Process Development 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
Standard condition building with scale-up in mind is necessary at NanoFrontier. This position will advance DoE factor extraction → standardization → SOP creation, and optimize measurement/inspection flows and jig/control parameters. We’re looking for someone who can accumulate knowledge that bridges equipment and chemistry.
What You’ll Gain
- Develop products and technologies that customers need, with commercialization in mind
- Can consistently handle 0→1 equipment setup and scale-up operations
- Involved in both experiments and equipment introduction with large field discretion
- Fast decision-making in small teams with immediate reflection of your proposals
3. Key Responsibilities
- Design process flows and equipment layouts, plan necessary equipment and piping, select and coordinate with manufacturers
- Scale-up experiments to adjust experimental conditions to mass production scale and find optimal operating conditions
- Equipment installation, trial operation, verification (FAT/SAT/IQ/OQ) and startup to operation, create work procedures (SOPs)
- Safety and quality management (EHS, SDS, hazardous material response), set quality check items and measurements
- Cost estimation, yield/takt time calculation, bottleneck analysis and improvement proposals
- Record daily work procedures and changes, manage experimental and operation data
4. Requirements, Skills & Experience
Required
- Alignment with NanoFrontier’s business and mission
- 3+ years experience in chemical process development or manufacturing transfer (including pilot equipment introduction and startup experience)
- Knowledge of colloids, particle synthesis, or crystallization (including dispersion, mixing, solid-liquid separation)
- Experience in piping and equipment layout design using CAD (AutoCAD, Plant 3D, etc.)
- Experience negotiating with vendors, comparing estimates, managing delivery dates
- Japanese internal/external coordination ability, English specification/manual reading comprehension
Preferred
- Design experience in continuous flow reactors, inline measurement (pH, conductivity, turbidity, temperature, flow rate, pressure)
- Experience in risk assessment like HAZOP and What-If, practical experience in EHS, fire safety, and chemical substance regulation compliance
- Data analysis using Python or Excel and simple dashboard creation (SPC)
- Experience in drying, powder handling (explosion-proof, dust collection)
What We’re Looking For
- Someone who can quickly cycle through hypothesis → experiment → review even under uncertain conditions
- Someone who can logically organize changes and share immediately
- Someone who can judge the balance of safety, quality, and speed 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.