Careers

Chemical Engineer II
Department: Chemical Engineering
Location: San Diego, California

Sapphire Energy is a venture capital backed company developing next generation biofuels based on recent advances in metabolic engineering. The company focus is the commercialization of high performance, low cost, and low carbon footprint biofuels that will substitute for conventional gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Job Description

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering with at least 4 years industrial experience. Hands on experience in process development and R&D. Ability to interact with commercial functions to facilitate new product development. Candidate will play an integral role in the development, enhancement, and implementation of process design configurations. Ability to function well individually as well as part of a multi-discipline project team, strong communication both oral and written and organizational skills.

Essential functions

• Provide engineering support and conduct R&D activities
• Pilot plant design
• Developing and maintaining an understanding of competing and parallel technologies

Industrial experience in any of the following areas will be a plus:

• Vegetable oil extraction or refining
• Spray dryer, spin flash dryer, flash dryers
• Centrifuges, extruders, expellers, expanders, pelletizing
• Solvent extraction equipment, desolventizing, oil bleaching, degumming, distillation
• Lipids
• Esterification, hydrolysis
• Analytical or organic chemistry with fats, oils and derivatives
• Basic understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry concepts
• Demonstrated ability to flourish in a start-up environment.

Biofuels is an industry experiencing explosive growth at the moment. This position is in a stimulating environment in an industry that will be of increasing importance in coming years.

Sapphire offers very competitive compensation packages including bonuses and equity, as well as full benefit packages which include health, dental, vision insurance, 401k, and paid time off. To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to human.resources@sapphirefuel.com.

Posted November 10, 2008