RAPID Technology Director

AIChE, founded in 1908, is a professional society of more than 60,000 chemical engineers in 110 countries. Its members work in corporations, universities, and government, using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop safe and useful products for the benefit of society. AIChE fosters and disseminates chemical engineering knowledge, assists the professional and personal growth of its members, and applies the expertise of its members to address societal needs and improve the quality of life. Through its varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for information exchange on the frontiers of chemical engineering research in such areas as energy, sustainability, biological and environmental engineering, nanotechnology, and chemical plant safety and security.

The RAPID Manufacturing Institute, part of the Manufacturing USA network, operates out of AIChE, in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), as a collaborative technology ecosystem (development, scale-up, education) to enable the transformation of the process industries for a decarbonized, energy and capital efficient future further advancing U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.

Position Summary

The Technology Director will lead RAPID’s new Technology Valuation team integrated in the wider Tech Team, reporting directly to RAPID’s Chief Technology Officer. This is a key new senior technical leader position key to RAPID’s updated strategy to develop and use technology valuation methods and tools to enable the transition of the chemicals and fuels industries to a decarbonized and efficient future.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the “gates” of the new RAPID Phased Approach to project technology development and scale-up, particularly focusing on technology readiness, commercialization potential and market fit.
• Refine existing of “readiness levels” (TRL/MRL/BRL) to be applied to the decarbonization of the chemical and fuels industries and develops of best practices for their identification and progression.
• Develops and implements best practices and internal standards for process technology valuation, including the application of industrial standard methodologies such as technoeconomic analysis (TEA), lifecycle assessment (LCA) with particular emphasis on carbon (GHG) footprinting, and technology to market (T2M) approaches.
• Directs all Technology Valuation work (TEA/LCA/T2M) by the RAPID team on RAPID programs and projects.
• Leads RAPID activities in modeling and simulation, including the existing RAPID Software Toolbox and related tools.
• Defines and manages activities in the new “Modeling and Data Science” Technology Thrust focused on use of new computing technologies (AI/ML, data science, high performance computing, etc.) to practical decarbonization challenges in the process industries.
• Participates on new funding proposals to agencies and other funding institutions, leading technology valuation and modeling activities.
• Contributes to the development of RAPID’s technology goals and objectives and leads all aspects of the Institute’s technical program, in accordance to the Institute’s mission and strategy.
• Co-leads RAPID’s calls for projects, project selection, and communications with entities who submit projects.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position leads the new RAPID Technology Valuation Team, including staff, experienced consultants, and RAPID Postdoctoral Fellows

Requirements

Education and Experience

• BS in chemical engineering or related discipline required, with MS or PhD preferred. 
• Industrial experience of 10 years or more in process development, process optimization, process intensification, process design and valuation.  Experience performing economic evaluation of alternate process designs.
• Process modeling, simulation and optimization, including industrially relevant tools (simulators) and modern computing concepts and tools.
• Experience managing technical projects.
• Working knowledge and experience with contracts, licensing agreements and intellectual property protection.
• Track record for delivering results.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Negotiating skills (business arrangements, project contracts, licensing, etc.)
• Experience in building and sustaining partner relationships.  Experience in R&D portfolio management.

Work Environment

This is a demanding position which requires a personal commitment to the missions of AIChE and the DOE’s EERE office, and the ability to handle a diverse project load.  The position may be fulfilled via telecommuting by a candidate with demonstrated ability to work across geographic boundaries with multi-location teams. The position is expected to require 30-50% travel.

Benefits

While this is a remote role, this role requires 30-50% travel.

Compensation Full-Time - $175,000- $200,000

We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

• Bonus opportunity
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 403b Retirement Plan with Company Match: AIChE 100% of the first 3% of your eligible pay you contribute to the plan
• Paid Vacation and Sick Days
• Holiday pay
• Educational Assistance
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Various Employee Perks and Discounts

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.