Lead Process Engineer – Ammonia/Methanol Cracking & Hydrogen Systems

Newlight
San Francisco, US
On-site

Job Description

Newlight’s mission is to accelerate the maritime industry’s transition to sustainable energy by making clean shipping affordable, starting with today’s fleet. We retrofit existing engines with a hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel “plugin” that reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

We’re seeking a Lead Process Engineer to own the end-to-end ammonia/Methanol cracking process, from NH₃ feed to engine-grade hydrogen. You will define performance targets, build process models, specify equipment, and translate system requirements into vendor-ready designs.

This role is ideal for a senior process engineer who thrives on thermodynamics, gas systems, and turning flowsheets into deployable hardware.

What You Will Be Doing

  • Define the complete process chain: NH₃ vaporization and preheat, cracking reactor, heat recovery, NH₃ slip mitigation, drying/filtration, compression, and buffering.
  • Build mass and energy balances and steady-state process models (Aspen/HYSYS preferred; Python or spreadsheets acceptable).
  • Specify product gas targets (H₂ purity, NH₃ slip, dew point), turndown ratios, ramp rates, and operating envelopes.
  • Author equipment specifications for reactor, heater, heat exchangers, separators, scrubbers/adsorbers, compressors, valves, and instrumentation.
  • Develop PFDs and P&IDs; maintain process datasheets and instrument lists.
  • Lead RFQs with vendors, evaluate bids, and support technical sourcing decisions.
  • Define utility loads (electrical, thermal, cooling) and system performance assumptions.
  • Collaborate closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Safety on integrated system design, HAZID/HAZOP, and commissioning readiness.

Requirements We Seek

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
  • 3+ years in process or chemical engineering, ideally with high-temperature gas systems.
  • Hands-on experience with catalyst reactors, furnaces/heaters, and gas cleanup technologies (adsorption, scrubbing, PSA, membranes).
  • Strong ability to translate process requirements into vendor-ready equipment datasheets.
  • Experience producing PFDs, P&IDs, and process documentation.
  • Clear technical communication and comfort working cross-functionally and on-site.

Ways To Stand Out

  • Direct experience with ammonia/Methanol or hydrogen systems.
  • Marine integration or shipboard process systems.
  • Hazardous-area design exposure.
  • Python-based modeling or custom process tools.
  • Prior ownership of commissioning or performance validation of gas-process equipment.

Why Join Newlight?

  • Own the system logic: You will define how ammoniaMethanol becomes clean hydrogen at sea.
  • Build something real: Take models and turn them into operating vessels.
  • Shape the roadmap: Influence architecture as we scale from pilots to fleets.
  • Mission with momentum: Deliver decarbonization on today’s ships, not future concepts.

Skills & Requirements

Technical Skills

Chemical engineeringProcess engineeringHigh-temperature gas systemsCatalyst reactorsFurnaces/heatersGas cleanup technologiesPfdsP&idsProcess documentationRfqsTechnical sourcingUtility loadsSystem performance assumptionsHazid/hazopCommissioning readinessPython-based modelingCustom process toolsCross-functional collaborationTechnical communicationSustainable energyMaritime industry

Employment Type

FULL TIME

Level

lead

Posted

4/10/2026

Continue to LinkedIn

You will be redirected to the job posting on LinkedIn.