Textile waste is a growing global challenge. Syre’s mission is to decarbonize and dewaste textiles, starting with the world's biggest fiber, polyester. By implementing true textile-to-textile recycling at hyperscale, we want to drive the transition from a linear to a circular value chain by putting textile waste to use, over and over again.

We're seeking a Director of Process Engineering to join our team and lead the development of our innovative chemical process technology. This is a hands-on role for a problem-solver with a demonstrated history of innovation and the ability to navigate complex technical challenges. You will be instrumental in developing and refining our core technology from the lab through the pilot scale, setting the stage for commercialization.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Technology Development: Lead key projects in the design and execution of chemical recycling and purification experiments at the lab and pilot plant scales to understand reaction kinetics, mass/heat transfer, and other fundamental process variables. You'll be responsible for optimizing initial process parameters and ensuring data integrity, troubleshooting technical challenges, and collecting critical data to inform the final commercial design.
• Process Optimization: Continuously improve existing processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality by optimizing process parameters such as temperature, pressure, flow rates, and residence time.
• Polymer & Material Science Expertise: Apply your deep knowledge of polymer chemistry and material science to drive understanding of feedstock parameters in chemical recycling of textiles, and the subsequent repolymerization to meet business and customer requirements.
• Crystallization & Separation: Utilize your extensive expertise in crystallization and other solid-liquid separation technologies to refine and purify our products.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with our R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to ensure seamless technology transfer and successful product launches.
• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior engineers and technicians, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.

We would prefer if you have

• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of experience in chemical engineering, with a strong focus on developing and scaling up chemical processes in a lab and pilot plant setting within the polymers, coatings, or textiles industries.
• Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Technical Skills:
• Extensive knowledge of polymer chemistry, including polymerization techniques, structure-property relationships, and applications in textiles.
• Demonstrated experience in chemical process development, manufacturing, or process engineering—preferably with significant experience in scale-up and commercialization
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and translate technical solutions into business outcomes
• Hands-on experience with unit operations related to crystallization, filtration, drying, and other solid-liquid separation techniques.
• Proven ability to develop and contribute to intellectual property, including patent applications and trade secrets.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate and solve complex technical challenges in a hands-on, problem-solving capacity
  
• Soft Skills: 
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional team.
  • A proactive, results-oriented mindset with a genuine passion for innovation and a desire to make a significant impact in a growing company.

You will be reporting to the Senior Tech Fellow and should be located nearby Mebane, NC (or willing to relocate).

Syre is an international company with a Swedish soul. We are a growing team of scalemakers – dedicated optimists and pioneers, together on a quest to drive the great textile shift. At Syre, we always appreciate it if you would be described as purpose-driven, action-oriented, innovative, change navigator and team player. Our team members are offered an international environment of innovation and speed, and we embrace diversity in all forms. Together we are here to build an impact company with green transition at its core – for our customers, partners, investors, and most of all, for our planet.

Are you the one we’re looking for? Apply with confidence - we look forward to hearing from you (in English)!