Senior Process Engineer

Lydium is a growing Canadian consulting engineering firm that specializes in helping startup companies in the green economy and critical materials spaces. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality engineering solutions and strategic advice while maintaining a supportive, flexible work environment that values work-life balance. Our firm is composed of a small team of professionals who are enthusiastic about improving society by helping our clients advance their breakthrough process technologies. Our clients across Canada and the U.S. value our technical expertise, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. We provide exceptional value through long-term relationships, supporting clients through all phases of their journey to success. Lydium currently has two offices: Vancouver, British Columbia and Newmarket, Ontario.

About the role: We are seeking an experienced process engineer to support chemical process technology development across the full project lifecycle. This client-facing role focuses on process design, flowsheet development, engineering document creation, and cost estimation for novel chemical processes, while also drawing on hands-on pilot plant and commissioning experience to deliver practical, buildable designs for startup clients. You may also lead techno-economic analysis (TEA) activities for our earlier-stage clients, including process design, process modelling, financial modelling, and technology/commercial landscape reviews, and provide commissioning advisory for first-of-a-kind pilot and demonstration plants.

To succeed in this role, you must bring strong process design fundamentals, experience translating laboratory results into scalable designs, and the ability to manage multiple client projects simultaneously in a fast-paced consulting environment.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supervise and execute “full stack” process engineering deliverables for novel chemical processes at bench, pilot, and demonstration scale, including flowsheet development, mass/energy balances, equipment specification, P&IDs, control philosophies, and hazard assessments.
• Supervise and support non-process functions such as instrument selection, mechanical equipment selection, electrical integration, procurement, and vendor engagement.
• Lead and execute CapEx and OpEx estimates in compliance with AACE standards.
• Advise clients on translating laboratory and bench-scale results into scalable process designs.
• Support techno-economic analysis (TEA) with process design inputs and equipment sizing.
• Plan and oversee commissioning and startup phases of pilot plant programs.
• Develop SOPs, commissioning plans, and operational procedures.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and client deliverables across multiple concurrent projects.
• Support business development through proposals and technical presentations.
• Supervise, train, and mentor junior engineers and interns.
• Travel as needed to support project work and business development.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Process, or Metallurgical Engineering.
• 8+ years of experience in chemical process technology development, consulting, or industrial R&D.
• P.Eng. license in BC (or eligible for transfer).
• Strong process design skills: flowsheet development, P&IDs, equipment sizing, and process simulation.
• Experience with CapEx estimation according to AACE methodology.
• 3+ years of direct experience building, commissioning, and operating pilot or demonstration plants.
• Experience translating lab/bench results into pilot-scale process designs.
• Strong project management and client communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; ability to learn new software platforms.
• Expert verbal and written English proficiency.
• Aptitude for client engagement and relationship management.
• Demonstrated interest in supporting the growth of junior professionals.
• Eligible to work without restriction in Canada.
• Eligible to travel without restriction within Canada and the USA.

Preferred qualifications:

• 12+ years of direct experience in chemical process technology development, consulting, or industrial R&D; particularly in the following areas: Chemical synthesis and separation, particularly inorganics; Industrial electrochemistry; Extractive metallurgy, in particular: uranium refining and conversion, critical metals; Industrial chemistry startups; Advanced water treatment and brine valorization.
• Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering or science discipline.
• Experience with process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS, SysCAD, or equivalent).
• Experience maintaining or developing Professional Practice Management Plans (PPMP) is an asset.
• Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent).
• Mechanical troubleshooting experience.
• Driver’s license.
• Familiarity with SharePoint or workflow automation tools.

At Lydium, we are building products for a diverse world, and we need a diverse team to do that successfully. We strongly encourage applications from everyone regardless of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.

Lydium provides an accessible candidate experience. If you need any accommodations or adjustments throughout the interview process and beyond, please let us know, and we will work with you to provide the necessary support and make reasonable accommodations to facilitate your participation.