Engineering

Ascend Elements (AE) is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. The results are lower cost, better performance batteries with fewer discarded in landfill, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements (AE) is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

We’re hiring a Process Engineer (Wastewater Systems) to join our team in Hopkinsville, KY! In this role you will provide technical expertise and day-to-day engineering support to the wastewater systems supporting the manufacturing facility. This will include interaction with the operations, warehouse, and maintenance employees, design, and modification of existing and new facilities, gathering and analyzing data, troubleshoot problems, identify root cause(s), present conceptual solutions, detailed engineering, equipment sizing, feasibility studies, recommend and implement process improvements. This individual will be part of the commissioning of new equipment and managing production trials. They will be focused on benchmarking and improving performance against plant metrics and implementing robust systems to sustain improvements. They must lead the effort to achieve superior Health, Safety and Environmental performance, especially in the areas of process safety (PSM, RMP, PHMP etc), procedure writing and training of plant employees.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provides technical and leadership for the Wastewater Treatment system. Includes assessment of current Equipment capabilities, HSE issues, and capital requirements.


• Analyzes performance statistical control charts. Works toward establishing in-control processes. Identifies areas of variation (raw materials, process, or quality analysis), implements measures to reduce variation, and tracks effectiveness of reduction measures.


• Use heat and material balances, fluid flow/hydraulic principles to troubleshoot process problems and design new equipment.


• Analyzes batch cycle times. Identifies and implements process optimization improvements to establish consistent cycle times and reduce overall cycle times.


• Reports cycle time, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and other key metrics for key equipment and key product lines.


• Investigates off-grade or abnormal batches. Identifies root cause, reports findings, and implements corrective actions.


• Manages small capital projects associated with unit. Responsible for determining justification, scope definition, safety reviews, ‘ punch-list ‘ items, coordination of implementation with production schedule, startup, chemical commissioning, and performance report on agreed deliverables.


• Prepares flow diagrams, P&ID’ s, and equipment and control specifications.


• Utilize management of change for applicable situations.


• Trains production operators and laboratory technicians on unit operations, chemistries, and batch recipe or DCS changes/enhancements in regard to each product line.


• Responsible for day-to-day troubleshooting associated with the wastewater system.


• Utilizes and works within the ISO 9001 standard framework/system.


• Influence people’s opinions, attitudes, and judgments and demonstrate the ability to compromise opinion to develop the best solution for the issue.


• Up to 10% travel on average, as high as 50% during plant commissioning phases.

Education and Other Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering preferred, others considered.


• 7-10 years of process engineering experience with focus on wastewater, pretreatment, metals extraction, pH adjustments, and scrubbers.


• Knowledge of and hands on experience using APQP tools including FMEA, SPC, and design and process validation as well as Lean and 6 Sigma tools.


• Experienced in liquid/solid separations such as precipitation, filtering, drying. Supplier identification and assessment, equipment build tracking, factory and site acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, and ramping to metrics.


• Experience in running wastewater systems.


• Experience, judgement, and technical knowledge to drive data-based decisions.


• Knowledge and experience in continuous liquid process and batch reactions in a series of reaction vessels.


• Skilled user of MS office tools including Word, EXCEL, Outlook, Project.


• Written and verbal fluency in English.


• Capable of wearing task specific personal protective equipment which may include dust mask, air purifying respirator (i.e., half and/or full faced), safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection.


• Capable of meeting OSHA standards for manual lifting guidelines: < 50lbs


• While performing the duties of this job it is required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch when necessary for job activity.


• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods.


• Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.


• Be committed to and must support the EHS management process to obtain the ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification as well as participate in system standards and practices in its compliance and commitment to policies, objectives, operational controls, documentation, system guidelines, and others that the organization subscribes to as mandatory.


• Will participate in all EHS aspects, including reporting hazards, incidents, and injury/illness without fear of reprisal.


• Attend an Environment, Health, and Safety Orientation program appropriate to their work environment.


• Follow 6S step-by-step methodology to maintain orderly workspaces and resources thereby enhancing productivity and safety.

This position is located in Hopkinsville KY!

APPLY TODAY!

Ascend Elements is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ascend Elements (AE) is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. The results are lower cost, better performance batteries with fewer discarded in landfill, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements (AE) is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

We’re hiring a Mechanical Integrity Engineer to join our team in Hopkinsville, KY! In this role you will be responsible for providing repair, preventive, improvement, and emergency maintenance services to fixed equipment. This scope includes structural assets as well as pressure vessels, piping, boilers, heat exchangers, relief valves, etc. This position is responsible for the ongoing stewardship of the Ascend Elements® Mechanical Integrity program and welding Quality Control/Quality Assurance program.

Responsibilities included but not limited to:

• Incorporate safe behavior into all activities and consistently comply with all established safety and health policies and procedures.


• Perform engineering activities such as writing welding repair plans, assisting/reviewing welding Quality Assurance Inspection Test Procedures, designing/coordinating small improvement design projects, investigating reliability incidents, establishing appropriate Bill-of-Materials and stores order quantities, updating/reviewing equipment and process drawings, establishing/monitoring the pipe/vessel thickness inspection program, designing engineered temporary leak repair, performing Damage Mechanism Analysis for projects, and sustaining pressure vessel equipment records within SAP-PM.


• Provide mechanical maintenance technician support for troubleshooting.


• Review and approve design packages from external engineering firms and contractors.


• Provide site maintenance support, as needed, and per an emergency duty roster.


• Provide support for capital projects, Process Hazards Analysis, and long-term preventative/predictive maintenance for mechanical equipment.


