Principal - Reactor Performance

Shape the science behind sustainable aviation fuel

Location: Houston, Texas preferred with potential for other locations (remote / hybrid)

Velocys is a leading clean technology company delivering innovative Fischer-Tropsch (FT) solutions that enable the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Renewable Diesel from renewable carbon and hydrogen sources. Backed by leading climate-focused investors, we are helping decarbonize aviation and advance the transition to a more sustainable energy future.

As we scale our next-generation technology platform globally, we are seeking a Principal, Reactor Performance to serve as our technical authority for reactor performance, catalyst behavior, reaction engineering and technology governance.

This is a highly visible leadership role for someone who wants to shape the future of a commercially deployed clean energy technology.

The opportunity

As Principal, Reactor Performance, you will own the scientific foundation that underpins Velocys’ reactor technology. You’ll provide leadership across Technology, Engineering, Product Line, Manufacturing, Deployment and Commercial teams to ensure our reactor performance platform remains robust, predictable and continuously advancing.

You’ll help translate complex catalyst science and reaction engineering into practical engineering decisions, technology roadmaps and commercial confidence.

What you’ll do

• Serve as Velocys’ technical authority for Fischer-Tropsch reactor performance and technology governance.
• Lead catalyst, reaction engineering and performance improvement initiatives that drive technology advancement.
• Govern technology qualification, performance verification and critical technical decision-making.
• Support customer, licensing and commercial activities through expert technical leadership.
• Build organizational capability through external partnerships, knowledge stewardship and technical mentoring.

What we’re looking for

• Experience in Fischer-Tropsch technology or related catalytic process technologies, supported by a degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related field.
• Deep expertise in reactor performance, catalyst behavior, reaction engineering and syngas-to-FT process optimization, with a strong understanding of factors impacting catalyst life, process efficiency and product quality.
• Proven ability to improve existing technologies, evaluate adjacent technology opportunities and translate scientific innovation into commercially valuable solutions.
• Demonstrated success leading technology qualification, scale-up and commercialization in complex multidisciplinary environments.

Preferred

• PhD or Master’s degree
• Direct Fischer-Tropsch experience
• Catalyst development or manufacturing experience
• Kinetic modeling, reactor modeling or process simulation expertise
• Experience supporting commercial deployment of process technologies

Why Velocys?

You’ll join a team of pioneers working to commercialize technologies that can accelerate the global energy transition and help decarbonize aviation.

Own it. Be a pioneer. Focus on customers. Collaborate.

Apply today and help build the future of sustainable aviation fuel.