Process Engineer

Description:

Process Engineer – Pyrolysis & Carbon Systems

Role Summary:

Own the performance, modelling and validation of our pyrolysis systems at Royal Wootton Bassett, while contributing to their development and scale-up across a broader carbon removal platform.

You will work hands-on with a live plant, combining process modelling, operational support and engineering judgement to optimise performance and improve system design.

As a multi-skilled engineer within the site team, you will support operations, maintenance and safe systems of work, while helping turn a working plant into a repeatable system that delivers measurable climate impact at scale.

Why this matters:

We are building systems that remove carbon from the atmosphere and turn waste into a stable, long-term carbon store.

Royal Wootton Bassett is where these systems are proven, improved and prepared for deployment.

Your work will turn a working plant into a repeatable system that delivers measurable climate impact at scale.

THIS ROLE REQUIRES 3 - 4 DAYS ON SITE

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:

Plant operation, maintenance and optimisation

* Work directly on our Royal Wootton Bassett pyrolysis facility

* Monitor, troubleshoot and optimise plant performance across varying conditions

* Support day-to-day operations and maintenance activities alongside the site team

* Assist with fault finding, basic maintenance tasks and system interventions where required

* Adjust process parameters based on real-time performance and test outputs

* Support commissioning, integration and testing of new systems and upgrades

* Conduct flue gas analysis and use outputs to inform process performance and optimisation

Process modelling and system design

* Build and maintain process models using Aspen (mass and energy balance, system optimisation)

* Translate plant data into model improvements and design insights

* Support design and performance validation of new and existing pyrolysis systems

* Contribute to process design documentation, calculations and system specifications

Lab testing and material analysis

* Conduct hands-on testing (e.g. moisture content, carbon content using muffle furnace)

* Analyse feedstock and biochar outputs to understand system performance

* Use lab data to inform process improvements and modelling assumptions

Engineering development and scale-up

* Contribute to the design and development of new pyrolysis systems and projects

* Support technical reviews of technologies and external partners

* Participate in safety assessments (HAZOP, risk assessments) and change processes

Data, monitoring and MRV support

* Support the design and validation of monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems

* Ensure process data can be accurately captured, interpreted, and used

* Work closely with the carbon team to ensure outputs are technically robust

Site systems, safety and team support

* Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments (RAs)

* Support the development of safe systems of work and site documentation

* Contribute to training and upskilling of site personnel

* Ensure compliance with site procedures, permits and safety requirements

What we are looking for:

Core requirements

-Degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline

-Experience in process engineering within industrial, energy, waste or chemical environments

-Strong grounding in heat and mass balance and process behaviour

-Experience with process modelling tools (Aspen strongly preferred)

-Comfortable working hands-on in a plant environment

Technical Experience:

-Experience with process safety (HAZOP, HAZID, risk assessments)

-Familiarity with CDM regulations and engineering project environments

-Exposure to control systems (PLC, HMI, DCS)

-Ability to interpret and work with process data and instrumentation

-Experience contributing to plant commissioning or modification

Valuable experience (not essential):

-Pyrolysis, thermal processes or energy-from-waste systems

-High-temperature or solids-handling processes

-CAD or engineering drawing review capability

-Lab testing, materials analysis or process validation work

-Chartered status or working towards it

You will love this role if you:

-Want to work on a real system and see the results of your work immediately

-Enjoy improving and refining processes through testing, data and iteration

-Are motivated by taking something that works and making it scalable

-Like combining hands-on engineering with modelling and system thinking

-Care about building technology that has a clear, practical impact on climate