R&D Lead

About Ammobia

Ammobia is on a mission to revolutionize the ammonia industry. We are a seed-stage startup developing Haber Bosch 2.0 — a next-generation ammonia synthesis process enabling cost-effective, clean ammonia production. Clean ammonia will support ammonia’s growing role in our decarbonized world, tackling some of the most difficult to abate sectors including chemicals, fertilizers, and heavy-duty transportation. We are supported by leading climate tech organizations including Starlight Ventures, the Department of Energy, Collaborative Fund, Third Derivative, and more.

Ammobia is seeking a versatile and experienced R&D lead to design, develop, and optimize our core technology unit operations. You will be responsible for the design and development of catalytic reaction and gas adsorption processes, including reactor design, process design, active material (catalyst sorbent) design, and scale-up. You will be a leader in Ammobia’s R&D team and work with the full technical team of chemical, process, materials, and equipment engineers.

You are a hands on technical leader with deep industrial expertise developing novel reaction and sorption processes, including depth of knowledge across chemical engineering and materials science. You are a creative, data driven problem solver who works from first principles. You enjoy fast paced, creative, and collaborative work; you work with a bias towards action and over communication; and you thrive with high levels of autonomy and ownership.

There is significant opportunity to grow your role alongside the company. Responsibilities may include:

Successful applicants will have most of the following qualifications.

• Own and drive technical understanding of Ammobia’s reactor systems
• Develop, specify, and drive progress towards performance KPIs for reactor and material systems
• Conduct and manage bench to pilot scale tests on advanced reactor systems and materials characterization systems
• Develop analytical and computational models of gas-solid reaction processes
• Design and optimize active catalysts, gas sorbents, and formed composite materials
• Design, modify, and maintain custom bench and pilot scale reactor systems
• Manage a small team (1-5) of scientists, engineers, technicians
• Transfer R&D learnings and achievements to pilot and plant process teams
• Analyze and report data to executive team and investors
• Develop intellectual property across materials, process, and reactor development

• Demonstrated expertise in developing and scaling new technologies from the lab to pilot
• Deep quantitative understanding of thermodynamics, kinetics, and heat/mass transport
• Deep expertise in heterogeneous catalysis and reaction engineering
• Working knowledge of porous materials as relevant to heterogeneous catalysis and gas sorption
• Demonstrated experience transferring R&D designs and learnings to pilot and commercial scales
• Prior experience and expertise developing and owning test plans and data outputs from lab-to-bench scale development programs
• Hands on experience specifying, designing, and building custom research and pilot scale chemical equipment, including automation and control
• Experience working with technicians and operators to execute test plans
• Demonstrated expertise in data analysis of time series processes in Python and/or MATLAB
• Expertise in chemical reactor modeling
• 5 years’ experience in relevant industrial setting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated experience managing small teams
• PhD in Chemical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• Prior startup experience and excitement about working at an early-stage start-up

• Demonstrated experience in formed catalyst design and scale up
• Industrial experience designing TSA/PSA gas separation systems
• Expertise in gas sorption and sorbent materials
• Demonstrated experience working with vendors and engineering firms to design, deliver processes, equipment, and materials

We are a small and passionate team of scientists and engineers. We value teamwork, accountability, open communication, and rapid iteration. We emphasize career growth, mutual feedback, and a fun and exciting working environment. Check out  for our full values statement and  to learn more about us.

The position is full-time and in-person in San Francisco, CA. Compensation and job title will be commensurate with experience.