Chemical Engineer (CCUS & Biofuels)

Chemical Engineer (CCUS & Biofuels)

Entity: Sobono Greenland Pte Ltd (SGPL)
Reporting To: General Manager, SGPL
Location: Singapore (with regional deployment)

Role Purpose

The Chemical Engineer (CCUS & Biofuels) will serve as a core innovation and feasibility engineer within SGPL, responsible for developing, evaluating, and advancing circular and low-carbon technology pathways across Sobono Group.

The role focuses on waste upcycling, carbon capture and utilisation, and biofuels development, with particular depth in ash valorisation and CCUS pathways, translating early-stage concepts into technically credible, commercially viable, and project-ready solutions. The engineer will lead feasibility studies, support pilot concepts, and interface with technology partners, regulators, and grant bodies.

Key Responsibilities

1. Circular Systems & Waste Upcycling (High Emphasis)

• Lead technical studies on upcycling and valorisation of waste materials, including:

  • Biomass ash

  • Industrial residues, sludge, and by-products

• Evaluate processing routes, material properties, product specifications, and end-use applications.

• Support pathway selection based on technical feasibility, scalability, regulatory acceptance, and market potential.

2. Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCUS / CCU) (High Emphasis)

• Develop and assess carbon capture and utilisation concepts, including:

  • Point-source capture from biomass and industrial processes

  • Integration with downstream utilisation or storage pathways

• Conduct process assessments covering capture efficiency, energy penalties, integration with host plants, and operational constraints.

• Support alignment of CCUS concepts with evolving regulatory and policy frameworks.

3. Biofuels & Low-Carbon Fuels (High Emphasis)

• Support feasibility studies for biofuels and e-fuels, including:

  • SAF

  • Bio-oil

  • Syngas and hydrogen-derived fuels

• Assess feedstock suitability, conversion technologies, yield, emissions performance, and scale-up considerations.

• Interface with potential offtake, certification, and compliance requirements where relevant.

4. Feasibility Studies, Modelling & Techno-Economic Analysis

• Lead or support:

  • Concept screening and option comparison

  • Process modelling and mass & energy balances

  • Techno-economic analysis (TEA) to evaluate CAPEX, OPEX, and economic viability

• Provide FEED-level technical inputs to enable downstream EPCM or project development decisions.

5. Pilot Concepts, Grants & IP Support

• Support bench-scale and pilot-scale concepts, including test planning and evaluation of results.

• Prepare technical inputs for:

  • Grant and innovation funding proposals

  • Regulatory sandboxes and pilot programmes

• Assist in IP evaluation, patent reviews, and protection strategies for internally developed concepts.

6. External Collaboration & Interfaces

• Coordinate technical engagement with:

  • Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs)

  • Technology licensors and startups

  • Regulators (e.g. NEA, EMA, MPA, Enterprise Singapore)

  • Grant and funding bodies

• Support collaborative R&D initiatives and joint studies aligned with Sobono Group's strategic objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

Mandatory

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering or related discipline.

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in:

  • Chemical or process engineering

  • R&D, pilot plants, or early-stage technology development

• Strong grounding in:

  • Process analysis and engineering fundamentals

  • Experimental or applied research environments

Desirable

• Experience in one or more of the following sectors:

  • Energy, chemicals, waste management, or low-carbon technologies

• Exposure to:

  • CCUS / CCU systems

  • Waste valorisation or materials recovery

  • Biofuels or alternative fuels development

• Familiarity with:

  • Grant-funded projects

  • Regulatory or pilot-approval processes

Travel & Deployment

• Moderate regional travel expected.

• Exposure to regional laboratories, pilot facilities, and operating plants as required by project needs.

Key Attributes & Cultural Fit

• Strong analytical and experimental mindset.

• Comfortable operating in uncertain, early-stage, and evolving technology environments.

• Able to translate laboratory or pilot findings into commercially and technically defensible pathways.

• Structured thinker with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly.

Career Progression

This role is positioned as a strategic innovation pipeline within SGPL, with long-term progression into:

• Innovation Lead

• Head of Circular Technologies

• Strategy or Low-Carbon Fuels leadership roles within Sobono Group

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