Lithium Processing Chief Engineer

Job Summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS’ expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Chief Engineer to serve as the senior technical authority for a first-of-a-kind chemical processing capability supporting a national security mission. The Chief Engineer will own the end-to-end process architecture, from bench-scale demonstration through the design, construction, commissioning, and sustained production operation of a purpose-built processing facility. The Chief Engineer will report to the Manager, Concept Formulation, will partner with the Program Manager, and will serve as the single point of technical accountability to the customer, national laboratory stakeholders, and GA-EMS executive management.

With broad latitude, this position exercises considerable independence in developing designs, procedures, techniques, and solutions to advanced process engineering problems. Assignments are normally outlined only in terms of broad objectives and critical reference points. The Chief Engineer guides resolution of the program’s most difficult technical problems and directs professional staff as well as subcontracted engineering, analytical, and construction partners.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the technical authority for the complete lithium purification process line: feed dissolution and filtration, crystallizer drying, electrolytic reduction to lithium metal, and hydriding of lithium metal at elevated temperature and pressure.
• Owns the process flow diagrams, mass and energy balances, P&IDs, equipment specifications, and process control strategy; establishes and defends the scale-up basis from demonstration quantities to full-scale annual production.
• Plans and executes the process demonstration campaign, including run plans, process parameters, batch records, and technical reports documenting product performance against specification.
• Directs the sampling and analytical strategy used to predict finished-product composition; interprets results across titration, gravimetric, ion-specific probe, combustion, mass spectrometry, and infrared methods; and drives root cause analysis and corrective action when product trends off specification.
• Leads technical coordination with national laboratory and government production-site counterparts on test method validation, process change notification, and acceptance criteria.
• Provides technical direction to the facility design and construction partner and to analytical and metrology subcontractors, ensuring process, throughput, hazard category, material handling, utility, effluent, and measurement requirements are correctly translated into design and procurement packages.
• Leads process hazard analysis and safety basis development for reactive metals, hydrogen service, corrosive byproducts, and moisture-sensitive materials; ensures designs comply with applicable DOE, OSHA, NFPA, and ASME requirements.
• Establishes the material accountability and process control framework that traces each batch through every process step, including run sheets and in-process reconciliation.
• Identifies process improvements, automation, and equipment modifications that reduce unit cost and improve yield over the life of the program.
• Serves as the focal point for technical communication within Company management and as the prime technical contact to customers, national laboratories, and regulatory agencies; presents at design, readiness, and program reviews.
• Mentors process, mechanical, controls, and quality engineers; may lead a team of experienced professional staff.
• Leads the technical response to Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including technical volume authorship, basis of estimate development, and technical risk identification.
• Maintains the strict confidentiality of sensitive and classified information.
• Responsible for observing all laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the Company.
• Expected to work in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.
  
  
  

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; eighteen or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, sixteen or more years of experience with a masters degree, or thirteen or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education
• Demonstrated experience owning a chemical or metallurgical process from laboratory or pilot scale through commissioning and sustained production operation, including responsibility for scale-up basis and process performance guarantees.
• Direct hands-on experience with one or more of the following is required: hydride or metal hydride production; molten salt or aqueous electrolysis and electrowinning; crystallization and drying operations; reactive alkali metal handling; or inert atmosphere and glovebox processing.
• Working knowledge of analytical chemistry for process control and product acceptance, including titration, gravimetric analysis, combustion analysis (LECO), ICP-MS, TIMS, and FTIR/DRIFT/ATR spectroscopy; able to define measurement requirements and challenge analytical results.
• Experience developing process safety documentation for hazardous chemical or nuclear operations, including process hazard analysis, hazard categorization, and safety basis or documented safety analysis.
• Experience with quality systems and configuration control in a regulated production environment (NQA-1, ISO 9001, AS9100, or equivalent); familiarity with nuclear material control and accountability requirements is highly desirable.
• Experience directing engineering, analytical, or construction subcontractors, including statement of work development, technical evaluation of proposals, and surveillance of subcontractor technical performance.
• Prior experience supporting DOE, NNSA, or Department of Defense programs, including interface with national laboratories and government production sites, is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated project technical leadership, including the ability to organize, plan, schedule, and coordinate workloads to meet established deadlines and milestones.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately throughout an evolving environment.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required, enabling an effective interface with other departments and/or professionals, and capable of representing the organization as a prime technical contact, as well as providing leadership and guidance to less experienced professionals.
• Customer focused, formulates plans based on the development of innovative new designs in resolving advanced technical engineering problems.
• Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment, and to work in a lead capacity across multiple programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Able to work extended hours and travel as required.
• A Professional Engineering License, original work(s) published in professional engineering journals, and invitation to present one or more original works at an engineering symposium are desirable.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance with access to Secret Restricted Data is required.
  
  
  

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Salary range: 143,600 - 251,375