Project Manager - Scale UP commercialization (Speciality Chemicals)

Role Summary<\/span><\/b> <\/span>
<\/p>

The Project Manager for Scale -Up Operations plays a critical role in transforming NoPo’s lab -scale innovations into world -class, commercial -scale processes for HiPCO® SWCNTs and their applications. Operating at the strategic intersection of R&D (TRL 4–7), Scale -Up (TRL 6–9), and Manufacturing, this role requires translating scientific breakthroughs into scalable, safe, cost -effective, and repeatable industrial processes. <\/span>
<\/p>

This role is about building systems, leading people<\/b>, and ensuring technology readiness for the world<\/b>. The ideal leader will apply strong chemical engineering fundamentals to optimize scale -up, develop SOPs, guide pilots, and lead tech transfer into operations—all while building and mentoring a high -performance team that can drive NoPo’s mission forward. <\/span>
<\/p>

 <\/span>Role : <\/span><\/b>
<\/p>

·     <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Bridge the Chasm<\/span><\/b>: Own the transition from lab validation (TRL 4–6) to commercial production (TRL 9), enabling technology maturity and readiness. <\/span>
<\/p>

·     <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Lead by Process & Purpose<\/span><\/b>: Apply rigorous engineering, safety, and economic evaluation to all scale -up decisions. <\/span>
<\/p>

·     <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Build Capability<\/span><\/b>: Lead a core team of scale -up engineers, process scientists, and pilot plant staff; set culture, pace, and expectations. <\/span>
<\/p>

·     <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Deliver to Operations<\/span><\/b>: Own the end -to -end scale -up pipeline, culminating in complete documentation and hand off to manufacturing. <\/span>
<\/p>

  <\/span>Key Responsibilities<\/span><\/b>:<\/span>
<\/p>

1. Strategic Technology Leadership<\/b><\/span> <\/span>
<\/p>

·       <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Develop and maintain a multi -year scale -up roadmap<\/b> that aligns with R&D progress, market timelines, and cost targets. <\/span>
<\/p>

·       <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Work closely with the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) to de -risk early -stage technologies<\/b>, identify scale -up feasibility, and define transition criteria from TRL 4 to TRL 6+. <\/span>
<\/p>

·       <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Set performance, safety, cost, and yield goals for each scale -up phase, ensuring commercial -grade readiness<\/b>. <\/span>
<\/p>

2. Process Development and Optimization<\/b><\/span> <\/span>
<\/p>

• Lead the design, engineering, and optimization of pilot -scale and pre -commercial processes<\/b> for: <\/span>
  <\/li><\/ul>
  • HiPCO® reactors , SWCNT purification, Membrane modules, Chirality -based sorting systems <\/span>
    <\/li><\/ul>
    • CNT fibers and beyond <\/span>
      <\/li><\/ul>
      • Use chemical engineering principles<\/b> (mass/heat transfer, fluid mechanics, reaction kinetics, etc.) to model, test, and validate scalable solutions. <\/span>
        <\/li><\/ul>
        • Approve all process parameters, quality metrics, and performance benchmarks. <\/span>
          <\/li><\/ul>

          3. Pilot Trials and Validation<\/b><\/span> <\/span>
          <\/p>

          • Plan and lead pilot trials<\/b>, ensuring technical goals, cost estimates, and performance benchmarks are met. <\/span>
            <\/li><\/ul>
            • Analyze trial outcomes using rigorous data methods to inform scale -up readiness or redesign needs. <\/span>
              <\/li><\/ul>
              • Ensure all trials generate full datasets required for tech transfer and compliance<\/b>. <\/span>
                <\/li><\/ul>

                4. Documentation, SOPs, and Tech Transfer<\/b><\/span> 
                <\/p>

                • Define and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)<\/b>, process control plans, safety protocols, and QC workflows. 
                  <\/li><\/ul>
                  • Manage smooth handover to Operations<\/b>, including training, troubleshooting support, and early production monitoring. 
                    <\/li><\/ul>
                    • Maintain audit -ready documentation<\/b> for internal quality systems and external regulatory needs. 
                      <\/li><\/ul>

