Process development engineer Jobs in Newark, NJ

Process Technician

About Us

Queens Carbon is pioneering breakthrough technology to efficiently produce carbon-neutral cementitious materials — without the green premium. Our patented manufacturing process, known as “The Instant Pot of Cement Manufacturing,” uses water to lower production temperatures, dramatically improving energy efficiency and cutting emissions. Backed by Breakthrough Energy Fellows, ARPA-E, world-class climate investors, and strategic partners, we're proving that sustainability can be both economically viable and globally competitive.

Position Overview

As a Process Technician at Queens Carbon, you will maintain, operate, and improve pilot-scale equipment and processes related to the development of novel cement and supplementary cementitious materials. In this role, you will primarily work with the Product Evaluation and Demonstration team to plan and execute scale-up campaigns, ensure and improve process reliability, and contribute to process optimization efforts. You will also work with the Engineering team to fabricate components, modify process equipment, conduct preventative maintenance, and support facility improvement projects. This role will support operation of both mini-pilot systems and an in-house pilot-scale demonstration system to validate scalable, repeatable operation.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Safely operate and monitor pilot- and demonstration-scale process equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), commissioning plans, and experimental protocols.
• Prepare equipment and materials for experimental and scale-up runs, including system setup, calibration, inspection, and post-run cleaning.
• Monitor key process variables, review trends, record operating data, and respond appropriately to alarms, deviations, or abnormal conditions.
• Execute defined sampling and material handling plans, ensuring accurate labeling, traceability, documentation, and timely delivery of samples to the laboratory for characterization and quality assurance testing.
• Perform routine preventative maintenance and basic troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation components to support safe, reliable operation.
• Support the installation, shakedown, commissioning, and startup of new pilot and demonstration-scale equipment, including first-of-a-kind systems.
• Maintain clear and accurate records of equipment performance, maintenance activities, system modifications, and operational observations to support data integrity and scale-up learning.
• Identify and communicate opportunities for process optimization, reliability improvements, and equipment or procedural enhancements, with particular attention to safety, operability, and repeatability.
• Interface with process controls systems (PLC/HMI) to monitor operating conditions, respond to alarms, and provide operational feedback to engineering teams to improve system reliability and usability.
• Collaborate closely with R&D scientists, engineers, and demonstration operations staff to translate experimental objectives and scale-up goals into executable operating plans and procedures.
• Participate in the continuous improvement of SOPs, commissioning checklists, and operating practices as processes, equipment, and organizational capabilities evolve.

Requirements

The job is performed in a hands-on work environment. The employee must have the ability to sit, stand, walk and lift 35 pounds unassisted or more than 35 pounds assisted. The employee must be able to communicate well in both verbal and written means and use fine motor skills to operate a computer, make measurements and control equipment/machinery.

• Associate degree or technical certification in mechanical, chemical, industrial, or process technology, or equivalent hands-on experience in a relevant technical role.
• 2+ years of experience in a process technician, operator, or similar role within a pilot plant, laboratory, or industrial process environment.
• Familiarity with mechanical and process systems such as pumps, valves, pressure vessels, instrumentation, solid material handling systems, screw conveyors, and basic process control systems.
• Hands-on experience with equipment maintenance, piping and fittings, basic electrical work, and mechanical fabrication or modification.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to read, interpret, and follow technical documentation, including SOPs, equipment manuals, and work instructions.
• Willingness to support flexible work hours during commissioning periods, experimental campaigns, or extended operating runs when needed.
• Prior involvement in equipment installation, shakedown, commissioning, startup, or scale-up activities is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated discipline in data logging, experimental execution, and sample traceability, with attention to detail and data integrity.
• Ability to work full-time and in person at Queens Carbon's facility in Cedar Grove, NJ.
• A great team-focused attitude, and a willingness to teach and learn from others.

These requirements are not set in cement, so if you're passionate about this role and think you'd be a great fit, please reach out!

Benefits and Salary

• A competitive salary
• Equity in the company
• Insurance options including health, dental, vision, life, and 401k.
• A friendly time-off policy that encourages a healthy work-life balance.
• Company-wide hiking retreat on Earth Day
• Cool company swag :)

We're Committed to Diversity

Queens Carbon is committed to building a diverse team and is home to an inclusive culture. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strive to include a variety of voices in our team that can provide different perspectives. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability status, age, or veteran status.