Senior Process Engineer

About Us

Savor is a venture-backed startup pursuing transformational technology to produce high-quality, value-added fats and oils for food, cosmetics, and specialty chemistry industries without negative climate impact. We believe our deeply technical company is taking an absolute swing for the fences in the climate fight and are looking for someone who shares our passion for the mission.

Senior Process Engineer

You will be a primary technical interface between R&D, Manufacturing, and our external EPC contractors responsible for the integrity of our process technology as we advance an active FEL study for our first-of-a-kind commercial facility. We're looking for someone with the depth and confidence to own decisions, lead external partners on their own, and scale our technology.

Responsibilities

•      Develop and maintain deep technical mastery of the company's proprietary process technology, including Aspen simulation models and the technical basis underpinning capital projects

•      Serve as the day-to-day process engineering interface with our EPC — manage the needs list, field technical queries, and hold the EPC accountable to schedule and scope

•      Lead and attend weekly progress meetings; track action items and flag risks or scope creep to the project manager

•      Review and approve the Basic Engineering Package (BEP), including mass and heat balances and PFDs, with input from Manufacturing, R&D, and Marketing

•      Co-approve P&IDs following thorough review and alignment with Manufacturing

•      Develop the process-related critical equipment list and approve purchase specifications

•      Set or confirm product and raw material specifications in coordination with R&D, Marketing, and Manufacturing

•      Modify, maintain, and develop the Aspen process simulation model through all project phases; validate outputs and document assumptions

•      Identify and evaluate process risks and uncertainties; lead or participate in risk analyses (HAZOP, What-If, LOPA)

•      Ensure process designs meet applicable safety and environmental requirements, with input from Manufacturing and HSE

•      Act as the active interface between R&D, Engineering, and Manufacturing for process information; coordinate R&D programs to address gaps in process data

•      Support commissioning and startup activities; transfer knowledge and provide operational guidance to Manufacturing

•      Document decisions, assumptions, and open items; maintain a clear and current technical record throughout each project phase

Qualifications and Skills

•      B.Sc., M.Sc. or PhD in Chemical Engineering

•      10 years of process engineering experience in specialty chemicals, oleochemicals, petrochemicals, or a closely related sector

•      Demonstrated experience owning process technology through multiple capital project lifecycles, from FEL 1 through startup

•      Hands-on experience overseeing EPC contractors in a technology-owner or owner's engineer capacity

•      Proficiency in Aspen Plus or Aspen HYSYS — able to navigate, interrogate, and develop an existing simulation model

•      Strong working knowledge of PFD and PID review and approval through FEL and FEED-stage projects

•      Excellent verbal and written communication; able to represent technical positions clearly to engineering and non-engineering audiences

•      Proven ability to work independently and maintain momentum on active projects with competing priorities

Preferred:

•      Background in heavy organic chemistry, fatty acid processing, or related reactive separation chemistry

•      Experience with high-pressure or high-temperature unit operations in a process safety-conscious environment

•      Familiarity with liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) systems, including electrolyte or reactive systems

•      Experience with hydrogenation and/or esterification unit operations at commercial or pilot scale

•      Working experience with multi-stage vacuum distillation — design, simulation, and troubleshooting

•      Familiarity with capital project stage-gate processes (FEL 1–3, pre-FEED, FEED) and associated deliverable sets

If there are items under Qualifications & Skills that you are working towards or would like to develop, we still encourage you to apply.

What we Offer

Savor offers compensation commensurate with experience, including a base salary of $160,000–$200,000. Additional benefits include:

•    Equity participation at a meaningful stage in Savor’s growth.

•    This role is eligible to participate in Savor's performance bonus program, currently under development. The program is anticipated to offer a target bonus of 10–15% of base salary, tied to individual and company performance.

•    Health, dental, and vision coverage.

This role is preferred on-site at our Batavia, IL location, but offers hybrid flexibility. Full remote would be considered for exceptional candidates. This position may require occasional travel (up to 30%) to both our Batavia site and future siting locations for our first-of-a-kind facility.

Savor is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any other employment decision on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Contact amee@savor.it with your resume/CV if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity.