Job Title:
Engineer III, Advanced Extraction Process Development
Job Description:
Engineer III, Advanced Extraction Process Development
The Role
Our site in Colorado Springs, CO is seeking a hands-on Engineer III, Advanced Extraction Process Development to support the development, startup, optimization, and qualification of advanced extraction processes for ultra-high-purity membrane manufacturing.
In this role, you will work across multiple membrane extraction and cleaning platforms, including solvent extraction, separations and solvent-recovery operations, and alternative-fluid or high-pressure process technologies. You will help build robust process capability, connect equipment and process performance to membrane cleanliness and physical properties, and transition new extraction methods from development into controlled manufacturing.
During the initial phase, you will focus heavily on equipment installation, startup readiness, commissioning, qualification, and hands-on troubleshooting. As equipment becomes operational, your focus will shift toward process development and optimization, with an emphasis on improving cleanliness, reducing cycle time, increasing process capability, and lowering manufacturing cost.
As these processes mature, you will help establish operating windows, control plans, standard work, training content, and sustained improvement plans. The role may also expand into membrane formation and thermal casting process development, including evaluation of how formulation and casting conditions influence membrane morphology, pore structure, physical properties, extractability, and final product performance.
You will work closely with experienced engineers and cross-functional partners while independently leading defined technical workstreams and solving problems that require sound engineering judgment, data analysis, and practical problem-solving.
What You’ll Do
- Plan and execute process-development experiments across membrane extraction and cleaning platforms and, as business needs evolve, membrane formation and casting processes.
- Improve product performance, throughput, process capability, cleanliness, and cost through structured experimentation and process optimization.
- Apply engineering fundamentals and statistical methods, including DOE, regression, SPC, capability analysis, and measurement-system studies, to identify critical process factors, establish operating windows, reduce variation, and improve process robustness.
- Connect extraction and membrane-formation process conditions to key product outputs, including residual organic cleanliness, pore structure, bubble point, permeability or flow, thickness, mechanical properties, and manufacturing consistency.
- Support the development and optimization of thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) membrane casting operations, including formulation, mixing and dissolution, extrusion or casting conditions, thermal history, quench conditions, line speed, downstream extraction, and drying.
- Use experimental data to understand relationships between process conditions, membrane morphology, physical properties, cleanliness, and product performance.
- Support equipment engineers during installation, commissioning, and startup of new extraction and separation equipment, including punch-list closure, utility and facility interface verification, I/O checkout, leak testing, safety-system verification, FAT/SAT readiness, and site acceptance activities.
- Execute defined portions of IQ/OQ/PQ or equivalent equipment and process qualification plans, collect objective evidence, document deviations, support corrective actions, and prepare technical reports for review.
- Investigate equipment and process problems using structured root-cause analysis and recommend improvements within established technical, quality, and safety procedures.
- Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, recipes, test protocols, control plans, PFMEAs/FMEAs, training materials, process-flow diagrams, data summaries, and change-control documentation.
- Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, NPI, EHS, Facilities, Automation, Maintenance and Reliability, Procurement, and equipment vendors to resolve startup, qualification, and manufacturing issues.
- Support the safe operation of chemical and high-pressure systems through pre-startup reviews, hazard-review actions, alarm and interlock verification, management of change, and disciplined adherence to procedures and PPE requirements.
- Train alongside operators and technicians and perform hands-on process activities to develop a detailed understanding of equipment operation, material handling, cleaning, sampling, and process failure modes.
- Support continuous improvement efforts as processes mature, including reductions in cycle time, downtime, variability, waste, and manufacturing cost.
What We Seek
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related technical discipline with at least 5 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with prior professional experience.
- Experience working across membrane extraction and cleaning platforms, including solvent extraction, separations and solvent-recovery operations, and other alternative-fluid or high-pressure process technologies.
- Working knowledge of chemical engineering principles, including mass transfer, phase behavior, fluid flow, heat transfer, separations, pressure systems, and process control.
- Hands-on experience working with laboratory, pilot, development, or production equipment.
- Experience supporting equipment commissioning, startup, validation, or qualification.
- Ability to read and work from P&IDs, equipment drawings, process-flow diagrams, operating manuals, and technical specifications.
- Ability to analyze experimental and manufacturing data using Excel and a statistical analysis package such as JMP, Minitab, Design-Expert, or equivalent.
- Familiarity with statistical engineering methods such as DOE, regression, SPC, capability analysis, and measurement-system studies.
- Strong written communication and documentation skills with the ability to translate experimental and startup observations into clear technical conclusions, recommendations, procedures, and action plans.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to investigate equipment and process issues using structured root-cause analysis.
- Comfort working hands-on in a manufacturing environment involving chemicals, pressurized systems, mechanical equipment, automation, and cross-functional teams.
- Ability to manage multiple defined assignments, make sound day-to-day technical decisions within established practices, and seek appropriate guidance when work exceeds defined technical or safety boundaries.
Preferred Experience
- Experience with polymer processing or membrane formation, particularly solution preparation, extrusion, film or web casting, thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), quenching, phase separation, or structure-property relationships in porous materials.
- Experience with extraction, cleaning, drying, solvent recovery, distillation, high-pressure fluids, membrane manufacturing, web/roll processing, or polymer manufacturing.
- Familiarity with FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ, PQ, commissioning protocols, and controlled manufacturing documentation.
- Experience with PFMEA/FMEA, management of change, control plans, process qualification, and safe startup of chemical or pressure equipment.
What Success Looks Like
- New extraction equipment achieves safe, documented operational readiness, with startup issues resolved through disciplined technical follow-up.
- Qualification activities are completed accurately and on schedule with traceable data, clearly documented deviations, and effective corrective actions.
- Process-development experiments generate actionable technical understanding and result in defined, repeatable operating windows.
- Appropriate process controls, SOPs, training, maintenance inputs, and reaction plans are established before routine production.
- Product cleanliness, membrane morphology, and critical physical and performance characteristics consistently meet requirements.
- Process variation, cycle time, downtime, waste, and manufacturing cost are progressively reduced through data-driven improvement.
- Strong working relationships are established across technical and manufacturing teams, with risks communicated early and commitments consistently followed through.
- Technical problems are solved practically and effectively without compromising established safety or quality systems.
Work Environment
This is a hands-on engineering role in a manufacturing and development environment. The engineer will be expected to work directly with equipment and processes and will receive appropriate training to perform relevant operator and technician activities necessary to understand, develop, troubleshoot, and safely support the process.
The role requires the ability to:
- Work in laboratory and manufacturing areas for extended periods.
- Stand, walk, reach, stoop, kneel, or crouch around production equipment as required.
- Lift and move up to 30 pounds, subject to site requirements and reasonable accommodations.
- Work around chemicals, pressurized systems, moving mechanical equipment, electrical systems, and moderate-to-high noise levels.
- Wear required PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, safety footwear, hearing protection, and other task-specific protective equipment.
- Work temporary non-standard hours during critical startup, commissioning, or qualification activities.
- Travel periodically for vendor testing, training, process transfer, or technical support.
What We Offer
At Entegris, we invest in our employees and provide opportunities to grow, develop, and build meaningful careers. Our total rewards package goes beyond base compensation and includes benefits designed to support your health, financial well-being, and future.
- Base Salary: $100,000-$125,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and other job-related factors.
- Annual Bonus: Eligible for a 10% annual performance-based bonus.
- 401(k): Competitive retirement plan with an employer match and no vesting period.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Paid vacation, PTO, and 11 paid holidays.
- Education assistance to support continued learning and professional development.
- Eligibility to participate in the employee stock purchase plan.
- A values-driven culture built around People, Accountability, Creativity, and Excellence (PACE).
Additional Information
- Entegris does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you need Entegris immigration sponsorship, such as H-1B, TN, or STEM OPT, now or in the future.
- At Entegris, we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and applicants. Our policy is to recruit, hire, train, and reward employees for their individual abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or military status.
