Description
Leidos is seeking a chemical engineer to support the evaluation of novel and legacy energetic materials and formulations at its Picatinny, NJ location.
The primary responsibilities of this role include setting up, operating, and optimizing continuous flow processes, such as continuous flow synthesis reactors, continuous crystallizers, continuous separators, and other continuous flow equipment.
The engineer will also be expected to perform product isolation and characterization work, such as filtration and operation of analytical tools including NMR, IR, Raman, and UV/Vis spectroscopy.
Primary Responsibilities
- Analyze data on the synthesis of molecules of interest to the U.S. Army, and execute research protocols in support of research, development, and production objectives.
- Interact with outside customers, vendors, and researchers to support contracted and subcontracted projects.
- Test, evaluate, troubleshoot, repair, maintain, install, and calibrate equipment for continuous processing.
- Create, evaluate, and analyze Design of Experiments (DOEs) for the optimization of continuous processes.
- Support acquisition of new equipment through market research, purchase, and installation.
- Establish standard operating procedures for the safe and effective operation of material testing.
- Collect, organize, and perform data analysis, and verify/correct data entry.
- Maintain clear and accurate logbooks, generate material balances; collect and record detailed observations about experiments.
- Assist with preparation of technical reports, summaries, posters, data presentation, and protocols.
- Present work being conducted at program reviews, conferences, and other venues.
- Maintain compliance with established laboratory health and safety guidelines, as well as established methods/procedures.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related fields.
- Foundational and theoretical understanding of general scientific principles.
- Well-organized and self-motivated.
- Strong competencies with Excel and other Microsoft Office tools.
- Hands-on experience with laboratory experimental procedures.
- Experience with mass balances, chemical reactor design and selection, and DOEs.
- Effective written and verbal communication.
- Ability to work in a team-based environment.
- U.S. citizenship required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with other analytical methodologies, such as GC-MS and HPLC/UPLC.
- Familiarity with crystallization processes.
- Knowledge of reaction calorimetry and reaction characterization/quantification.
- Experience with modeling software (e.g., Dynochem, Aspen) and its application to finding optimal parameters for chemical reactions and recrystallization.
The pay range for this position is $57,850.00 - $104,575.00.