                       
                      <\/p>

                      5. Cross -Functional Collaboration<\/b><\/span> 
                      <\/p>

                      • Serve as the liaison between R&D and Manufacturing<\/b>, ensuring open communication, feedback loops, and shared accountability. 
                        <\/li><\/ul>
                        • Integrate perspectives from engineering, purification, and reactor teams into a unified scale -up strategy<\/b>. 
                          <\/li><\/ul>
                          • Present technical outcomes and scale -up forecasts to executive leadership and investors. 
                            <\/li><\/ul>

                            6. Process Modelling and Digital Engineering<\/b><\/span> 
                            <\/p>

                            • Use process simulation tools<\/b> (e.g., Aspen, CFD, thermodynamic models) to validate scale -up design. 
                              <\/li><\/ul>
                              • Lead development of digital twins<\/b> of pilot and commercial systems to predict performance and optimize operations. 
                                <\/li><\/ul>

                                7. Safety, Compliance, and Quality<\/b><\/span> 
                                <\/p>

                                • Lead all EHS activities<\/b> related to scale -up systems, including high -pressure handling, toxic gas containment, and hazard mitigation. 
                                  <\/li><\/ul>
                                  • Approve EHS documentation and ensure all risk controls are implemented prior to scale -up trials or plant commissioning. 
                                    <\/li><\/ul>
                                    • Define Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs)<\/b> in collaboration with the QA and R&D teams. 
                                      <\/li><\/ul>

                                      9. Innovation, IP, and Collaboration<\/b><\/span> 
                                      <\/p>

                                      • Promote process innovations<\/b> that reduce cost, improve yield, or enable new applications. 
                                        <\/li><\/ul>
                                        • Contribute to patent filings, technical whitepapers, and collaborative research programs. 
                                          <\/li><\/ul>
                                          • Partner with academic and national labs for joint development or testing support. 
                                            <\/li><\/ul>

                                             Performance Metrics<\/span><\/b> 
                                            <\/p>

                                            • Successful TRL transitions (e.g., TRL 6 → TRL 8) per roadmap 
                                              <\/li><\/ul>
                                              • Pilot success rate and time -to -scale 
                                                <\/li><\/ul>
                                                • Cost -per -gram reduction in scaled -up processes 
                                                  <\/li><\/ul>
                                                  • Number and quality of handovers to Ops 
                                                    <\/li><\/ul>
                                                    • Internal EHS compliance and zero -incident rate 
                                                      <\/li><\/ul>
                                                      • Team growth, retention, and performance metrics 
                                                        <\/li><\/ul>
                                                        
                                                        <\/div><\/span>
                                                        

                                                        Requirements<\/h3>

                                                        Requirements:<\/b>
                                                        <\/p>

                                                        • Build and lead a multi -disciplinary scale -up team<\/b> with clear roles and strong execution culture. 
                                                          <\/li><\/ul>
                                                          • Coach and mentor junior engineers to think rigorously, act decisively, and own outcomes. 
                                                            <\/li><\/ul>
                                                            • Foster a high -performance, data -driven, and mission -aligned team environment. 
                                                              <\/li><\/ul>

                                                               
                                                              <\/p>

                                                              Qualification & Experience:<\/b>
                                                              <\/p>

                                                              ​<\/b>
                                                              <\/div>

                                                              ·       <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>B. Tech in Chemical Engineering / M. Tech in Chemical Engineering with 8 to 10 Years of Experience in Scale up Commercialization into Specialty Chemicals / EPC / Nanotechnologies / Semiconductor industries of Scaled – Startup.
                                                              <\/p>

                                                              
                                                              <\/div><\/span>
                                                              

                                                              Benefits<\/h3>

                                                              Best in the Industry 
                                                              <\/div><\/span>