R&D Process Engineer

• Own the process engineering deliverables for R&D test stand design—design basis, process flow diagrams, heat and material balances, equipment and line sizing, and supporting calculations that take a new test rig from concept to ready-to-run.


• Apply that rigor first to the gasification program's hardest subsystems—high-pressure oxygen and CO2 control, refractory-lined reactor zones, and syngas analysis, cooling and cleanup.


• Develop and maintain steady-state and dynamic process models to predict performance, explore design space, and inform test planning across active R&D programs.


• Translate test campaign objectives, set by gasification and test engineers, into P&IDs, control narratives, instrument specifications, and safe operating envelopes—bringing rigorous process design to ambitious experimental plans.


• Reduce, analyze, and interpret test data—closing mass and energy balances, reconciling instrumentation, and turning campaign results into design decisions and next-test recommendations on the parts of the system you know best.


• Lead root-cause investigations on fouling, plugging, erosion, instability, and other off-design behavior in a challenging high-temperature, high-pressure service; drive corrective actions through to verified resolution.


• Develop operating procedures, run sheets, and startup/shutdown sequences, and participate in process hazard analyses (PHA/HAZOP) as the test program evolves.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace, or related Engineering field.


• 5+ years of hands-on process engineering experience, with meaningful time spent in an R&D, pilot plant, or test stand context.


• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting fouling, plugging, erosion, instability, or off-design behavior on real hardware—able to walk through specific events, diagnostic approaches, and outcomes.


• Comfort with commercial process simulation tools (Aspen HYSYS, Symmetry, or equivalent), including both steady-state and dynamic simulation.


• Strong fundamentals in chemical engineering and a broad appreciation of adjacent disciplines (mechanical, instrumentation, controls, materials).


• Willingness and ability to travel to Arbor's test site in San Bernardino, CA (approximately 20–40%, weighted toward active campaign windows).


• Highly self-driven, with the ability to identify technical mysteries and pursue them to root cause when operating with loose guidance.


• Strong ownership mentality and curious, inventive mindset comfortable driving rigorous problem-solving in a small, fast-paced startup environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with gasification, oxy-combustion, slag-forming combustion, FCC, coker, hydrocracking, refractory-lined reactors, ash- or solids-handling, or other high-temperature, high-pressure, fouling-prone systems.


• Hands-on operating experience in a pilot plant, test stand, hardware startup, national lab pilot program, or aerospace test cell environment.


• Programming or scripting proficiency for data reduction and custom analysis (Excel, Python, MATLAB, or similar).


• Experience with supercritical CO₂, high-pressure (100+ bar) systems, or power generation.


• Familiarity with PHA/HAZOP leadership, LOPA, and pressure relief design.


• Background in startup, R&D, or first-of-a-kind hardware development environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Pre-IPO stock options


• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Arbor covers 90% for employees)


• Basic life insurance fully covered


• Health savings account (HSA) with matching


• Flexible savings account (FSA)


• Unlimited PTO  


• 12+ company holidays, including Earth Day!  


• 401(k)


• Commuter benefits


• Annual learning and development stipend


• And more!

Base Pay: $140,000 - $155,000 USD/year. The salary is subject to the applicant's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.