Lead Process Design Engineer at Lygos Inc

About Lygos

Lygos, Inc. is a specialty chemical company that helps customers meet their highest performance and sustainability goals. Lygos’ bio-inspired solutions are designed to replace persistent and carbon-intensive chemicals with products that are better, cleaner, and cost effective.  With a proprietary and fully integrated platform of the most advanced technologies across synthetic biology, industrial chemistry, and application development, a pipeline of innovative products, a first-of-its-kind Sustainable Solutions Center, and an integrated supply chain, Lygos is accelerating the world’s transition to high-performing, sustainable solutions. 

Lygos recently launched its Soltellus™ biodegradable polymer product line, with applications in home and personal care, water treatment and agricultural applications, and Ecoteria™ products, that have applications in fragrances as well as for coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE).

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced, motivated lead process design engineer to join our growing organization. As a member of the Operations team, you will report to the Director of Engineering Projects and be responsible for technical support for our pre-commercial manufacturing activities and the engineering design for full-scale commercial production of our Sotellus™biodegradable functional polymers. You will be responsible for developing process specifications, mass and energy balances, P&ID’s and equipment specifications and be the lead Lygos representative for the Soltellus process section on the 3rd party EPC team. This role will also have responsibility to plan and execute pilot scale trials to finalize equipment selection and sizing with equipment manufacturers, and shepherd the technology from development, through tech transfer into a cost effective and robust commercial design and ultimately into routine manufacturing operation.  In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to our mission of producing sustainable products, enabling existing products to elevate their market share, and establishing new performance products and brands. You will also get to experience working in a collaborative team environment with multiple external partners, service providers and vendors.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Lead engineering responsibilities for the Soltellus functional polymer process area of the Lygos Biorefinery project.
• Scale up processes for producing functional polymers using internal and external resources.
• Prepare process flow diagrams, mass and energy balances, utility requirements, equipment specifications and techno-economic models. 
• Work closely with analytical support staff to develop in-process and final product QC.
• Develop product specifications and quality control methods to ensure reliable product performance in target applications.
• Provide engineering and technical support to our current commercial manufacturing activities.
• Perform process development and scale-up testing to gather data for process design using internal resources, or by contracting with external labs/equipment vendors.
• Specify equipment for commercial production meeting techno-economic, capacity and product quality targets.
• Safely and efficiently transfer processes to commercial manufacturing sites.
• Support startup of the commercial equipment at the future Biorefinery.

Qualifications & Experience: 

• BS/MS in Chemical Engineering with 8 years of experience in chemical process development, process design, and/or specialty chemical manufacturing.
• Experience scaling up systems and successfully applying the fundamentals of Chemical Engineering to industrial-scale projects.
• Experience scaling up chemical processes from lab/pilot scale to manufacturing scale with a track record of successful translation of novel technology to commercial scale.
• Experience planning and executing pilot trials with contract manufacturing partners and/or equipment vendor aimed at selecting and sizing key unit operations. 
• Solid fundamental knowledge of chemical engineering principles and unit operations, with specific emphasis on novel processes and equipment.
• Experience in the development of Process flow diagrams, piping & instrument diagrams, mass & heat balances, basic piping system design, pump sizing, material handling methods and chemical (aqueous, solvents, slurries) delivery systems.
• Experience with engineering, start-up and operation of full-scale commercial projects. 
• Motivated self-starter with a sense of urgency that is comfortable in a fast-paced, multitasking environment.
• Superb organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Collaborative, analytical, and data driven.
• The highest regard for safety, respect for people, and ethical behavior.
• Ability to travel for manufacturing support, vendor trials and EPC assignments (~40%)

Nice-to-have (but not required):

• Academic or industrial experience in chemical/ polymer engineering related to water soluble polymer systems will be an advantage.

Compensation and Benefits: Lygos offers highly competitive salaries, stock options, bonus and benefits, including medical and dental insurance, unlimited paid time off, and 401(k).

Salary Range: $138,000-$192,000/yr. - Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to location, skill, experience, and performance. 

The benefits and stock purchase described above are subject to the terms and conditions of any governing plans, policies, practices, agreements, or other materials or documents as in effect from time to time, including but not limited to terms and conditions regarding eligibility.

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor individuals for employment visas for this job. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Location Information: This role is remote; with travel (30-40%). Travel to our current manufacturing partner site, equipment vendors, EPC and the future Biorefinery site will be required. Candidates will work standard hours from their time zone.

Lygos is headquartered in Berkeley, CA