize management of change for applicable situations.
• Trains production operators, warehouse staff, and laboratory technicians on unit operations, chemistries, and batch recipe or DCS changes/enhancements in regard to product line.
• Responsible for day-to-day troubleshooting associated with product line.
• Utilizes and works within the ISO 9001 standard framework/system.
• Influence people's opinions, attitudes, and judgments and demonstrate the ability to compromise opinion to develop the best solution for the issue.
• Up to 10% travel on average, as high as 50% during plant commissioning phases.

Education and Other Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering preferred, others considered.
• 3-5 years of process engineering experience with experience in process engineering at the plant level. Experience in CAPEX projects, plant design, build out, and optimization of chemical or advanced materials technologies desired.
• Knowledge of and hands on experience using APQP tools including FMEA, SPC, and design and process validation as well as Lean and 6 Sigma tools.
• Experienced in liquid/solid separations such as precipitation, filtering, drying. Supplier identification and assessment, equipment build tracking, factory and site acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, and ramping to metrics.
• Experience, judgement, and technical knowledge to drive data-based decisions.
• Knowledge and experience in continuous liquid process and batch reactions in a series of reaction vessels.
• Skilled user of MS office tools including Word, EXCEL, Outlook, Project
• Written and verbal fluency in English
• Capable of wearing task specific personal protective equipment which may include dust mask, air purifying respirator (i.e., half and/or full faced), safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection.
• Capable of meeting OSHA standards for manual lifting guidelines: < 50lbs
• While performing the duties of this job it is required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch when necessary for job activity.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods.
• Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.

This position is located in Hopkinsville KY!

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Ascend Elements is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.