Process Engineer Westwood Aerogel Co. San Leandro, CA Job Details Full-time $80,000 - $100,000 a year 5 hours ago Benefits Relocation assistance Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Flexible schedule Retirement plan Qualifications Laboratory experiment design Chemical handling safety procedures MATLAB Production data analysis Chemical Engineering Bachelor of Science Design of experiments Personal protective equipment (PPE) adherence Manufacturing facility experience Master of Science Quality control problem-solving Safety equipment Industrial chemical handling Chemical safety protocols Respirator Full Job Description Process Engineer - Aerogel Manufacturing Scale-Up Chemical or Mechanical Engineering | San Leandro, CA | Full-time, on-site About Westwood Aerogel Westwood Aerogel uses a proprietary manufacturing method to produce low-cost, high-performance aerogel insulation. Our first product, ZeroTherm, is an aerogel-based thermal barrier for aerospace, construction, and battery packs that improves fire safety and insulation performance. We've proven the process at lab and pilot scale. Now we need an engineer to help take it to production - larger parts, higher throughput, fewer defects, and a process that runs safely and repeatably every day. Westwood Aerogel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. The Role As our Process Engineer, you'll own key pieces of the scale-up from bench to production. You'll split your time between designing and building equipment, running experiments to understand what drives yield and quality, and turning what you learn into robust, documented processes. This is a hands-on role on a small team of materials scientists and engineers - your designs will be on the floor in weeks, not years. What You'll Do Scale up sol-gel casting, solvent exchange, and drying steps to higher throughput. Design, specify, and build process equipment - molds and cavity frames, part-handling fixtures, heating systems, gas and pressure systems - with an eye toward manufacturability, cost, and operator safety. Design and run controlled experiments that isolate process variables, find the root causes of defects, and improve yield and thermal quality.

Instrument the process:

specify sensors and data-capture systems, help tune pressure and temperature controls, and analyze process data to drive decisions. Install and commission facility utilities and process systems such as compressed air, nitrogen, high-pressure piping, and ventilation. Lead safety work for the process, including HAZOP and risk reviews, P&IDs, and equipment rated for flammable-solvent environments (Class I, Div 2). Write and maintain SOPs, train technicians, and transfer processes from development to production. Contribute to grant-funded projects through technical work, reporting, and milestone planning, and to patent filings as new methods are developed. What We're Looking For Required Qualifications B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent technical education may also be considered. 2+ years of hands-on experience in process development, scale-up, or manufacturing engineering in a lab, pilot, or production setting. Experience designing experiments and analyzing data to solve process or quality problems. Comfort working safely with solvents, chemicals, and pressurized systems. Preferred Qualifications Experience with aerogels, sol-gel chemistry, or other porous materials. Pressure vessel, high-pressure piping, or process-safety experience (HAZOP, P&ID, hazardous-location equipment). Data acquisition and control experience (Lab

VIEW, PID

control, Python, VBA, or MATLAB). Proficiency with 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar) and designing parts for real fabrication - GD&T, DFM, sheet metal, machining, and 3D printing. Familiarity with FEA, heat and mass transfer modeling, or equipment sizing. Experience in an early-stage company or on grant-funded (SBIR/DOE/DoD) projects. Physical Requirements / Work Environment Ability to work regularly in laboratory, pilot-scale, and chemical manufacturing environments, including standing or walking for extended periods and lifting or moving materials and equipment up to 40 lbs (18 kg). Ability to safely handle chemicals, powders, raw materials, and process equipment while wearing required PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, protective clothing, footwear, and respirators when required. May be exposed to powder or dust, heat, noise, chemical odors, and other conditions typical of a chemical manufacturing or pilot production environment. Why Join Us Shape how a new material gets manufactured - your equipment and processes will become the foundation of our production line. Direct ownership and visibility on a small, collaborative team. Opportunity to be named as an inventor on new process patents. Work on a product with real-world impact on fire safety and energy efficiency. Compensation & Benefits Salary range: $80,000 - $100,000/yr, depending on experience. Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage Flexible work hours Relocation assistance available How to Apply Send your resume and a short note about a process or piece of equipment you've scaled up or improved to .

Pay:

$80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Health insurance Paid time off Relocation assistance Retirement plan

Work Location:

In person