- Location: Walkersville, Maryland
- Type: Direct Hire
- Job #196
Graphene Extraction Technical Lead
Location: Walkersville, MD (on-site position)
Build a First-of-Its-Kind Domestic Carbon Platform
An advanced materials venture is establishing a pilot facility in Maryland to commercialize a proprietary carbon conversion platform for next-generation carbon materials. The facility will produce purified carbon materials supporting downstream graphite and graphene development.
Backed by experienced technical leadership and validated bench-scale chemistry, the organization is entering equipment installation, pilot commissioning, and process scale-up. This role offers the opportunity to architect graphene production at pilot scale and help define the pathway to industrial-scale manufacturing within a new domestic carbon platform.
What You Will Do
In this hands-on scale-up role, you will lead the technical work required to evaluate graphene extraction approaches and translate the most promising methods into stable pilot-scale operations, helping define the pathway for scalable graphene production.
Responsibilities include:
- Evaluate graphene production approaches and translate viable concepts into pilot-scale operating conditions, defining extraction parameters, flake morphology targets, and yield optimization strategies.
- Develop and execute structured test plans to optimize material purity, consistency, and performance
- Interpret materials characterization data (Raman, SEM/TEM, BET, particle size)
- Support equipment selection, process design, testing, and commissioning of graphene production systems
- Help define the long-term process architecture for scalable graphene production
What Success Looks Like
Within the first 18 months:
- Graphene extraction processes translated from laboratory concept into stable pilot-scale operations
- Equipment installed, commissioned, and operating with defined process parameters
- Initial yield, flake morphology, and purity targets established through structured testing
- Process architecture is defined to support future scale-up
After 18 months:
- Graphene production systems established and ready for multi-hundred-ton annual capacity
What You Bring
We are targeting high-performing technical leaders with 7–12 years of experience who are ready to assume expanded ownership in a pilot-scale, high-growth environment. We are targeting technical leaders capable of bridging carbon nanomaterials science and pilot-scale execution, particularly individuals who have helped scale emerging materials technologies from laboratory proof of concept to pilot systems.
Strong candidates will bring 7–12 years of post-bachelor’s experience in carbon materials science, nanomaterials processing, or advanced materials process development (graduate and postdoctoral work count toward experience).
Relevant backgrounds may include:
Mechanical shear exfoliation • Electrochemical exfoliation • Thermal shock or expansion • Plasma or energy-driven carbon synthesis • Nanocarbon production environments
Common titles may include:
Senior Materials Scientist • Graphene Process Engineer • Nanomaterials Process Development Engineer • Carbon Process Development Engineer
The strongest candidates will demonstrate:
- Experience translating laboratory research into pilot-scale production
- Strong experimental design and process optimization capability
- Hands-on technical execution and ownership mindset
- Comfort operating in fast-moving technical environments
- Startup or early commercialization experience
Education
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology, or a related discipline required; PhD preferred. Candidates may come from multiple educational pathways, with the expected level of industry experience varying accordingly.
Operating Environment
Our client is an early-stage pilot-scale operation. Success requires:
- Comfort operating in a fast-moving build environment while helping establish technical rigor
- Strong operational judgment in a small, high-accountability team
- The ability to define systems rather than simply operate within them
- Startup or pilot plant experience is highly valued.
Travel – Minimal travel expected. This role is primarily facility-based in Maryland.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $140-160K, commensurate with experience
- Bonus: 10% annual performance bonus
- Eligible for Long-Term Incentive plan
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), Paid Time Off, company-paid STD, LTD, and Life insurance.
Work Authorization
Candidates must qualify as a U.S. Person as defined under applicable U.S. export control regulations (such as U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents/green card holders, or other protected individuals). Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Our client is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.