Sr. Technical leader - Refining Catalyst Development

Title:

Sr. Technical Leader – Refining Catalyst Development

K  Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) offers holistic, value‑added solutions across the entire asset life cycle, including licensed process technologies, advisory services, and energy transition solutions. This role seeks a chief technical leader for refining catalyst development, responsible for all phases of catalyst commercialization—R&D, manufacturing, and customer support—full‑time in Houston, Texas.

• Provide global technical leadership for refining catalyst technologies across research, development, scale‑up, commercialization, and lifecycle support.
• Act as chief technical authority for revenue‑generating refining catalysts (FCC, hydrocracking, hydrotreating, desulfurization).
• Define and execute technology roadmaps, performance targets, and product evolution strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead catalyst R&D programs, including formulation development, testing, pilot evaluation, and commercial qualification.
• Support catalyst manufacturing strategy, ensuring robustness, quality, and consistency from lab to commercial production.
• Serve as senior technical interface with customers, providing support for trials, performance optimization, troubleshooting, and technical reviews.
• Lead and support commercialization of next‑generation (“blue ocean”) technologies, translating early‑stage concepts into commercial products, pilot programs, demonstrations, and first‑of‑a‑kind applications.
• Support licensing, proposals, and business development, providing deep technical differentiation and credibility.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with R&D, manufacturing, licensing, sales, and project execution teams globally.
• Coordinate with external partners, suppliers, and research organizations as required.
• Provide technical input to IP strategy, including patents, trade secrets, and freedom‑to‑operate assessments.
• Mentor and develop senior technical staff, strengthening long‑term technical capability within K .
• Represent K  as a technical expert in customer meetings, industry forums, and technical conferences.
• Travel domestically and internationally to support customers, commercialization activities, and business growth initiatives.

• Master’s degree in chemical engineering.
• 10+ years of current experience in refining process catalyst research and manufacturing (or equivalent).
• Ability to work in cross‑functional and multi‑cultural environments.
• Strong English verbal, writing, and reading communication skills.
• Ability to clearly convey technical concepts and principles in both verbal and written communications to clients, peers, and K  management.
• Availability to travel 25–50% domestic and international as needed.

• 15+ years of experience, including refining and petrochemical processes.
• Multi‑language capabilities (Korean, Mandarin) preferred.
• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.
• Background in decarbonization, energy transition, and sustainability.

Benefits may include a 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, and flexible work schedule. K  supports career advancement through professional training and development.

K  is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status, or other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law.