• Network with other Ascend Elements® sites to ensure alignment in design solutions, emerging best practices, and standardization of design.


• Use Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) effectively to document and accomplish required maintenance in an efficient and organized manner.


• Optimize plant preventive/predictive maintenance program to meet OEM recommendations, regulatory requirements, RAGAGEP, and corporate maintenance philosophy.


• Provide maintenance procedure and training development assistance for new equipment.


• Provide start-up support to production operations.


• Perform On-the-Job Training with new members of the team.


• Cooperate with groups and individuals within the Engineering & Maintenance department, Operations, contractors, and other service units.


• Act as liaison between suppliers/manufacturers and manufacturing partners for problems with mechanical equipment.


• Perform all tasks and assignments in accordance with company policies and procedures.


• Other tasks and duties as assigned.

Education and Other Requirements:

• BS of Mechanical Engineering or similar field of study.


• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a chemical plant, refinery, or large process plant (7 years preferred).


• Applied knowledge of fixed equipment industrial standards such as API 510/570/579, B31.3/B31.1, B16.5, ASME PCC-2.


• Knowledge of Reliability Principles such as Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, Mean Time Between Failure Analysis, and Uptime Management.


• Thorough understanding of mechanical theory, troubleshooting techniques, and safe work practices.


• Able to read and comprehend equipment blueprint files, ISO Metric drawings, and process schematics.


• Willing to Flow-to-work and learn and improve upon base skillsets.


• Strong verbal and written communication skills.


• Strong multi-tasking competency.


• Team player attitude.


• Capable of wearing task specific personal protective equipment which may include dust mask, air purifying respirator (i.e., half and/or full faced), safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection.


• Capable of meeting OSHA standards for manual lifting guidelines: < 50lbs


• While performing the duties of this job it is required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch when necessary for job activity.


• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods.


• Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.

This position is located in Hopkinsville KY!

APPLY TODAY!

Ascend Elements is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ascend Elements (AE) is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. The results are lower cost, better performance batteries with fewer discarded in landfill, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements (AE) is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

We’re hiring Chemical Process Engineers to join our team in Hopkinsville, KY! In this role you will provide technical expertise and day-to-day engineering support to the manufacturing facility. This will include interaction with the operations, warehouse, and maintenance employees, design, and modification of existing and new facilities, gathering and analyzing data, troubleshoot problems, identify root cause(s), present conceptual solutions, detailed engineering, equipment sizing, feasibility studies, recommend and implement process improvements. This individual will be part of the commissioning of new equipment and managing production trials. They will be focused on benchmarking and improving performance against plant metrics and implementing robust systems to sustain improvements. They must lead the effort to achieve superior Health, Safety and Environmental performance, especially in the areas of process safety (PSM, RMP, PHMP etc), procedure writing and training of plant employees.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Performs feasibility studies for technology transfers and new product introduction. Includes assessment of current Equipment capabilities, HSE issues, and capital requirements.


• Analyzes quality for multiple product lines utilizing statistical control charts. Works toward establishing in-control processes. Identifies areas of variation (raw materials, process, or quality analysis), implements measures to reduce variation, and tracks effectiveness of reduction measures.


• Analyzes process data and quality critical parameters for control of manufacturing processes. Troubleshoots problem areas and identifies measures for improvement.


• Use heat and material balances, fluid flow/hydraulic principles to troubleshoot process problems and design new equipment.


• Analyzes batch cycle times. Identifies and implements process optimization improvements to establish consistent cycle times and reduce overall cycle times.


• Reports cycle time, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and other key metrics for key equipment and key product lines.


• Investigates off-grade or abnormal batches. Identifies root cause, reports findings, and implements corrective actions.


• Manages small capital projects associated with unit. Responsible for determining justification, scope definition, safety reviews, ‘ punch-list ‘ items, coordination of implementation with production schedule, startup, chemical commissioning and performance report on agreed deliverables.


• Prepares flow diagrams, P&ID’ s, and equipment and control specifications.


• Utilize management of change for applicable situations.


• Trains production operators, warehouse staff, and laboratory technicians on unit operations, chemistries, and batch recipe or DCS changes/enhancements in regard to product line.


• Responsible for day-to-day troubleshooting associated with product line.


• Utilizes and works within the ISO 9001 standard framework/system.


• Influence people’s opinions, attitudes, and judgments and demonstrate the ability to compromise opinion to develop the best solution for the issue.


• Up to 10% travel on average, as high as 50% during plant commissioning phases.

Education and Other Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering preferred, others considered.


• 3-5 years of process engineering experience with experience in process engineering at the plant level. Experience in CAPEX projects, plant design, build out, and optimization of chemical or advanced materials technologies desired.


• Knowledge of and hands on experience using APQP tools including FMEA, SPC, and design and process validation as well as Lean and 6 Sigma tools.


• Experienced in liquid/solid separations such as precipitation, filtering, drying. Supplier identification and assessment, equipment build tracking, factory and site acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, and ramping to metrics.


• Experience, judgement, and technical knowledge to drive data-based decisions.


• Knowledge and experience in continuous liquid process and batch reactions in a series of reaction vessels.


• Skilled user of MS office tools including Word, EXCEL, Outlook, Project


• Written and verbal fluency in English


• Capable of wearing task specific personal protective equipment which may include dust mask, air purifying respirator (i.e., half and/or full faced), safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection.


• Capable of meeting OSHA standards for manual lifting guidelines: < 50lbs


• While performing the duties of this job it is required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch when necessary for job activity.


• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods.


• Must be able to work in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.

This position is located in Hopkinsville KY!

APPLY TODAY!

Ascend Elements is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.