Chemical Engineer Technical Expert (Biofuels) - Remote

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider committed to driving sustainable energy innovation. As a Chemical Engineer Technical Expert (Biofuels), you will serve as a subject matter expert in biochemical processes, manage projects, and lead assessments in renewable fuel technologies.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert in biochemical processes, providing valuable insights into cutting-edge advancements and industry best practices
• While being a SME would be your primary role, our SMEs are also asked to manage the cost, scope, and schedule of one or more projects. In this role, they are the primary contact for our clients on a project and are responsible for the delivery of the work product and managing the report through our QA/QC process
• Leverage your process technology background to evaluate designs of oil and gas, biofuel, renewable chemical, and hydrogen production systems. Ensure their capability to meet product specifications within project financial parameters
• Lead scoping and feasibility studies, author design basis, equipment lists, layout drawings, and deliver other essential services in FEL-1 and FEL-2 packages
• Review and refine capital and operating cost assessments, contributing original Class 4 and 5 cost estimates through a combination of vendor quotes, public resources, and precise spreadsheet calculations
• Draft technology sections for due diligence reports used in project financing, showcasing your technical expertise
• Travel to project sites to oversee pilot or demonstration facilities, monitor construction progress, and conduct performance tests for emerging commercial facilities
• Be a primary resource at ICF for alcohol to jet, renewable diesel, ethanol, and other renewable fuel technologies. Speak to potential process risks and costs for oligomerization processes, hydrotreating, fermentation, and other technology pathways
• Be a primary engineering resource in projects which produce hydrogen through an SMR, thermally, or using electrolysis
• Be a primary resource at ICF for renewable natural gas technologies, encompassing landfill gas gathering systems, anaerobic digesters, and gas clean-up systems
• Manage independent engineering or owner’s advisory projects, collaborating with clients, organizing ICF teams, and overseeing project finances and reporting
• Participate in business development meetings, contributing to proposal writing and engaging with potential clients
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships within the developer, financial institution, and technology provider communities

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in chemical/mechanical engineering or a related field with a focus on renewable and conventional fuels
• 15+ years of experience in a technical role
• Experience with the design and construction of biofuel/biochemical project
• Experience in start-ups and other low TRL process technologies
• Experience managing projects and an fundamental understanding of cost, scope, and schedule management with clients. Understanding of the interplay between process performance, operating costs, and project financial viability
• Experience in process design, product standards, equipment selection, and process energy efficiency methods
• Experience communicating technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences
• US Citizenship due to government contract requirements
• Professional Engineering license
• Prior experience at a refinery and petrochemical facility
• Prior experience at an EPC contractor or detailed engineering firm
• Prior experience working on FEL-1, FEL-2, and FEL-3 projects
• Experience with remote work environments or organizations
• Background in technical due diligence for project financing
• Familiarity with Carbon Intensity calculations and methodologies (e.g., Cal-GREET, ANL-GREET, Open LCA)
• Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment systems
• Familiarity with thermochemical systems like pyrolysis, hydrotreating, and gasification
• Eagerness to learn about emerging technologies, validate conceptual designs, and assess feasibility
• A desire to aid in business development, meet new clients, and find new opportunities
• A willingness to participate on projects which have technologies that are unfamiliar to you