ETCH is a startup commercializing a radically new and efficient decarbonization technology for the simultaneous greenhouse gas-free production of hydrogen and solid carbon from natural gas.  

The (Senior) Industrial Field Technician position at ETCH, INC will support day-to-day operations, maintenance, and continuous improvement of ETCH’s pilot reactor system. This role requires deep industrial experience and will take ownership of complex fabrication, mechanical systems, safety compliance, and procurement activities. In addition to hands-on technical work, this position mentors junior technicians and collaborates closely with engineering staff to advance reactor performance and reliability.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Operations and System Monitoring
  • Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot the pilot reactor system and associated equipment, including the computer-based control system used to manage reactor operations.
  • Read and interpret P&IDs, equipment manuals, process flow diagrams, and safety procedures.
  • Identify and communicate process inefficiencies, equipment bottlenecks, and deviations affecting system performance or reliability, and drive continuous improvement efforts.
  • Collaborate with engineering staff to design, test, and implement control schemes for reactor operations and auxiliary systems.
• Fabrication and Rigging
  • Lead fabrication activities including structural and pipe welding
  • Perform metal fabrication tasks including cutting, grinding, fitting, and assembly of custom components to support reactor build-out and modifications.
  • Operate machine shop equipment including mills, lathes, drill presses, and angle grinders to fabricate or repair parts as needed.
  • Plan and execute rigging operations for moving and positioning heavy equipment, pressure vessels, and reactor components.
  • Select appropriate rigging hardware (slings, shackles, hoists, forklifts, cranes) and verify load ratings prior to lifts.
  • Ensure rigging activities comply with OSHA and site-specific safety requirements.
• Maintenance and Troubleshooting
  • Safely troubleshoot, maintain, and repair mechanical and electrical systems including valves, piping, pumps, motors, heat exchangers, and instrumentation.
  • Lead assembly and disassembly of reactor components; perform site upkeep and ensure the facility is maintained to industrial standards.
  • Execute Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and supervise contractor work to ensure compliance with safety protocols and applicable regulations.
  • Apply structured troubleshooting methodologies to diagnose and resolve equipment issues.
• Procurement and Parts Sourcing
  • Identify, evaluate, and establish relationships with local and regional suppliers for mechanical parts, raw materials, fabrication supplies, and consumables.
  • Source replacement parts and components for reactor systems, exercising sound engineering judgment on fit, form, and function for direct substitutions.
  • Manage inventory of spare parts, tools, and consumables; develop and maintain a stocking strategy aligned with equipment criticality.
• Safety and Documentation
  • Ensure safe handling and operation around hazardous materials including natural gas, hydrogen, hydrogen chloride, carbon powders, and metal salts.
  • Apply working knowledge of relevant industrial standards and regulations (OSHA, ASME, NFPA, EPA, DOT) to equipment operation, maintenance, and site activities.
  • Support safety and environmental compliance efforts by inspecting equipment and processes for adherence to applicable regulations.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with industrial chemical plants
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on industrial technician experience; 10+ years preferred
• Demonstrated welding proficiency (MIG, TIG, and/or stick); AWS certification or equivalent a strong plus.
• Experience with machining operations (lathe, mill, drill press) and general metal fabrication.
• Working knowledge of industrial rigging practices and safe lift planning.
• Experience with procurement activities: sourcing parts, working with suppliers, and managing spare parts inventory.
• Solid understanding of mechanical and electrical systems including valves, pumps, motors, instrumentation, and piping.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, fabrication drawings, and equipment manuals.
• Familiarity with industrial safety standards and regulations (OSHA, ASME, NFPA, LOTO, confined space, etc.).
• Strong communication skills and proficiency with computer programs (Microsoft Office Suite).
• Must be able to work safely in industrial environments (temperature, humidity, noise, confined spaces, outdoor conditions).

The (Senior) Industrial Field Technician receives direction from Technical Operations Lead to guide daily duties. An ability to work independently as well as in a team environment toward timely execution of goals is required. This position will also require a flexible work schedule including the occasional third shift.

ETCH is committed to equal opportunity for its employees. To that end, ETCH does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic. ETCH is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Compensation commensurate with relevant experience.

ETCH is a startup commercializing a radically new and efficient decarbonization technology for the simultaneous greenhouse gas-free production of hydrogen and solid carbon from natural gas.  

