Lead Process Engineer – Ammonia Cracking & Hydrogen Systems

Newlight’s mission is to accelerate the maritime industry’s transition to sustainable energy by making clean shipping affordable, starting with today’s fleet. We retrofit existing engines with a hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel “plugin” that reduces fuel consumption and emissions.

We’re seeking a Lead Process Engineer to own the end-to-end ammonia cracking process, from NH₃ feed to engine-grade hydrogen. You will define performance targets, build process models, specify equipment, and translate system requirements into vendor-ready designs.

This role is ideal for a senior process engineer who thrives on thermodynamics, gas systems, and turning flow sheets into deployable hardware.

What You Will Be Doing

• Define the complete process chain: NH₃ vaporization and preheat, cracking reactor, heat recovery, NH₃ slip mitigation, drying/filtration, compression, and buffering.
• Build mass and energy balances and steady-state process models (Aspen/HYSYS preferred; Python or spreadsheets acceptable).
• Specify product gas targets (H₂ purity, NH₃ slip, dew point), turndown ratios, ramp rates, and operating envelopes.
• Author equipment specifications for reactor, heater, heat exchangers, separators, scrubbers/adsorbers, compressors, valves, and instrumentation.
• Develop PFDs and P&IDs; maintain process datasheets and instrument lists.
• Lead RFQs with vendors, evaluate bids, and support technical sourcing decisions.
• Define utility loads (electrical, thermal, cooling) and system performance assumptions.
• Collaborate closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Controls, and Safety on integrated system design, HAZID/HAZOP, and commissioning readiness.

Requirements We Seek

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years in process or chemical engineering, ideally with high-temperature gas systems.
• Hands-on experience with catalyst reactors, furnaces/heaters, and gas cleanup technologies (adsorption, scrubbing, PSA, membranes).
• Strong ability to translate process requirements into vendor-ready equipment datasheets.
• Experience producing PFDs, P&IDs, and process documentation.
• Clear technical communication and comfort working cross-functionally and on-site.

Ways To Stand Out

• Direct experience with ammonia or hydrogen systems.
• Marine integration or shipboard process systems.
• Python-based modeling or custom process tools.
• Prior ownership of commissioning or performance validation of gas-process equipment.

Why Join Newlight?

• Own the system logic:
  You will define how ammonia becomes clean hydrogen at sea.
• Build something real:
  Take models and turn them into operating vessels.
• Shape the roadmap:
  Influence architecture as we scale from pilots to fleets.
• Mission with momentum:
  Deliver decarbonization on today’s ships, not future concepts.