Process Lead Engineer

Principal Process Engineer CT19 is working with an emerging cleantech organisation focused on advancing sustainable solutions for complex materials. With applications across multiple industrial sectors, the business is developing scalable technologies designed to reduce waste and support circularity. The company is entering a critical growth phase, moving from pilot operations toward full-scale deployment, with strong backing from leading investors in the climate and deep-tech space. This is a senior engineering leadership role at the heart of a pilot-scale programme, responsible for driving the scale-up of a novel chemical process from development unit through to full pilot plant and beyond. You will lead the engineering function, overseeing plant build, commissioning and optimisation, while shaping the broader scale-up strategy in collaboration with senior leadership. This role combines deep technical expertise with programme and team leadership, requiring someone who is equally comfortable on the plant floor, in design reviews, and contributing to strategic decision-making. Principal Process Engineer responsibilities Lead the build, commissioning and development of pilot plant assets, owning delivery end-to-end Define engineering workstreams, milestones and delivery plans for the scale-up programme Align engineering activities with broader technology and commercial strategy Communicate technical progress, risks and decisions to senior stakeholders Own the transition from lab-scale understanding to pilot-scale implementation Ensure scale-up decisions are data-driven, robust and future-proofed for full-scale deployment Drive continuous improvement in process performance, reliability and efficiency Process Design & Engineering Authority Own and review process engineering documentation (PFDs, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, equipment specifications) Process Safety & Compliance Lead and chair HAZOP studies and risk assessments Own process safety documentation and ensure regulatory compliance Embed a strong safety-first engineering culture across the team Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary engineering team Principal Process Engineer requirements Significant experience in process engineering within industrial environments (e.g. chemicals, materials, pharma) Proven track record of leading scale-up, plant build or commissioning programmes Strong experience in process design and engineering documentation Demonstrated leadership of HAZOP and process safety activities Experience working across different stages of scale (lab to pilot to production) People leadership experience, with the ability to develop and lead engineering teams Experience commissioning new plant from design through to operation Familiarity with construction and design safety regulations (e.g. Lead the engineering scale-up of a novel cleantech process at a critical stage Opportunity to build and shape the engineering function from the ground up Competitive salary and strong benefits package 37 days holiday (including bank holidays) ~ Flexible working options available ~