Senior Process Engineer, R&D

Via Separations is a Boston-area startup dedicated to enabling process efficiency and intensification for the industrial sector. In 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!

The Senior Process Engineer will lead the Process R&D team within the larger R&D group to invent, build, deliver, and optimize solutions to technical challenges in industrial manufacturing processes. You will work alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers using models, from the bench, to the field.  You are energized by hard problems, and excited by the enormous growth potential of this role as Via continues to grow rapidly, scale systems, and develop further applications.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop new separation techniques or approaches working closely with Via’s New Applications team
• Model thermodynamics, transport, and material balance of novel membranes and novel membrane systems
• Use technoeconomic modelling to assess commercial feasibility of new approaches
• Interface with Chemistry R&D team, feeding back performance requirements and fundamental analysis for GO membranes
• Work with Engineering Process Team to model and deliver scalable separation approaches and deliver design guidance
• Assist in the planning and budgeting of new projects
• Report on status of projects at R&D team meetings and company-wide
• Coordinate (with other R&D team members) the measurement of membrane lifetimes in new feeds and membrane cleaning protocols
• May have the opportunity to travel to field locations to assist with Pilot System commissioning and optimization

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of the following:

• Advanced degree in Chemical Engineering or similar
• 2 - 3 years work experience preferred
• Champions a culture of safety in both lab and non-lab environments
• Demonstrated ability to document and communicate plans, results, critiques and conclusions in written and verbal form with a variety of stakeholders
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively with others
• Infrequent travel for Pilot commissioning 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 paid Maternity & Paternity Leave
• Flexible time off
• Additional PTO 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.