Senior Process Development Chemist

The Senior Process Development Chemist owns the development and characterization of Voyager's chemical processes at laboratory scale by building fundamental process understanding. This includes investigation of reaction kinetics and thermodynamics, crystallization behavior, impurity rejection, and operating windows. The resulting data package forms the core starting point that engineering relies on to move each process safely and efficiently from bench to plant. This is not a role where you optimize conditions in isolation and hand off a number, but rather one where you design experiments that anticipate how a process will behave at scale and work iteratively alongside the chemical engineers who translate that data into production equipment. With facilities for oxidizers, energetic materials, and energetic precursors planned across Colorado and Louisiana in the coming years, this is also an opportunity to shape how process development is done from the ground up. As the first dedicated hire in this function, you could grow into building and leading a team as operations expand, though a strong individual contributor will find deep and meaningful work here from day one.

The position reports to the Chief Engineer and is part of the Chemicals and Explosives Team. This fully onsite role is based in Penrose, CO with a shift to Pueblo, CO expected within the next year. The two sites are about 40 miles apart and within the same Colorado Springs/Pueblo commuting area.

In this role, the essential functions are:

• Designing and executing bench-scale experiments (~100g-10kg) to characterize reaction kinetics/thermodynamics, crystallization behavior (nucleation, growth, seeding, thermal and supersaturation profiles), impurity rejection, and pH/buffer control
• Applying Design of Experiments (DoE) to define process operating windows, critical process parameters, and critical quality attributes
• Characterizing reaction and thermal hazards (heat of reaction, onset temperature, gas evolution, thermal stability) to support safe scale-up
• Ensuring experimental designs and results are scale-relevant, accounting for how mixing, heat transfer, and mass transfer change with vessel size
• Producing documented data packages that transfer process understanding and defined parameters to the engineering team
• Collaborating iteratively with chemical engineering - designing targeted experiments to close data gaps surfaced during process design and scale-up
• Contributing to safe laboratory operations, including reagent/solvent selection, chemical inventory maintenance, and waste handling and minimization

Basic Qualifications:

• M.S. in chemistry (physical, inorganic, organic, organometallic, analytical), chemical engineering, or related physical science
• 5+ years of experience in process development, process chemistry, or process scale-up
• Demonstrated proficiency designing and executing DoE to define operating windows and characterize factor interactions
• Hands-on experience developing crystallization and purification/separation processes while applying fundamental principles of particle engineering
• Hands-on experience assessing reaction and thermal hazards (e.g. calorimetry, thermal stability measurement, gas analysis)
• Track record of transferring a process from lab to pilot or production, including authoring the supporting reports and data packages
• Ability to communicate technical results in writing and presentation to both chemistry and engineering audiences

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with safely synthesizing, handling, and evaluating oxidizers and energetic materials
• Experience with process analytical technology (PAT) tools such as particle analyzers (e.g. FBRM), electrochemical analyzers (e.g. pH, ORP), and spectroscopic analyzers (e.g. FTIR, NIR, Raman), as well as offline analytical techniques such as chromatography (e.g. IC, GC)

Travel, Physical, and/or Government Mandated Requirements:

• Travel up to 15%, including the possibility of overnights particularly to Minden, Louisiana area
• Ability to work with and around hazardous chemicals, including oxidizers and energetic materials, using appropriate PPE
• Ability to stand and work at a lab bench or fume hood for extended periods
• Ability to lift, move or carry items or equipment up to 50 pounds
• Exposure to heat, cold, and unconditioned manufacturing spaces
• Eligible to obtain and maintain State and Federal explosives licenses, including
  • Be 21 years of age or older
  • Pass pre-employment drug test and health screening
  • Pass State and Federal background checks

The good-faith base salary range for this role is $105,000-$165,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus. This range may be adjusted in the future. The position may be eligible for a lump-sum bonus upon hire.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.

• Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more! No long-term contracts and FREE on-demand workout videos before you enroll
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long-term financial security
• Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well-being
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
• The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment

Colorado pay range

$105,000-$165,000 USD