Manufacturing Jobs in Richland, WA (Now Hiring) — 60 open

Overview


Responsibilities

The Chemical and Biological Processing Group is seeking a senior researcher to lead research in slurry processing, rheology, particle transport, and flow assurance. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise from fields such as mining and mineral processing, food processing, pulp and paper, wastewater treatment, or other industries that routinely handle concentrated, heterogeneous, or non-Newtonian slurries.

This position will apply fundamental and applied knowledge of slurry behavior to improve feed handling, pumping, mixing, heat transfer, solids transport, fouling mitigation, and reliable operation of continuous-flow process systems. 

 

• Designs, develops, and operates processes or unit operations to create a diverse range of products. 
• Evaluates and manipulates the chemical properties of various substances used in the fabrication of new products.
• Designs, models evaluates, and implements chemical processes, instrumentation, and equipment to ensure effectiveness in engineering and design.
• Performs trials, tests, and/or experiments to support engineering, production, and/or R&D activities.
• Applies the principles of chemistry, nuclear science, biology, physics, material science, math, and engineering to solve problems that involve the production, use or conversion of chemicals, materials, and energy.
• Uses the principles of biology and the tools of engineering to mimic biological systems to create products or to modify and control biological systems so that they can replace, augment, sustain, or control chemical and mechanical processes.
• Lead research and development focused on slurry processing, particle-laden flow, rheology, fouling, deposition, plugging, and flow assurance in continuous-flow systems.
• Design and execute experiments using flow loops, pumps, mixers, piping, heat exchangers, valves, and other continuous-flow equipment.
• Apply experimental methods, computational fluid dynamics, and engineering analysis to understand slurry transport, particle settling, solids suspension, pressure drop, mixing, heat transfer, and fouling.
• Potentially develop and validate CFD models, mechanistic models, engineering correlations, and scale-up methodologies for particle-laden and non-Newtonian flow systems.
• Use modeling to identify regions of poor mixing, low velocity, recirculation, particle accumulation, erosion, deposition, and plugging within process equipment.
• Integrate model predictions with rheological measurements and flow-system data to guide design, operating conditions, and fouling-mitigation strategies.
• Translate experimental and modeling results into actionable recommendations for process operation, equipment modification, and scale-up.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams addressing fluid mechanics, materials handling, heat transfer, process control, and equipment design.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, mining engineering, mineral processing, food engineering, fluid mechanics, rheology, or a closely related field. 
• Demonstrated research expertise in slurry processing, rheology, particle-laden flow, multiphase flow, fouling, or flow assurance. 
• Significant hands-on experience with continuous-flow systems processing solids-containing, concentrated, heterogeneous, or non-Newtonian materials. 
• Experience applying computational fluid dynamics to slurry transport, multiphase flow, particle-laden flow, mixing, heat transfer, fouling, deposition, erosion, or equipment design. 
• Experience with CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, COMSOL Multiphysics, STAR-CCM+, or comparable platforms. 
• Knowledge of modeling approaches for non-Newtonian fluids and particle-containing systems, such as Eulerian–Eulerian, Eulerian–Lagrangian, discrete phase, population balance, or discrete element methods. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop, validate, and interpret CFD models using experimental or operational data. 
• Experience measuring and interpreting rheological properties and incorporating those properties into flow models and equipment-design decisions. 
• Experience with slurry pumping, pipeline transport, solids suspension, particle settling, mixing, heat transfer, or flow through complex equipment geometries. 
• Experience investigating fouling, deposition, agglomeration, plugging, erosion, or wear in continuous-flow equipment. 
• Demonstrated ability to design, construct, modify, operate, or troubleshoot experimental flow systems or flow loops. 
• Ability to connect fundamental fluid and particle behavior with practical equipment performance, operability, and process reliability. 
• Experience primarily limited to batch systems does not meet the needs of this position. Direct experience with continuous-flow slurry systems is strongly preferred.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
 

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

 

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

 

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at [email protected].

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

 

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.  If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. 

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication.  The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

 

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

Research Associates excluded.

**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

 

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards

Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

 

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $148,000.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary

USD $233,900.00/Yr.