Senior Scientist/Process Chemist

ABOUT XL BATTERIES

XL Batteries is developing the world’s lowest-cost, safest, and most scalable long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology. Our patented Organic Flow Battery combines proven flow battery architecture with proprietary, pH-neutral, non-flammable, and non-toxic organic electrolytes. By utilizing globally ubiquitous chemical feedstocks, we enable clean, reliable grid-scale storage to support renewable energy integration, data centers, and mass electrification.

Our Chemical Process Development group is a multidisciplinary team of organic synthetic chemists, process development chemists, and chemical engineers working together to design novel synthetic routes from raw materials. We focus on developing safe, economical, sustainable, and robust processes to support the commercial manufacturing of our proprietary electrolytes. Our work combines innovative science, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration to translate laboratory chemistry into reliable, industrial-scale manufacturing.

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Scientist / Process Chemist plays a critical role in translating laboratory-developed synthetic processes into safe, cost-effective, and executable manufacturing processes at kilo-lab, pilot, and commercial scales. Working hands-on with our cross-functional Chemistry and Engineering teams, you will lead the preparation, optimization, scale-up, and execution of processes supporting the production of XL Batteries’ proprietary organic electrolytes.

You will lead and coordinate manufacturing and scale-up campaign activities-including route scouting, process design, equipment selection and setup, raw material planning, process safety evaluations, batch recipe development, campaign execution, process documentation, and tech transfer to external manufacturing partners (CMOs/toll manufacturers). This role requires a blend of deep synthetic chemistry expertise, practical problem-solving, and mechanical aptitude, paired with a strong commitment to safety, quality, and environmental stewardship.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Process Scale-Up & Optimization: Independently lead the route optimization, process characterization, and scale-up of synthetic chemical processes from laboratory scale into kilo-lab (up to 200L) and pilot-scale manufacturing.

· Campaign Leadership: Serve as the technical and operational lead for internal and external scale-up campaigns, managing equipment selection, raw material sourcing/planning, recipe preparation, batch execution, equipment cleaning, and batch record documentation.

· Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner hands-on with organic chemists, electrochemists, analytical scientists, and chemical engineers to define critical process parameters (CPPs) and translate bench chemistry into robust, commercially viable operations.

· Process Safety & Compliance: Conduct and review process safety evaluations (e.g., calorimetry, hazard assessments) and translate operating boundaries into safe manufacturing practices in accordance with EHS and regulatory standards.

· Troubleshooting & Continuous Improvement: Apply scientific and engineering principles to resolve technical and operational challenges during scale-up; monitor batch performance and document deviations, yields, impurities, and cost-reduction opportunities.

· Technology Transfer: Support external manufacturing campaigns and tolling partners by authoring tech transfer packages, overseeing initial runs, and ensuring seamless scalability.

· Innovation: Evaluate and implement emerging processing technologies (such as continuous/flow chemistry or process intensification) to improve synthesis economics and sustainability.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Education & Experience: Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline with 2+ years of relevant industry experience; OR M.S. with 5+ years; OR B.S. with 8+ years of experience in chemical process development and scale-up.

· Technical Expertise: Demonstrated experience in synthetic organic process development, route optimization, kilo-lab/pilot-plant operations, or specialty/fine chemical manufacturing.

· Equipment & Unit Operations: Working knowledge of chemical processing equipment (e.g., jacketed reactors, filtration, distillation, drying) and synthetic manufacturing unit operations.

· Hands-On Mindset: Ability and willingness to work hands-on with laboratory and kilo-lab processing equipment for setup, operation, and troubleshooting.

· Safety & Quality: Strong commitment to safe laboratory/plant practices, process safety fundamentals, and rigorous documentation.

· Collaboration & Autonomy: Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced startup environment, and communicate effectively across scientific and engineering disciplines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Experience scaling processes for electroactive organic molecules, specialty chemicals, polymers, or battery electrolytes.

· Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE), reaction kinetics, and analytical techniques (HPLC, NMR, GC, Karl Fischer, ICP) for in-process control and impurity profiling.

· Experience managing technology transfer and external manufacturing campaigns with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) or toll manufacturers.

· Exposure to continuous/flow processing or process intensification methodologies.

· Understanding of techno-economic analysis (TEA) and cost-of-goods (COGS) drivers in commodity/specialty chemical synthesis.

The level of the position will be determined based on the selected candidate’s education, relevant experience, and demonstrated capabilities. The responsibilities described above are representative of the role and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.

We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials-if this role excites you, even if your background doesn’t match every qualification, we encourage you to apply.