Senior Process Engineer
XFuel, Spain
Job Description
What is XFuel anyway?
Our mission is to decarbonise the transportation industry, and we devote our technology, time and talent to advancing the transition to sustainable low-carbon fuels.
For the world to reach net-zero, we urgently need sustainable liquid fuel replacements now. Over the last 10 years, XFuel has developed and patented technology to produce sustainable low-carbon road, marine and aviation fuels from solid biomass waste sources such as forestry, manufacturing, construction and agriculture.
Our road and marine fuel is a drop-in replacement to fossil fuels, not requiring blending, engine modifications or infrastructure investment in energy distribution or storage. Our project capital requirements are up to 5x lower, and our production costs are comparable or lower than fossil fuel market prices. We have a pilot plant in Mallorca, Spain with a production capacity of ~1m litres per year which demonstrates our technology, and have a modular approach to scaling up production in our commercial projects.
Our first commercial project planned is in Wilton international, Teesside, UK, with site, suppliers and global off-taker partners lined up, initially producing 4.6m litres of fuel and saving 10k tons of CO2 per year in 2023. We are planning a follow-on phase with an additional 4x the production and savings in 2024.
We have recently closed an oversubscribed financing round from top-tier international VCs and impact funds, and are collaborating with some of the most forward-thinking and innovative corporates in the world.
XFuel’s goal is to build, own and operate plants globally, becoming the full-stack sustainable fuel company for the 21st century. We are rising to the challenge of decarbonising the transportation industry and we are looking for passionate people to help us get there. We hope to find people that reflect our mission, vision, values and drive.
What is my mission?
Your first mission in this role is to be part of the core engineering team in driving our modular technology to commerciality over the next 18 months, pathing the road to decarbonising the transportation industry.
You will be assisting in the design, planning, licensing, construction and commissioning of our first commercial-scale biorefinery conversion and desulphurisation plant. You will also be working closely with the head of engineering to design, revise and implement improvements on our demonstration plant in Mallorca, Spain, as well as being integral in the growth and nurturing of our core engineering team.
Requirements
Specific responsibilities will include:
- Assisting in the designing, planning, licensing, construction and commissioning of our first modular commercial-scale industrial plant.
- Review and development of conceptual and front-end process engineering, process simulation, equipment lists and data sheets.
- Working as part of a team in the reviewing and preparation of PFD amp; Pamp;ID, and HAZID amp; HAZOP assessments.
- Collaborating with and evaluating external engineering, environmental, licensing and construction parties.
- Developing and implementing improvements to our existing pilot plant (Mallorca, Spain).
- Contributing to team and organisational improvements in process and best practices.
- Participating in techno-economic and scale-up evaluation, including the implementation of Critical Design Review processes.
- Working with the team in the development and investigation of all our products.
- Assisting in the growth and nurturing of the core engineering team.
Those who are successful will progress quickly, either as individual contributors or following a management path.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Holds a degree in Chemical/Process Engineering
- 6+ years experience in the design, implementation and project management of process oriented systems, with a preference for bio-refining (biomass to liquid), pyrolysis, thermal conversion, catalytic processes, oil refining, carbon capture, or other related processes.
- Consistent track record of working on and collectively delivering sophisticated projects.
- Understanding of renewable energy concepts, trends, and economics.
- Excellent and clear communication skills for team-based working and external parties.
- Can work both independently and collaboratively, as needed, to achieve your mission.
- Be a highly motivated, proactive and passionate person.
- Feel drawn to the company mission and vision, and excited to be part of our culture.
- Is a self-starter who thrives in constantly evolving environments, ideally with early-stage start-up experience.
It would be beneficial to be:
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