Process Lead - Materials Science
Company Description
With increasing demand for sustainable, low-cost, and lightweight materials, we are at the verge of depleting all our natural resources while tackling climate change. To gain access to inexpensive and sustainable lightweight materials, CarboMat has been working tirelessly over the last three years to be at the forefront of carbon fiber production space. Our innovative technology to produce carbon fibers from waste by-products (i.e., asphaltenes) is at least 50% less energy efficient with a 60% lower production cost compared to conventional carbon fibers. As we continue to grow, our goal is to contribute towards a net-zero future sooner before 2050 and help Canada be a leader in the global carbon fiber industry.
CarboMat is looking for a Process Lead- Materials Science to lead one of our largest projects in technology development and support the design, commission, and operation of our kg-scale carbon fiber pilot facility for R&D and technology de-risking. The Process Lead- Materials Science would also assist the ongoing research and development projects that are directly linked to our core technology. The successful candidate will be an integral member of a small but quickly growing talented group of engineers, researchers, and scientists. The candidate will report directly to the founders of the company.
Duration: Full Time
Approximate Starting Date: Upon hiring (Earliest possible).
Location: Calgary, AB
Salary Range:$60-65,000 annually, which is subject to statutory deductions (i.e., CPP, EI, Income Tax, etc.).
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the assembly and commissioning of CarboMat’s kg-scale pilot facility for technology scale-up and R&D activities in collaboration with our scale-up partners
• Prepare comprehensive FEED reports for the pilot facility outlining design decisions, modifications, process yield, and quality consistence
• Investigate and optimize carbon fiber manufacturing process conditions (e.g., spinning, thermo-oxidative stabilization, carbonization, graphitization, etc.) to achieve superior mechanical and electrical properties
• Investigate suitable and continuous spinning parameters for different types of feedstock materials with varying isotropic and anisotropic domains
• Lead preparation, processing, and handling of carbon fibers for extensive and iterative R&D with customers to produce non-woven mats, weaved fabrics, sheets, etc.
• Assist the Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in optimizing, monitoring, and troubleshooting process plant operations, ensuring quality, efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Assist in the fabrication of carbon fiber reinforced composites using various techniques such as compression molding, injection molding, vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding, 3D printing, etc. to achieve competitive properties of composite materials. - Oversee installation processes of various high-end instruments, providing support and conducting demonstrations to ensure efficient operation post-installation.
• Collaborate with multiple strategic partners (customers) for design and testing of various carbon fiber reinforced composite structures tailored towards specific applications as minimal viable products (MVP)
• Prepare milestone reports with key findings for ongoing projects, outlining progress, challenges, and future objectives
• Assist other researchers in preparing scientific manuscripts for publications
• Lead patent preparation activities to protect innovative technologies and developments ensuring compliance with intellectual property laws and regulations
• Conduct experimental analysis, quantification, and validation of results including troubleshooting and optimizing experimental conditions
• Foster laboratory and plant safety protocols and maintain best practices
• Travel occasionally to partner sites for R&D testing, product demonstration, and scale-up implementation
Skills and Qualities:
- Master’s, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry,vPolymer Engineering, Fiber Science, or related discipline
• 2+ years of direct experience in melt extrusion of asphaltenes and/or polymeric materials to produce consistent quality as-spun filaments
• Advanced laboratory skills including wet chemistry techniques and material characterization techniques (e.g., FTIR, XRD, CHNS, TGA, TG-MS, XPS, Raman, rheology, cross polarized microscopy, softening point measurement, etc.) following laboratory safety and hazard.
• Intermediate to advanced skills in design, optimization, and scale-up of industrial processes including expertise in mass and energy balances, process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), reactor design and sizing
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in carbon fiber reinforced composite fabrication methodologies
• Excellent communication and organizational skills and ability to lead and collaborate with internal and external teams; ability to multi-task and have a strong focused mindset.
• Outstanding technical writing (protocols, reports, investigations, etc.) skills.
• Willing to grow with the company and contribute towards technology development.
• The candidate needs to be a Canadian PR, Citizen, or have a valid work permit to work for this role.
CarboMat is deeply committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. Our core values, including integrity, innovation, accountability, inclusivity, adaptability, and teamwork, guide our daily interactions and decision-making. We believe that by embracing these values, our employees contribute not only to the success of our organization but also to their own personal and professional growth. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We invite you to explore how your skills and values align with our company, and we look forward to discussing how you can make a meaningful impact as a valued member of our team.
If you are passionate about this opportunity and believe that you have the skills to excel in this role, please apply and we look forward to reviewing your application. Please forward your application package, which includes 1) a cover letter, 2) a resume, explaining how you meet the required qualifications to hiring@carbomatinc.com
Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.
