Chemical Engineer, Reactor & Kinetic Modeling

At AIR COMPANY we are paving a pathway to global decarbonization by transforming CO₂ into endless resources via industrial scale applications. Working with nature, rather than against it, our proprietary AIRMADE™ Technology mimics photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide and water via renewable energy into carbon-negative chemicals and fuels. 

We have commercial partnerships with airlines including JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic, amongst others, and have been awarded multiple government contracts from NASA and the United States Department of Defense. AIR COMPANY has received industry recognition through awards such as Time Best Inventions, Fast Company World Changing Ideas and the XPRIZE for Carbon Removal. 

We are proudly headquartered in New York City and co-founded by Gregory Constantine (CEO) and Dr. Stafford Sheehan (CTO). Our team spans a diverse group of world-leading experts in chemistry, engineering and technological development and deployment. AIR COMPANY is backed by capital partners aligned with the company’s mission to boldly transform industry including the US Department of Defense, NASA, Toyota Ventures, JetBlue Ventures and Carbon Direct.

The Position

We are seeking a Chemical Engineer, Reactor & Kinetic Modeling to join our team. This role will report to our Senior Manager, Engineering Science. This position will contribute to advancing our technology through detailed 1-D and 2-D reactor modeling, experimental pilot plants data acquisition, analysis,  evaluation, and process simulation. This role is based in  Brooklyn, NY.

What you get to do 

• Lead R&D projects focused on heterogeneous catalytic reactions, optimizing processes and scaling them for industrial applications.
• Develop robust kinetic expressions and rate laws (first principles and empirical) using micro-and macro-kinetics (MK), transition-state-theory (TST), multivariate statistical approaches, residence time distribution analysis.
• Design unique experiments to independently measure fundamental kinetic parameters, exploring hydrodynamics and intrinsic or effective kinetic analysis along with deactivation mechanisms and perform advanced data regression (linear and nonlinear) and data fitting to improve existing kinetic parameters
• Develop and visualize reactor models that capture the heat, mass and momentum gradients and physico-chemical phenomena taking place within a reactor system, as well as, reaction network analysis, and/or reaction graph theory, reaction coordinate analysis and catalytic cycle/turn-over diagrams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, operate, and troubleshoot pilot plant experiments and equipment. 
• Analyze and interpret pilot plant data to provide recommendations for process improvements and scale-up strategies. 
• Contribute to the development of technical reports, patents, and scientific publications. 

What you bring to AIR COMPANY

• PhD in Chemical Engineering or a related field with a strong background in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic reactors. Mastering the theory and practical knowledge with multiphase chemical reactors and transport phenomena. 
• Fundamental understanding of thermodynamics for both reaction and phase behavior.
• Proven experience with Design of Experiments (DoE) methodologies and process optimization.
• Hands-on experience with pilot plant operations, experimental setup, and troubleshooting. 
• Proficiency with numerical and computational modeling tools (e.g. Matlab, Maple, Mathematica, Polymath, Python, COMSOL, Fluent, ANSYS, OpenFOAM)  and statistical algorithms ((e.g. neural Networks, partial least squares, projection to latent structures, PCR, SIMCA-P, Monte-carlo simulations, machine learning)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and in a team environment. 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for technical reporting and collaboration across departments. 

Bonus Points 

• Postdoctoral or industry experience in catalysis, kinetic modeling, and process development in Oil and gas industry, Power to X and Fischer-Tropsch processes and SAF area
• Familiarity with modern analytical techniques for catalyst characterization.
• Experience with reactor scale-up from pilot to industrial scale. 

Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000 

The approximate annual base compensation range and benefits listed above may vary based on the applicant's experience, skills, abilities, and relevant industry expertise.

At Air Company we value employees for their unique perspectives. We are an inclusive affirmative action Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to a