Senior Process Engineer - Electrochemical Reagent Generation

About the role

Lilac is seeking a Senior Process Engineer – Electrochemical Reagent Generation to own the technical evaluation, development, optimization, and integration of reagent generation technologies, including bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPED), chlor-alkali, electrolysis, and other potential acid/base generation systems.

This role will serve as Lilac’s in-house technical lead for reagent generation and will be responsible for advancing these technologies from laboratory testing and vendor evaluation through pilot- and demonstration-scale process design and ultimately commercial-scale deployment.

This is a highly collaborative and hands-on position working across Technology, Engineering, Projects, and Operations to develop and deploy reagent generation solutions within Lilac’s overall process flowsheet. This is a full-time position with up to 25% domestic and international travel to pilot and project sites.

What you'll do

Process Development, Integration & Experimental Work

• Design and execute laboratory- and pilot-scale experiments to characterize and optimize reagent generation systems.
• Develop a fundamental understanding of key equipment and operating tradeoffs, including reagent concentration, efficiency, energy consumption, membrane lifetime and equipment performance.
• Translate experimental findings into equipment requirements, operating parameters, and design criteria for pilot- and demonstration-scale systems.
• Evaluate interactions with upstream and downstream unit operations, including reagent storage, recycle streams, utilities, water balance, and waste streams.

Vendor Evaluation & Technical Due Diligence

• Lead technical evaluation and due diligence of reagent generation technologies and equipment suppliers.
• Critically assess vendor proposals, process designs, performance guarantees, equipment scope, and operating assumptions.
• Normalize vendor quotations to enable meaningful comparisons across technologies and suppliers.
• Develop structured technical recommendations for technology and vendor selection.

Technoeconomic Analysis

• Develop and maintain CAPEX and OPEX models for reagent generation systems.
• Evaluate technoeconomic tradeoffs between technologies, vendors, system configurations, operating conditions, and integration strategies.
• Work cross-functionally to identify reagent generation solutions that provide the best combination of cost, efficiency, reliability, and operability.

Scale-up & Deployment

• Support the design, commissioning, and operation of pilot- and demonstration-scale reagent generation systems.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process performance in collaboration with vendors and internal teams.
• Translate operating experience into improved equipment specifications, design criteria, and operating strategies.
• Develop the technical basis for eventual commercial-scale deployment.

Team Contribution

• Operate with a team-first mindset and contribute beyond reagent generation when projects require it.
• Work effectively across internal teams and external vendors.
• Be comfortable moving between hands-on experimental work, equipment troubleshooting, technical analysis and process design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, chemistry or related field.
• Approximately 4-8 years of relevant experience in electrochemical systems, membrane processes, process development, or related technologies.
• Hands-on experience with pilot-, demonstration-, or commercial-scale electrochemical, membrane, reagent generation, or related process equipment.
• Strong process engineering fundamentals including process scale-up, equipment integration, and technoeconomic analysis.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Pass a respirator fit test periodically, occasionally stand for up to 8 hours per day, occasionally move up to 50 lbs, and wear PPE.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with BPED/BMED, electrodialysis, chlor-alkali, electrolysis, or other reagent generation technologies.
• Experience scaling new process technologies from laboratory through pilot, demonstration, or commercial deployment.
• Experience with high-TDS brines or concentrated electrolytes.
• Experience in lithium processing, DLE, brine processing, or other critical minerals applications.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation for this role is based on relevant experience, skills, and overall fit for the role. The range provided represents our typical compensation for this position, though actual pay may fall outside this range depending on qualifications.

• Annual base salary of $135,000 - $175,000
• Discretionary bonus
• Stock options
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 401k with pre- and post-tax investing options
• Flexible spendings account/Health savings account
• Group and term life
• Flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Eight weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Monthly phone stipend
• Daily catered lunch for on-site employees

The salary range listed reflects our good-faith estimate of the compensation for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined by a number of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant skills, experience, and geographic location.