Research Engineer (Process)

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Process & Chemical Engineer to lead the development, assessment, and scale-up of advanced treatment solutions for complex water, wastewater, and industrial effluents. The role combines deep chemical engineering fundamentals with strong process engineering capabilities to design, validate, and deploy innovative treatment solutions across physico-chemical, biological, thermal, membrane, and electrochemical domains.

The candidate will be responsible for conducting detailed treatability studies, developing integrated flowsheets, and implementing pilot- and field-scale systems for diverse industrial sectors including petrochemicals, refineries, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and heavy manufacturing. The role requires a strong grasp of contaminant behaviour, reaction engineering, separation processes, and system optimization. The candidate will work across laboratory testing, simulation, bench-scale experimentation, and on-site troubleshooting to deliver high-value treatment strategies. Close collaboration with chemical, biological, thermal, desalination, and digital teams is essential to ensure end-to-end technology development and deployment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end treatability studies covering characterization, experimental design, optimization, and performance validation of water, wastewater, and industrial effluents.
• Develop integrated flow sheets using physico-chemical, chemical, biological, electro-chemical, membrane, and thermal processes based on effluent characteristics.
• Conduct lab-scale and pilot-scale experiments, analyze results, and refine process conditions for scale-up.
• Simulate and model processes using tools such as ASPEN Plus, HYSYS, GPS-X, or equivalent to support design and optimization.
• Work closely with technologists, mechanical engineers, and field teams to translate laboratory findings into deployable pilot systems and field-scale implementations.
• Evaluate external technologies (both mature and early-stage innovations) and assess their applicability, differentiation, and integration potential.
• Support ZLD, high-TDS effluent treatment, and industrial sludge management programs, including development of novel chemical/physical treatment strategies.
• Generate mass balance, energy balance, and kinetic models to inform design and scale-up decisions.
• Assist in techno-economic analyses, benchmarking, cost estimation, and feasibility assessments for treatment technologies.
• Prepare detailed engineering documents, SOPs, experimental logs, and technical reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with digital teams to incorporate data analytics, process monitoring, and modelling improvements.
• Contribute to publications, patents, and standardization initiatives emerging from successful R&D programs.
• Provide field troubleshooting support for treatment failures, optimization needs, or performance deviations at customer plants.
  
  

Qualifications

• Education: PhD or M.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Industrial Chemistry, or related disciplines.
• Experience: ~10 years total, with a minimum of 5 years in water, wastewater, or industrial effluent treatment.
• Strong knowledge of reaction engineering, separation processes, mass transfer, and water chemistry.
• Experience with lab-scale experimentation, pilot testing, and field implementation.
• Familiarity with process simulation tools (ASPEN, HYSYS, GPS-X, BioWin, or equivalent).
• Publications: Minimum 3–5 publications in peer-reviewed journals; patents or book chapters preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to work with cross-functional R&D teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  
  

Location

Water Technology Centre, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu