Head of Membrane Performance

Via Separations is a Boston-area startup dedicated to enabling process efficiency and intensification for the industrial sector. In H1 2024, Via delivered its first commercial facility and changed the narrative around market-driven energy technologies that drive value for industrial customers.  At the intersection of engineering, society, and impact, our team is passionate about making a difference and building the technology and organization to do it.  We are a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team backed by leading venture capital firms, and we are looking to add talented, mission-driven people to our cohort. 

We are passionate about transformative impact, optimistic about scientific progress, and unafraid of hard problems. We believe that our people are our unfair advantage, and drive our mission forward. We embrace the diversity of our team for creative solutions and believe the best ideas come from the intersection of disciplines and perspectives. We want you to join us!

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to head our Membrane Performance team. In this role you will be responsible for leading the development and optimization of our advanced membrane technologies, driving the performance of our systems from a lab to commercial scale and managing a team of world-class scientists and engineers.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across the organization to deliver products that exceed customer expectations. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a passion for innovation and a track record of driving technical solutions in complex industrial environments. This role provides a unique opportunity to scale and shape the future of our organization.

Responsibilities include:

• Manage, grow and structure a high-performing team responsible for membrane performance at pilot through commercial scales
• Establish and execute a strategic and operational vision for membrane performance optimization to meet current and future market needs
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, sales and operations teams to enable transition of technology solutions from lab-scale to industrial implementation
• Oversee testing, modeling and materials characterization activities. Analyze performance data, identify areas for improvement, and implement solutions that optimize the efficiency and lifespan of membrane technologies
• Work closely with external partners and suppliers to accelerate the development and implementation of next-generation membrane technologies
• Manage projects, budgets and resources effectively to support team growth and project execution

The ideal candidate will have some, if not all, of these qualifications:

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or similar, with 8+ years relevant experience
• At least 4 years of managerial experience, with a proven ability to mentor and grow teams
• At least 4 years of technical and/or operational leadership experience, with a track record of successfully delivering on complex projects with multiple stakeholders
•  Experience working with large-scale industrial equipment
• Ability to identify and mitigate technical and operational risks that could impact quality, performance or commercialization timelines
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Experience working with membranes, separation systems and materials characterization is preferred
• Some travel (up to 20%) may be required
• U.S. work authorization is required for this role

We offer:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity options
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Disability & Life Insurance
• 401(k)
• 12+ weeks of paid Family Leave
• Paid Flex time off
• Paid time off for Company holidays

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. Via may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role!

At Via, we value and prioritize diversity of thought, access, and experiences, and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.