Chemical Engineer

About the Role

Leidos is seeking a Chemical Engineer to support the evaluation of novel and legacy energetic materials and formulations at its Picatinny, NJ location.

Key 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 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.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Setup, operation and optimization of continuous flow processes, such as continuous flow synthesis reactors, continuous crystallizers, continuous separators and other continuous flow equipment.
• Perform product isolation and characterization work, such as filtration and operation of analytical tools including but not limited to NMR, IR, Raman and UV/Vis spectroscopy.

Qualifications

• Candidate must have completed a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related fields.
• Foundational and theoretical understanding of general scientific principles.
• Must be 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.
• Must be able to work in a team-based environment.
• US citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with other analytical methodologies, such as GC-MS and HPLC/UPLC preferred.
• Familiarity with crystallization processes is a bonus.
• Knowledge of reaction calorimetry and reaction characterization/quantification preferred.
• Experience with modeling software (i.e. Dynochem™, Aspen™) and its application to finding optimal parameters for chemical reactions and recrystallization a major plus.