Head of Process Engineering & Industrialisation

We are partnering with an innovation-driven, well-funded nanotechnology startup with over two decades of proprietary advanced materials R&D. Backed by recognition from leading national industrial authorities and support from prominent figures in the global oil industry, our client's Malaysian hub focuses on new product development, industrial validation, and manufacturing of biochar-derived green fuel additives and organic plant nutrition products for global markets.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Process Engineering & Industrialisation to lead the engineering architecture, design, integration, industrial validation, and phased scale-up of a complex materials-processing platform-ranging from biomass/biochar preparation through proprietary processing to stable nano-carbon slurry products. The successful candidate will own the end-to-end engineering framework.

the job.

• Process Design & Layout: Develop end-to-end process concepts, design bases, PFDs, P&IDs, plant layouts, equipment interfaces, utility requirements, mass/energy balances, process safety reviews, and phased capacity plans.
• Feedstock & Carbon Preparation: Assess coarse crushing, drying, screening, feeding/discharge systems, biochar specifications, carbon enrichment, ash reduction, and particle removal.
• Grinding & Size Reduction: Evaluate and integrate dry/wet grinding, wet media/ball milling, micronisation/nano-size reduction, and spheroidisation.
• Slurry Engineering & Handling: Design slurry preparation, liquid mixing, dispersion, agglomeration control, surface modification, emulsification, and stability workflows.
• Troubleshooting & Transport: Resolve solids handling and slurry transport engineering issues (rheology, pumping, blockages, sedimentation, and pipe sizing).
• Procurement & Commissioning: Plan equipment procurement, vendor technical reviews, FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, pilot trials, and technology transfer.
• Team Leadership: Lead engineering teams and external specialists; coordinate with R&D, QC, operations, maintenance, EHS, and suppliers while producing robust budgets and risk registers.

the experience.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline (postgraduate/professional qualifications advantageous).
• Minimum 20 years of relevant industrial engineering experience, including senior leadership in process design, plant construction/commissioning, and industrial scale-up within process industries (petrochemicals, fuels, minerals, carbon materials, or specialty chemicals).
• Strong background in grinding, powder handling, dispersion, emulsification, slurry rheology, and separation technologies.
• Hands-on problem solver, strong leader, commercially aware, adaptable in a startup environment, and comfortable with frequent travel.