Chemical Process Engineer - labscale pilot plants

Chemical Process Engineer – Lab scale pilot plants 

Who are we?  

At Avantium R&D Solutions, we’re redefining the future of energy and chemicals. Our mission: accelerate breakthrough R&D for chemical companies worldwide. We deliver state-of-the-art systems such as Flowrence® and custom-built units, and provide in-house catalyst testing services—empowering clients to innovate faster and smarter. 

Driven by a bold growth strategy in sustainable chemistry, we work at the cutting edge of green hydrogen (electrolysis), plastics recycling (pyrolysis), and Direct Air Capture (adsorption). Thanks to our unique blend of chemistry R&D and engineering expertise, Avantium RDS is perfectly equipped to help shape tomorrow’s sustainable markets. Our passion for a cleaner planet inspires us to constantly push boundaries and seize new opportunities in this rapidly advancing field. 

Your impact 

As a Chemical Process Engineer in our Engineering team, you’ll play a pivotal role at the intersection of innovation, commerce, and operations. Whether you’re designing custom lab units, pioneering proprietary modules, or optimizing equipment, you’ll leverage your deep chemical engineering know-how to deliver safe, reliable, and cost-effective solutions that exceed client expectations. 

You’ll translate complex R&D challenges into elegant system designs balancing flexibility, data output quality and costs. Collaborating with project leads, business developers, engineers, technologists, and scientists, you’ll turn fresh ideas into high-performance, real-world solutions. 

What you’ll do 

• Design and document custom-made lab-scale R&D systems in close collaboration with clients, stakeholders, and internal experts—developing PFDs, P&IDs, and PLC requirements.
• Engage directly with potential customers to understand their needs and present compelling technical solutions.
• Conduct engineering calculations and studies, including HAZOPs and risk analyses, to underpin robust designs.
• Drive process technology performance—crafting test protocols and validating system operation.
• Support mechanical engineers and supply chain colleagues to source and select the best components and suppliers.
• Guide operational teams during system design, build, and validation; provide expert second-line support in collaboration with Customer Service.
• Develop clear, concise technical documentation, including user manual sections.
• Lead or coordinate improvement projects for existing products or processes, advancing new platform technologies in tandem with Product Quality Management and Customer Service.

What you bring 

This opportunity is perfect if you thrive in dynamic, cross-disciplinary environments and bring: 

• Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering (5–10+ years’ experience), or Master’s (4–5+ years’ experience).
• Critical; Minimum 5 years’ hands-on experience designing lab- or bench-scale equipment in production or R&D; experience operating such equipment is a plus.
• Please note: This is not a fit for candidates with only large-scale industrial experience.
• Strong grasp of heat and mass transfer phenomena and processes.
• Advanced expertise in at least one of the following: high-throughput testing, catalysis, adsorption, electrolysis, or pyrolysis.
• Talent for translating process requirements into conceptual and functional designs, cost estimates, and actionable execution plans.
• Passion to tackle challenging projects with a proactive, learning-oriented mindset.
• Sharp analytical skills; excellent communicator; fluent in English; self-propelling.

Why join us? 

At Avantium, you’ll enjoy an environment that prizes curiosity, initiative, and growth. As a compact, agile company, we’ll empower you to learn across R&D, business, leadership, and market strategy—no rigid career ladders here. Your ambition and contributions are noticed and rewarded. You’ll join a flat, inclusive organization that celebrates diversity and fosters a collaborative, supportive culture. Alongside meaningful work, we offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.  

Ready to shape the future? 

If you’re excited to make your mark on a sustainable world, we want to meet you. Reach out to us at recruitment@avantium.com let’s innovate together at Avantium!