Process Engineer

URBIX, INC.

We are a growing technology startup company based in Mesa, Arizona (greater Phoenix area) that offers its employees a dynamic entrepreneurial environment, the opportunity to participate in the unprecedented growth of EV battery markets and exposure to the largest automakers and battery OEMs in the world.

The Company: Urbix, Inc. is a US-based developer of graphite processing technology. Our proprietary technology utilizes a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach for the production of anode materials for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles (EVs).

• We aim to be the leader in the rapidly growing domestic market for graphite anode material to be used in a variety of applications including EVs, military systems and other industrial electrification applications
• The Company operates facilities in Mesa, AZ and Research Triangle Park, NC with more than 60 employees.
• The Mesa facility is focused on continued pilot operations for sample production and completing the Company’s commercial demonstration module along with a state-of-the-art battery testing laboratory and quality control capabilities. The Research Triangle Park facility is focused on process optimization using artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques in addition to conducting R&D on innovative battery systems and advanced processing technologies.
• The Company was recently selected for a $125 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains for a 10,000tpa commercial-scale production facility. Detailed Engineering will commence in 2025.

Job Summary: We’re looking for full-time Process Engineers. The Process Engineers are responsible for being the subject matter expert on their process area and continuously developing and “locking in” improvements over the entire project. A major focus of this role is to manage development, design, vendors, and systems to achieve the best project outcomes including  safety, environment, quality and cost targets. 

Our Process Engineers will be the key members of our Owners team delivering the first US designed benchmark anode project. Their contribution to the remaining Study Gates and construction and ramp-up for the production of anode materials of the future will establish these engineers as Subject Matter Experts in Urbix and also globally.

Benefits:

• We offer company paid medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• 401k
• We also provide competitive Paid Time Off and Paid Sick Leave.

Experience:

• Health, safety, and environmental familiarity including hazard identification, risk assessment, understanding safety regulations, ability to design with safety in mind, incident investigation, performing audits.
• Interdependent Safety Culture, teamwork, and communicating safety concerns and rewarding and celebrating safety improvements 
• Preferred Technology Development or site Start-up Experience in Mineral Processing. Previous Battery Anode Production experience an advantage 
• Familiarity and Capability in a number of Project and Operations Systems including LEAN, OEE, Problem Solving, Standardized work, MOC, VFL, Risk Matrix, Commissioning, PSSR, Punchlist, Loop Checks, Process Information, Central Control 
• Process Engineering Discipline Experience including familiarity with P&IDs, PFDs, Gant charts and scheduling software, and familiarity with process engineering mass and energy balance software packages such as MetSIM, SysCAD, Aspen
• Confidence reporting progress to strategic framework with Visual Management and Dashboards.

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Responsibilities:

Compliance and Safety:

• Ensure compliance with internal, external, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop safety procedures for working with hazardous materials and dangerous chemicals.
• Continuously improve processes and equipment to reduce risk.
• Active participation in safety interactions. Positive safety culture and continuous improvement in individual and group values and commitment to zero harm.

Process Optimization and Improvement:

• Strategic leadership of the overall Process Units in areas of responsibility. Continue the development, configuration, and optimization of  industrial processes from concept through preferred option, pilot, commercial demonstration, commercialization, and start-up and certification.
• Assess existing processes and workflows, identifying areas for safety improvements, process improvements, CAPEX and OPEX efficiency, and waste reduction
• Design, implement, and test new procedures to improve productivity and quality of output. Perform process simulations and analyze data to upgrade systems and processes
• Create standardized procedures for operation, troubleshooting,  and maintaining assets.
• Recommendation of preferred vendor and equipment configuration to deliver design intent for Pilot, Commercial Demonstration Plant and Production Facility.
• Accountable for the Gated Study input in area of Process Discipline, Contribute to the Process Engineering Discipline in Definitive Feasibility and Detailed Engineering Studies. Specifically, contribute to Process Narration, Test Result Validation, Equipment Layout, Hazop, and Control and Operating Design.

Maintenance and Operations and Vendor Support:

• Provide engineering support for day-to-day operations, ensuring equipment efficiency and infrastructure maintenance.
• Escalation to other work teams including Maintenance, Control, and Laboratory. Accountability for assessment and assignment of support requirements for electrical, mechanical, control and lab disciplines to achieve the work plan.
• Point of contract for Vendors. Accountable for Vendor relationship and strategy for validation of external vendor testing for qualification samples and equipment development. Supervise Vendor testing. QAQC equipment development

Data Analysis, Reporting, and Tracking:

• Manage data collection software for process, maintenance and operations reporting, creating automated reports to support decision-making.
• Use standardized LEAN tools of Problem Solving, Standardized work. Monitor and assess process performance through metrics and simulations. Report progress to Site Strategic Framework
• Integration, Consolidation, and tracking progress to daily, weekly, and monthly reports. Daily visual management, weekly dashboards, and monthly reporting accountability.

Research and Development:

• Conduct research to develop new or improved manufacturing processes.
• Design and plan equipment layout for optimized production flow.

Additional skills and experience that would make someone successful in this role:

• Behavioral Safety Leader and belief that all accidents and illnesses are preventable  
• Enthusiastic about the project, value, and its deliverables. Strong participation with Visual Management of the area of expertise. LEAN Practitioner 
• Demonstrate integrity and responsibility through honest, respectful and transparent communication;  
• Strong leadership skills, demonstrating commitment to influence and to seek to understand alternate perspectives with the intent to align strategy  
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to establish rapport with a wide range of individuals both within and outside the organization. 
• High performing team member 
• Ability to identify engineering and operational gaps. Develop customized measures Pilot and PO success  

Education and Certification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field (graduate degree preferred).

Working Conditions:

• General work environment - sitting for long periods, standing, walking, typing, carrying, pushing, bending, and working in confined spaces or at heights.
• Work is conducted primarily indoors/warehouse with varying environmental conditions such as: dust, and fluorescent lighting.
• Noise level is usually medium to high
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs.

Work Schedule:

• Time - 40 – 50 hr week

The Location: Urbix’s Mesa Facility

The list of job requirements above is not intended to be exhaustive or all-inclusive. Travel to Vendor development facilities dependent on the Process Area Discipline. The Company reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.