Process Engineering Senior

8 Rivers is a Durham, NC firm focused on the invention, development, and commercialization of sustainable, infrastructure-scale solutions to global problems through impactful technologies. Our process enables us to innovate in industrial fields that are lacking in creative disruption. 8 Rivers has demonstrated expertise in generating and commercializing large-scale, meaningful solutions to some of the most challenging problems facing the world today and across a variety of industries in the clean energy, carbon capture, and clean fuels sectors.

The company innovates widely in adjacent markets in the clean energy technology space. Some of our marquee technologies include the Allam-Fetvedt Cycle - a zero-emission power production system that enables low-cost power production with inherent carbon capture, 8RH2 - our innovative clean hydrogen technology utilizing CO2 convective reforming to achieve
8 Rivers is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to design, optimize and commercialize a portfolio of innovative energy technologies and project development opportunities. This role is ideal for an entrepreneurial engineer who is excited to work at the intersection of technology development, commercialization, and sustainability, and who wants to contribute to the deployment of transformative energy solutions.
This role involves building and refining process models to support high-impact decisions and advance the company's and client's growth, commercialization, and decarbonization objectives.
Build simulation models using software like Aspen Plus to evaluate system performance.
Conduct mass and energy balances to validate performance across various operating conditions.
Scale up designs to full infrastructure-scale deployment.
Evaluate market viability of new clean energy technologies alongside business development teams.
Inform capital decisions by translating complex technical process data into clear financial metrics.
Conduct techno-economic assessments to compare novel system costs against traditional energy baselines.
Partner with business development to evaluate market viability, identify project opportunities, and engage prospective clients.
De-risk technology portfolios by identifying critical technical bottlenecks prior to commercial rollout.
Draft technical documentation including white papers, patents, and specifications to protect intellectual property.
Project Development & Engineering
Develop engineering packages including Basic Engineering Package (BEP) and Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)
Support client engagement by tailoring core technologies to unique customer site needs.
Maintain startup agility by rapidly pivoting designs based on commercial feedback.
Engineering degree: Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Strong proficiency building and refining steady-state and dynamic models in Aspen Plus, Aspen Hysys, or similar software.
Deep understanding of advanced thermodynamic cycles, heat integration, and mass/energy balances.
Core chemical process knowledge: minimum of 3 years working in industries such as power production from fossil fuels, syngas generation/processing/ cleanup, hydrogen /ammonia, and/or with exposure to point source capture, and/or clean energy technologies
Experience developing Basic Engineering Packages (BEP) and Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Heat and Material Balance (HMB) and equipment specifications.
Experience moving complex industrial chemical processes from conceptual or pilot scale to commercial deployment.
Ability to translate highly technical process data into clear, actionable business insights for non-technical stakeholders
Experience conducting techno-economic assessments (TEAs) and capital cost estimation for novel energy technologies.
Specific familiarity with the Allam-Fetvedt Cycle, supercritical CO2 (sCO₂) systems, or advanced hydrogen production.
Experience collaborating on patent applications, drafting technical white papers, or securing technology IP.