AT Process Technologies (ATP) is a pioneering manufacturing company focused on the development and deployment of modular energetics production plants. Using breakthrough chemistry and automation that operates continuously and generates little to no waste, ATP is expanding energetics production to meet the munitions demands of the US and Allies safely, rapidly, and cost effectively.
Summary
We are seeking a process development chemist to own and execute the research, development, optimization, and piloting of our energetic materials synthesis. This position will play a foundational role in defining ATP’s production strategy and requires a background in reaction development and process chemistry. Technical items including continuous-flow synthesis, nitration and other strongly exothermic reaction chemistry, separations, crystallization/recrystallization, and solvent recovery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify, design, and execute critical lab experiments with high rigor and precision, generating reliable, actionable data for reaction and unit-operation design and scale-up.
- Develop and optimize core synthesis and downstream processing, evaluating competing technical pathways and justifying key decisions using experimental results, process modeling, cost, and scale-up constraints.
- Become the team’s subject-matter expert on selected reaction steps and unit operations, leveraging available research, vendor insight, and your own experiments.
- Develop a deep understanding of our manufacturing process and aid in the design and optimization of our first-of-a-kind pilot and demonstration plants.
- Operate with a rigorous process-safety mindset, integrating hazard analysis and thermal/stability considerations into every stage of development.
- Simplify complex things
Required Qualifications
B.S., M.S., or PhD Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline
5+ years of professional experience in chemical process development
High proficiency with bench-top synthesis methods, laboratory practices
Basic analytical chemistry experience (NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, FTIR)
Ability to work hands on in laboratory, fabrication, and plant environments
Strong problem-solving and debugging skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with continuous-flow / microreactor chemistry and reaction scale-up.
- Background in analytical chemistry for quality control: familiarity with method development on HPLC, IC, NMR, ICP-OES/MS, DSC/TGA, etc.
- Hardware intuition: you’re comfortable assembling, modifying, and troubleshooting lab- and pilot-scale systems.
- Prior experience developing energetic materials, propellants, or other regulated/high-hazard chemistries — or transferable process-chemistry experience from pharma, fine/specialty chemicals, or CDMO process development.
- Practical mechanical and industrial-site experience with pilot-scale and larger process equipment and plant troubleshooting.
Additional Requirements
ITAR Requirements
This position requires access to information and technology protected under U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To conform to these regulations, applicants must be a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 CFR § 120.62, which includes (i) U.S. citizens or nationals, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders), (iii) refugees under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylees under 8 U.S.C. § 1158.
Compensation Range: $130K - $200K
