Chief Gas Treatment Engineer at Niron Magnetics

Niron Magnetics is a venture-backed start-up developing the only known magnetic material with the potential to displace widely used rare earth permanent magnets. These rare earth permanent magnets are found in electric motors, generators, sensors, actuators, and a variety of everyday machines. Unfortunately, the mining and refining of these materials incur harsh social and environmental costs. 

Niron Magnetics has developed a magnetic material that is free of critical materials (including rare earth elements), which eliminates the environmental damage caused by their use.  Niron is comprised of a team of engineers and scientists with a desire to make a positive impact in our community.

About the position

The Chief Gas Treatment Engineer at Niron will be a key lead in projects involving hydrogen and ammonia processing, including directing projects, studies, and implementing any relevant technologies. This individual will provide their expertise to teams across the company for technologies involving gas stream processing.  

This role will oversee identification, management, optimization, and commissioning of relevant process technologies for new facilities and identifying overall operation, efficiency and capacity improvements as facilities are brought into operation.

This position will report to the VP Global Operations.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities:

• Lead the identification, management, and commissioning of gas stream process technologies, including, but not limited to generation, recycling, heat transfer, abatement of hydrogen, nitrogen and ammonia based systems.
• Identify operational and capacity improvements as Niron grows
• Guide the selection of and participate in meetings to select new technologies
• Coordinate and oversee third party vendors and contractors for contract, development and proposal work; as needed, validate the ability of third-party process and technology to integrate with Niron’s existing systems
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, following our quality management principles, maintaining a high quality of work throughout the entire engineering process
• Work with teams throughout the company, including engineering, research and development, facilities, and project management, as well as third party specialists as needed
• Continuously improve understanding and expertise of relevant gas technologies, through individual study and by attending pertinent conferences
• Assist process and product development teams with the ramp to high volume, and lead specific yield, throughput, quality and/or cost improvement projects
• Develop and mentor staff and junior engineers across the organization, identifying opportunities for their career growth

The position will be most compelling for those with an interest in clean technology, highly scientific technology, and high growth start-ups. 

Qualifications:

• BS degree in Chemical/Process Engineering; Master’s degree in a Gas Technology related area is a plus
• 10+ years working within an organization designing relevant gas systems
• 10+ years in a manufacturing organization working hands on in the field operating, troubleshooting and debottlenecking such facilities
• Hands on commissioning such systems
• Proficiency in:
  • Production, purification, treatment, recycling (membrane and chilling/cryogenic), and abatement of hydrogen, ammonia, nitrogen, argon, and carbon monoxide
  • Heat recovery in gas based systems
  • Utilization of computer modelling software, coupled with familiarity with relevant tools for generating instrument process data sheets and similar documents
• Demonstrated technical leadership skills, including the ability to effectively collaborate within cross-functional teams
• Desire and capability to develop and mentor junior scientists and engineers at Niron
• Experience in collaborating with external vendors to conceptualize, design, develop, and qualify large-scale process equipment
• Prefer member of the AlChE or equivalent, and a licensed engineer in MN or another state

Compensation:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Equity position in Niron via stock option grant
• 401k plan with company match
• Mental healthcare support including therapeutic care
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance
• Experience in a fun, high-performing, venture-backed startup