Manufacturing & Scale-up Engineer
1. About Us
NanoFrontier is a research-driven startup that provides end-to-end solutions from design to mass production and quality assurance for materials in energy, environment, and pharmaceutical fields, centered around nanoparticle generation technology through reprecipitation method developed over many years at Tohoku University. We also provide nanoparticle manufacturing services and technology licensing, rapidly advancing joint research and PoC with manufacturers and academic institutions in Sendai (main base) and Tokyo (collaboration base).
2. Role & Responsibilities
Preparation for transferring lab-achieved conditions to stable operation on pilot equipment is about to begin in earnest. This position will advance line design, FAT/SAT, improvement plans for operating rates, yields, and variations, and design and operational systematization of equipment recipes and startup indicators. We’re looking for someone who can build mass production systems through data-driven improvements.
What You’ll Gain
- Develop products and technologies that customers need, with commercialization in mind
- Can lead 0→1 equipment setup and scale-up
- Can build process design, operation rules, and personnel systems yourself
- Fast decision-making in small organizations with large field discretion
3. Key Responsibilities
- Overall equipment startup coordination (installation to trial operation to continuous operation) and establishment of Go/No-Go criteria
- Design production plans and shifts, improve yields, unit costs, and takt time
- Final approval of shipping standards (COA), operation of change management and emergency response
- Change management (MOC), deviation response, corrective actions (CAPA), hosting quality meetings
- Vendor, maintenance, and calibration outsourcing management (contract terms, delivery dates, costs)
- Cost and budget management, quarterly reviews (collaboration with FP&A and procurement departments)
4. Requirements, Skills & Experience
Required
- Alignment with NanoFrontier’s business and mission
- 5+ years of manufacturing/scale-up experience in process industries like chemicals, materials, food, batteries, etc.
- Experience in pilot to small-scale mass production line setup (FAT/SAT/IQ/OQ)
- Basic knowledge of quality and safety (change/deviation management, SDS, hazardous materials, practical experience in labor safety, fire safety, and chemical substance regulation)
- Improvements through data analysis (SPC, yield/unit cost, takt time analysis)
- Experience managing vendors and outsourcing, leading cross-departmental projects
Preferred
- Expertise in continuous flow, dispersion/crystallization, solid-liquid separation, or drying
- Experience introducing inline measurement (pH, conductivity, turbidity, flow rate, pressure, temperature) and automation equipment
- ISO9001/14001 acquisition and operation, risk assessment like HAZOP and What-If
- English specification coordination and troubleshooting
What We’re Looking For
- Someone who can quickly cycle through hypothesis → operation → improvement even under uncertain conditions
- Someone who can organize changes with numbers and documents and quickly share with stakeholders
- Someone who can judge the balance of safety, quality, and cost in the field
5. Location & Work Style
- Location: Sendai
- Work style: Hybrid (4-5 days in office per week)
- Work hours: Full flex (core hours 10:00-16:00)
6. Benefits & Welfare
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Holidays & Leave | ・Complete 5-day workweek ・Annual paid leave ・Year-end and New Year holidays |
| Insurance | Complete social insurance coverage |
| Housing | Company housing system available |
| PC & IT Tools | PC provided. ChatGPT usage covered by company. Other necessary IT tools available through consultation and application |
| Health Support | Massage and gym usage support |
| Meal Support | Tohoku University cafeteria meal card provided (under adjustment) |
| Career Development | Support for qualifications, technical books, exam costs, etc. |
| Grant Incentives | Incentive design for grant acquisition |
| Relocation Support | For relocation from Tokyo to Sendai: Up to 1 million yen relocation bonus through Sendai City relocation support program For relocation from other regions: Under adjustment |
7. Selection Process
- Casual interview: 30-60 minutes
- Technical interview & discussion: 60+ minutes
- Offer interview & final decision
※ Results for each selection process will be provided within 3 business days. Steps may be omitted based on candidate circumstances.
8. Company Information
- Company Name: NanoFrontier Inc. (Headquarters: 2F Urban Net Sendai Central Building, 4-4-19 Central, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture)
- Corporate Philosophy: “Toward a society where all resources circulate smoothly and are utilized in optimal forms”
- Business Areas:
- (1) Research, development, manufacturing, and sales of reagents and functional materials using organic nanoparticle technology
- (2) Contract manufacturing of organic nanoparticles and provision of related technologies
- (3) Technology licensing and technical consulting in the field of organic nanoparticle technology
- (4) All businesses incidental to the above
- https://nanofrontier.jp/
9. How to Apply
Please apply through our recruitment page application form.