Junior Process Engineer
Company Description
Thermulon is an impact driven team of entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists developing a high-performance, fire-safe insulation material, aerogels. Aerogels are the most insulating materials known to science and we believe they’ll be at the centre of the green transition which is taking place today with key uses in Electric Vehicles and Construction.
Founded in 2019, Thermulon is backed by influential venture capitalists including Deep Science Ventures, Sustainable Ventures, and Sky Ocean Ventures. We also have the support of angel investors and crowdfunding campaigns and have obtained a number of highly competitive grants.Our dedication to technological advancement and sustainability has gained recognition from industry-leading organizations such as the Cleantech Group, Futurebuild, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Job Profile
Based in labs in London, we are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Chemical Engineer to join our team and support key initiatives in scale up to pilot and commercial production, external scale up and process validation trials, process modeling, and pilot plant development.The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles and experience working with Siemens gPROMS and/or Aspen process simulation software. This role offers the opportunity to work across functions—from developing digital models and supporting scale up at external manufacturing partners to leading hands-on efforts in our pilot plant development.
Key Responsibilities:
Process Scale Up:
- Serve as a technical liaison between internal stakeholders and 3rd party manufacturers.
- Support technology transfer to external partners, including process documentation, troubleshooting, trial support and ongoing performance optimization.
- Ensure external partners meet safety, quality, and production standards.
Process Modelling & Simulation:
- Develop and maintain steady-state and dynamic process models using Siemens gPROMS and/or Aspen Plus/HYSYS.
- Perform process optimisation, sensitivity analysis, and scale-up calculations.
- Translate modelling insights into practical recommendations for lab, pilot, and commercial-scale processes.
Pilot Plant:
- Act as a project/process engineer in the design and execution of a pilot plant operation, including experimental planning, equipment specification, selection, and commissioning, and safety management.
- Responsible for data collection, analysis, and reporting to inform scale-up and commercialization efforts.
- Collaborate with R&D, operations, and EH&S to ensure safe and efficient pilot plant execution.
Deadline to apply is 9th May 2025.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- B.Sc. or M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering or a related field
Preferred Requirements:
- 2+ years of experience in process development, modelling, and/or manufacturing in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or related industries.
- Engineering Chartership or equivalent preferred
- An uncompromising attitude to health & safety in process design and daily work.
- Proficiency with gPROMS, Aspen Plus, or similar modelling tools.
- Experience working with or managing 3rd party manufacturing partners.
- Familiarity with (pilot) plant capital projects or operations and scale-up methodologies.
- Techno-economic analysis of chemical plants.
- Strong creative and pro-active problem-solving
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Looking to grow with the company as it goes through rapid expansion
- Quick to learn, pick up and critically evaluate information
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently and prioritise own tasks
Benefits
Wellbeing- 30 days holiday for everyone
- Flexible working outside of core hours, based on workload and team agreements
- Private Medical insurance for you and your dependents (Medical, Dental, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Alternative treatments and Travel Insurance)
- Health/wellbeing allowance £600 per year to spend on activities which lead to better physical / mental health (it may be the gym, it may be a spa day, it may be a membership to headspace or some sessions with a therapist, you know you best)
- Ride to work scheme – Obtain a new bicycle and equipment through salary sacrifice, with government assistance contributing tax benefits to support the payment.
- Enhanced Ethically invested pension – increase the company contribution by 1%, or
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave – up to 12 months enhanced (Mat: 6months 100% and 6 months 50% Pat: 2 months 100%, 1 month 50%), Policy available for those with a minimum of 2 years’ service, or
- Life event support £1000 – whether it’s a wedding, buying a house, something big and important to you we will help