About us: We’re a startup company with proven technology developing eco-friendly and bio-renewable surfactant chemicals for consumer products, such as laundry detergents and personal care products. Sironix has invented and developed a series of new surfactant molecules that will make our consumer products work better and benefit our environment. We have received over $7M in government investment and partnerships along with recent venture funding. We are searching for an applicant who can help us refine and scale our surfactant manufacturing process, overcome barriers to technology commercialization and achieve a more responsible future for the cleaning and personal care industry.
Summary: As Head of Research and Development at Sironix Renewables, you will be joining a company at the forefront of green chemistry, bio-renewables, and product development. You will be aiding the development and scale-up of surfactant production methods as we transition from pre-pilot toward commercial scale manufacturing. Responsibilities primarily involve coordinating with contract and chemical manufacturers to de-risk and scale manufacturing processes, designing and implementing experimental plans to meet customer product specifications, supporting R&D efforts as they relate to intellectual property and grants management, as well as performing equipment maintenance as required. They will lead a small team of full-time research scientists while managing relationships with contract engineers. Quality control, including use and maintenance of chromatography, spectroscopy and surfactant performance test instrumentation, will be an important focus to assure our product continues to meet our standards as scaling continues. Tasks require management of simultaneous research projects, effective communication with customers, collaborators, and other team members, as well as auxiliary technical tasks outside of typical lab work to help grow our business. As is the nature of research, creative problem solving is required in order to ensure consistent and confident data. The working conditions and fellow employees are relaxed, but we are motivated and determined to build a name for ourselves and change the way the world cleans!
Salary: A starting salary of $110,000 to $150,000 per year is expected.
Position Type: This is an in-person regular full-time position located in Seattle, WA.
Desired Start Date: As soon as possible.
Location: Sironix Renewables is located within the West Woodland Business Center in the southeast corner of the beautiful Ballard neighborhood. With our office and lab space nestled between the scenic Woodland Park Zoo a mile to the east and the bustling Ballard Markets a mile to the west, our neighborhood is the perfect combination of thriving startups and local breweries. There are also proximal public transit options to access Ballard Locks, University of Washington, Lake Union, as well as popular downtown destinations such as Pike Place and the Seattle Waterfront.
Compensation and Benefits
Sironix is proud to offer employees a competitive total compensation package as well as a comprehensive benefits program designed to support the whole lives of our employees and their families. Current benefits include:
- Stock options
- Medical, vision, and dental health benefits plan
- 20 days of paid time off per year in addition to paid sick time
- 13 additional paid holidays annually, including 11 federal and state holidays and 2 floating holidays to recognize cultural, religious, or personally significant events.
- Transit pass that includes unlimited light rail and bus trips
Duties/Responsibilities
In consultation with the CTO, CEO, and contracted engineers, develop and execute a process scaling strategy and roadmap including a detailed schedule and milestones
- Work with contract and chemical manufacturing partners to determine data/experiments needed to improve process economics and product quality
- Leverage process design experience and feedback from experiments to introduce innovative strategies that enhance process performance
- Contribute to the conceptualization, design, and development of Sironix’s commercial-scale surfactants manufacturing process
- Conduct routine and emergency maintenance to chromatography, spectroscopy and performance testing instrumentation to minimize downtime on R&D projects
- Guide overall process development and deployments to follow best laboratory practices, for example, with regards to documentation, safety, and project management
- Provide or coordinate analysis to assure quality control in scaled production methods
- Data processing and presentation, both internal and for publication
- Communicate with our academic and national lab partners as we work to advance our numerous projects
- Review project reports to ensure projects are on schedule and within budget.
- Prioritize and meet deadlines, while managing multiple research projects
- Manage shipping logistics of R&D and quality control samples for collaborators/customers
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related Engineering discipline with 2 years of relevant industry experience, or M.S. with 4 years of relevant industry experience, or B.S. with 6 years of relevant industry experience required
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience working independently to design and implement chemistry experiments in the laboratory, including demonstrated wet chemistry skills as well as analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret and refine results
- High mechanical aptitude and knowledge of mechanical concepts needed to maintain, troubleshoot and repair mechanical equipment and electrical device
- Experience in use and instrument maintenance for analytical techniques such as GC, UV/Vis, TGA, DSC, and HPLC
- Proficient in appropriate productivity software like MS Office suite
- Current authorization to work in the US and ability to relocate to the Seattle, WA USA area is required
- Passionate and willing to aide in the development of Sironix and yourself
Preferred Experience & Qualifications
- Technical knowledge of chemical process development in surfactants, petrochemical, or related industries
- Experience transitioning new process technologies to pilot or commercial scale
- Ability to conceptualize, test, and scale creative and effective new chemistry solutions
- Experience with processes including high temperature/pressure batch reactions, liquid/liquid separations, liquid/solid separations, and distillation
- Prior experience hiring, training, and mentoring technician-level staff
- Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with staff at all levels
- Experience in a startup setting
Travel
10-20% travel may be required
Physical Requirements
- Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift
- Will climb stairs on an occasional basis
- Will lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis
- Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis
- Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures
- Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time, which includes typing, viewing data, and manipulating documents and data.
- May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis
- May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis
Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. The successful candidate will be required to pass a background check and must not be excluded from participation in federal programs.
