Chemical Engineer - Process Design and Commercialization, Critical Materials Crossroads

Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC) in the Office of Strategic Innovation (OSIN) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).

The Chemical Engineer - Process Design and Commercialization serves as a strategic partner to entrepreneurs, startups and university researchers by leading process design, optimization, and scale-up for innovative manufacturing of critical materials, while driving commercialization efforts to translate technical advancements into market-ready solutions, startup opportunities, and entrepreneurial ventures.

The role goes beyond traditional chemical engineering. The position functions as a collaborative translator and leader - working iteratively with multidisciplinary teams, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to interpret input/output data, develop scalable metallurgical and advanced materials production pathways, to create and optimize process designs, models, and commercialization materials that communicate effectively to investors, industry, and business audiences.

The position requires strong technical expertise in translating lab- to pilot- to full-scale materials production plant design, process simulation, and the capacity to guide stakeholders through an iterative front end loading and refinement process from concept to commercial delivery. Projects will include process flow diagrams, mass/energy balances, pilot-plant designs, techno-economic analyses, pitch decks, and front-end commercialization support aligned with university innovation goals, national security, and clean-energy priorities.

Roles

1. Process Engineer
2. Plant Designer
3. Commercialization Liaison
4. Business Development Liaison
5. Multidisciplinary Team Lead

Responsibilities

1. Process Design & Optimization: Responsible for designing and optimizing process flows for critical metals and advanced materials production, from calcining to reduction to hydrometallurgical refining to complexation.
2. Modeling & Analysis: Responsible for working with innovators and engineers, and/or developing and analyzing mass and energy balances, process simulations, and models to enhance efficiency, scalability, sustainability, cost-competitiveness, and commercial viability in producing metals, metal-complexes, and advanced materials from battery cathodes to high-purity rare earth chlorides to nickel/cobalt alloys and industrial catalysts.
3. Commercialization Leadership: Responsible for driving commercialization by collaborating with entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, commercialization officers and/or tech transfer directors to translate technologies into viable products, identify market opportunities, develop value propositions, and support the formation and growth of competitive and profitable new businesses.
4. Entrepreneurial Engagement & Technology Transfer: Responsible for facilitating technology transfer by providing technical expertise to startups, co-developing proof-of-concept demonstrations, conducting techno-economic analyses, generating pro forma, and helping entrepreneurs navigate scale-up challenges toward market entry and private investment.
5. Business Development & Team Leadership: Responsible for supporting business development, building relationships with entrepreneurial networks, corporate partners, and investors, and leading multidisciplinary teams on projects with national security, clean-energy, and high-growth commercial potential.
6. Documentation, Security & Compliance: Responsible for maintaining strong documentation (PFDs, P&IDs, technical reports, commercialization roadmaps, pitch decks) and ensuring the security, confidentiality, and compliance of all project materials and digital assets.

Duties

• Process Design & Development
  • Create process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and other technical assets for research proposals and commercialization projects
  • Design and optimize unit operations, equipment specifications, and plant configurations
  • Develop mass/energy balance models, process simulations (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS), and prototypes
  • Refine existing processes and designs to improve efficiency, scalability, and technical performance
• Chemical Plant Designer
  • Lead full plant design for hydro-metallurgical and vapor-metallurgical pathways producing critical materials
  • Specify equipment, instrumentation, safety systems, and layout for bench-to-pilot-to-commercial scale
  • Conduct feasibility studies, scale-up assessments, HAZOP analyses, and techno-economic evaluations
  • Ensure plant designs meet regulatory, environmental, safety, and national-security requirements while optimizing cost and sustainability
• Commercialization & Business Support
  • Develop pitch decks, investor summaries, commercialization roadmaps, and business-case materials
  • Facilitate technology transfer and entrepreneurial engagement events Travel as needed for entrepreneur meetings, startup events, investor pitches, partner engagements, or industry conferences
  • Support new venture formation and private-investment attraction
• Stakeholder Engagement & Iterative Refinement
  • Engage directly with researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate partners, and technical stakeholders to define project objectives, technical requirements, and commercialization pathways
  • Convert complex process data, experimental results, engineering constraints, and market considerations into actionable, scalable designs and business-oriented recommendations
  • Incorporate multidisciplinary input and iterate on process models, flow sheets, cost estimates, scale-up plans, and commercialization strategies through structured review cycles
  • Prioritize and track multiple simultaneous projects while maintaining alignment with aggressive commercialization timelines and stakeholder expectations
• Standards & Asset Management
  • Apply university and industry design/engineering standards to all materials and documentation
  • Maintain organized process models, templates, files, and digital assets
  • Follow best practices for file management and project archiving
• Security & Compliance
  • Handle sensitive research and commercialization information appropriately
  • Follow university data-protection, cybersecurity, and national-security protocols

Expectations

1. Demonstrate agility in responding to rapidly evolving commercialization priorities, investor feedback, and technical milestones
2. Effectively distribute effort across multiple entrepreneurial ventures, research teams, and strategic initiatives without compromising quality
3. Consistently deliver high-quality technical outputs, analyses, and supporting materials on or ahead of established schedules
4. Apply professional discretion when leveraging simulation software, AI-assisted tools, or external data sources, ensuring technical integrity, intellectual property protection, and adherence to security guidelines
5. Exhibit proactive communication, reliability, and a solutions-oriented approach when partnering with diverse stakeholders in high-stakes, fast-moving environments

NOTE: This position is 100% grant funded and contingent on continued funding. This position may involve travel.

• A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance at the Secret level or higher.

Strongly preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Metallurgical Engineering, or a closely related field (Ph.D. strongly preferred)
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in chemical process design, mass/energy balance calculations, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong background in chemical process engineering principles, including thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, unit operations, and process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS, or similar)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with focus on process design or metallurgy
• 9+ years of experience in critical materials processing, hydrometallurgy, vapor/pyrometallurgy, commercialization, technology transfer, startup support, or entrepreneurial engagement
• Hands-on experience with critical materials (e.g., rare earths, lithium, cobalt, nickel extraction/refining; cathode materials; high-purity metals; catalysts)
• Proven track record working with entrepreneurs, startups, incubators, or venture ecosystems to advance technologies toward commercialization and market impact
• Practical expertise in chemical metallurgy, process flow design, and communicating technical value to entrepreneurial and investor audiences (e.g., business cases, commercialization plans)
• Defense or national security-related experience is a plus

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $95,000 to $120,000 annually.

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual's particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: GGS 13
University Title: MANAGING ENGINEER
To review the University of Missouri's Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

For best consideration, please submit application in full by April 16, 2026. The job opening will remain open until filled.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.