The Process Engineer position at ETCH, INC will be focused on development and optimization of our current processes, as well as supporting our scale-up efforts. 

Primary duties include: the optimal design, performance, efficiency, and safety of the processes, while driving continuous improvements and innovations.

Other duties include:

• Develop and implement equipment and strategies for handling both gaseous and solid materials
• Monitor and analyze operational data, identifying opportunities for process optimization to maximize efficiency
• Create process flow diagrams and conduct modeling/simulation of chemical systems
• Test and refine process flow logistics to enhance operational efficiency
• Collaborate with the technical and research teams to design and validate reactor modifications
• Oversee design and development for future and larger-scale systems
• Establish and track performance benchmarks and key performance indicators
• Prevent workplace safety hazards by system recommendations, implementation, and routine inspections

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Engineering or related field

• 10+ years of experience in process engineering,

• Experience in gas processing or solids handling industries, preferably with a focus on thermal carbon black, graphitic carbon, or similar carbon materials production
• Background in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
• Must be able to work safely and follow safety precautions in industrial environments (temperature, humidity, noise, confined spaces, etc.).

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and provide strategic direction
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach
• Experience with process simulation software and statistical analysis tools preferred
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and environmental regulations

The ability to work independently as well as in a team environment toward timely execution of goals is required.

ETCH is committed to equal opportunity for its employees. To that end, ETCH does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic. ETCH is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Compensation commensurate with relevant experience.

ETCH is a startup commercializing a radically new and efficient decarbonization technology for the simultaneous greenhouse gas-free production of hydrogen and solid carbon from natural gas.  

The Process Engineer position at ETCH, INC will be focused on development and optimization of our current processes, as well as supporting our scale-up efforts. 

Primary duties include: the optimal design, performance, efficiency, and safety of the processes, while driving continuous improvements and innovations.

Other duties include:

• Design thermal processes: Develop and design furnaces and furnace improvements for specific materials or processes. Design and integrate heating systems, including electric elements tailored to process requirements.
• Thermal modeling: Use simulation software (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL, or CFD tools) to model heat transfer, combustion, fluid flow, and temperature distribution inside the furnace.
• Material selection: Specify appropriate refractory materials, insulation, and structural components for furnace linings and housings.
• Efficiency improvements: Identify ways to reduce energy consumption, increase thermal efficiency, and minimize heat losses.
• Process control: Define instrumentation and control strategies (temperature sensors, feedback loops, PID tuning) to ensure stable operation.
• Prototype testing: Participate in commissioning and testing of furnace systems; validate thermal performance against design specs.
• Data analysis: Monitor and interpret thermal profiles, gas flows, emissions, and process parameters for continuous improvement.
• Prepare documentation: Create P&IDs, process flow diagrams, technical specifications, and operation manuals.
• Regulatory compliance: Ensure designs comply with safety standards, environmental regulations (e.g., emissions control), and industry codes (e.g., ASME, API, NFPA).
• Work with engineering team: Collaborate on integration with mechanical systems and solids handling.
• Liaise with vendors: Evaluate and manage suppliers of furnace components and subsystems.
• Failure analysis: Investigate and resolve furnace failures, overheating, or uneven heating issues and recommend and implement system upgrades.
• Prevent workplace safety hazards by system recommendations, implementation, and routine inspections

Tools/Software Experience

• Simulation: ANSYS, COMSOL, Fluent, SolidWorks Flow Simulation
• CAD/Design: SolidWorks, PTC Creo, Catia
• Control systems: PLC programming tools (Siemens, Allen-Bradley), SCADA
• Data analysis: Excel, MATLAB, Python (for thermal data)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Engineering or related field

• 10+ years of experience in process engineering,
• Experience with furnace operation, design, and optimization in industries such as metallurgy, glass manufacturing, ceramics, or petrochemicals.

• Background in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
• Must be able to work safely and follow safety precautions in industrial environments (temperature, humidity, noise, confined spaces, etc.).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach
• Experience with process simulation software and statistical analysis tools preferred
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and environmental regulations

The ability to work independently as well as in a team environment toward timely execution of goals is required.

ETCH is committed to equal opportunity for its employees. To that end, ETCH does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic. ETCH is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Compensation commensurate with relevant experience.