Aramco Americas R&D

Sr. Synthetic Fuel Lab Scientist (1746)

R&D Houston Downstream Research Center - Houston, TX - Full Time

OVERVIEW:

Aramco Americas is establishing a state‑of‑the‑art research center in Houston dedicated to advancing CO₂ capture, low‑carbon liquid fuels and chemicals, renewable energy, and energy storage solutions, as well as artificial intelligence applications in the energy sector. The center’s mission is to transform early‑stage, low‑TRL research into mid‑level technologies (TRL 5–7), bridging the gap between fundamental discovery and practical deployment.

SCOPE:

Aramco Americas is seeking senior synthetic fuels Scientist with expertise in catalytic testing and evaluation to lead interdisciplinary research initiatives advancing low-carbon synthetic fuels and CO2 conversion technologies. The role will focus on designing, executing, and interpreting catalytic experiments to evaluate novel catalysts and reaction pathways for e-fuels and synthetic liquid fuel productions. Key responsibilities include developing and operating bench- and pilot-scale catalytic testing systems; generating performance, stability, and deactivation data under industrially relevant conditions; and translating experimental results into process insights for scale-up and integration. The position will work closely with materials scientists, process engineers, and business stakeholders to optimize catalytic processes for deployment across Aramco’s global operations and affiliate networks. The role involves a combined of scientific research, process development, and engineering activities, including hands-on work with pilot and demonstration systems. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background in heterogeneous catalysis and reaction engineering in leading multidisciplinary projects and advancing technologies from laboratory testing through pilot validation and deployment.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Propose and develop novel pathways to produce low-carbon fuels by valorizing low value streams, co-feeding of renewable resources or e-fuels production.


• Lead projects and project teams to pilot and demonstrate low-carbon fuel technologies.


• Conduct periodic gate review meetings which involve aligning with proponents and Aramco/affiliates engineering.


• Formulate objectives, technical scope and requirements for technology demonstration


• Determine the development steps, deliverables, and milestones.


• Estimate the development schedule, resources, and costs.


• Conduct pre-FEED (DBSP) level engineering studies.


• Detailed engineering, construction, start up, and operation of demonstration systems.


• Oversee testing and analyze testing results


• Write technical reports of investigations and publications, reviews existing patents.


• Mentor junior staff


• Provide and manage a safe, accident-free laboratory environment.  Follow all company safety rules in performing job duties.


• Lead collaborative research efforts internally (other R&D areas of the company) and externally (academic researchers).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• PhD Degree in Science/Engineering Discipline as appropriate for the area of expertise for the assigned jobs. 


• Nine (9) year’s industry experience in a substantive industrial, technological or laboratory area relevant to the job’s assignment.


• Must be able to communicate and comprehend accurately, clearly and concisely in English at a level required to perform the job as outlined.


• Candidate should be comfortable in working independently or part of a project team, and frequent project presentation.  Must possess good work habits, a strong work ethic, and be able to adhere to company work hours, policies, and standard business etiquette.

NO THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES ACCEPTED