Overview
Our expert staff provide multi-disciplinary solutions to complex energy and environmental issues. Key capabilities include science (chemical and mechanical). We employ a systems perspective that includes, discovery technology development and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization. EP&MD focuses on three mission contributions: Clean Fossil Energy, Electricity Infrastructure, & Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
The Advanced Energy Systems group at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a Chemical Engineer to contribute to the creation and demonstration of innovative solutions to problems of national significance in energy, global climate change, and national security. The Advanced Energy Systems group has a rich history of developing new processes and process intensification technologies to serve industrial clients, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership in the areas of advanced process development and process intensification; specifically in the areas of separations, chemical conversions, and heat pumps. A strong technical reputation is expected both inside and outside of PNNL, via publications, participation in national and international conferences, and other contributions.
- Support and lead the design, construction, and testing activities for new process technologies, along with subsequent scale-up efforts. These responsibilities include experimental planning, development of safety documents, and interpretation of generated results.
- Technical contribution through problem-solving, innovation, and creativity, including the production of ideas that are marketable and/or patentable.
- Ability to work independently, including planning and executing work scope and completing deliverables on time and within budget, with safety as a priority.
- Serve as Principle Investigator and/or Project Manager on projects or tasks. This includes guiding and mentoring junior staff.
- Grow existing funded research programs, including development of relationships with key clients and collaborators in industry, academia and other national laboratories.
- Prepare and present technical reports.
- Deliver on assigned project tasks and meet project deliverables on time and within budget.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
- MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
- PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
- Already holds a U.S. security clearance.
- Broadly recognized expertise in chemical process development, preferably with industry experience.
- Experience working with a diverse set of government and/or industry teams with multiple roles as principal investigator on significantly complex and/or high-risk projects.
- Excellent technical writing skills and a track record of peer-reviewed journal publications.
- Ability to contribute to the development of competitive research proposals to government and private clients.
- Fundamental understanding of system-level thermodynamics, heat and mass transport, and application experience via computational fluid dynamics and related tools (e.g. COMSOL).
- Experience in advancing basic knowledge of a technology and/or advancing technology’s readiness for deployment or commercialization.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment
Not applicable.
Additional Information
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
- Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the candidate selected is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy until non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months can be demonstrated.
Testing Designated Position
This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
About PNNL
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity
Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
Drug Free Workplace
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
Mandatory Requirements
Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.
Rockstar Rewards
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
- Research Associates excluded.
**Once eligibility requirements are met.
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