Controls Engineer

WHO WE ARE
Kunin Technologies is revolutionizing the critical mineral supply chain by implementing advanced separation technologies to capture value from overlooked resources.
Metals are everywhere, in solar panels, smartphones, electric vehicles, but as ore grades plummet globally, traditional extraction methods are failing. China dominates critical minerals markets by developing superior separation technologies that extract value from materials American mines discard as waste.
Utilizing Kunin Technologies' breakthrough performance, ion-exchange media significantly more value can be produced from each resource, reducing waste, and unlocking metal abundance.
To achieve metal abundance, humanity must bring separation science down its own Moore’s Law: fix the idiot cost index for micro and nano scale separation materials. This requires mass manufacturing novel ion-exchange media form factors which previously struggled from high costs.
THE ROLE
We are automating the roll-to-roll processing of ion-exchange media. This is a similar serial production challenge to battery electrodes. You are responsible for making three-unit operations one coherent line: web transport, drives and tension control, unwind and rewind stands, and the controls and automation layer (PLC, HMI/SCADA, recipes, data logging) that ties it together. Battery electrode coating experience maps directly: fragile-web transport, wet steps, drying, precision tension, modern automation.
You are part of a new team in Chattanooga, TN comprising a radiochemist, beam systems engineer, and chemical process engineer. We need this built in < 6 months to feed our growing critical metals project pipeline.
This demonstration line becomes the basis of a greenfield manufacturing facility in Series A – B, at 10X the scale, with automated material handling and integrated back–end exchange media equipment packaging and integrated front-end continuous microfiber media sheet production.
This role matures to cover integration to distributed controls systems, integration to internal production scheduling software, implementation of in-line QA/QC, and preventative maintenance scheduling + supply chain management.
By the end of Q1 2027, we expect this line to be installed and operating at nameplate. By 2030, we want to be the world’s largest volume producer of ion-exchange media.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Line architecture: unwind and rewind stands, roll transfer between unit operations, accumulator and festoon strategy, and splice stations
- Web transport and tension control for low-basis-weight nonwovens: drive sizing, load cells and dancers, tension zones through nips, baths, the beam shield labyrinth, and dryers
- Controls and automation: PLC programming, drive coordination and draw control, HMI/SCADA, recipe management, and interlock coordination with the beam systems engineer
- Line data: sensor selection and logging of speed, tensions, temperatures, bath parameters, and dose records – captured from day one
- Commissioning leadership when unit operations physically connect; line-level safety: e-stops, guarding, LOTO
QUALIFICATIONS AND PREFERRED SKILLS
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering field - electrical or chemical engineer preferred.
- 3+ years on roll-to-roll production or pilot lines with hands-on drives, tension, and controls work - battery electrode coating background preferred.
- PLC and HMI programming experience (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley or Siemens class) with servo and VFD drive commissioning.
- 1+ years of experience using software tools such as Matlab, C++ or Python.
- Ability to work in fast paced and demanding atmosphere
- Experience trouble shooting sensors, actuators, and electrical components
- Creative problem solving that brings together reactive chemistry, radiochemistry, material handling, fluid mechanics disciplines.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Position located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Travel to partners' facilities may be intermittently required.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Extended hours and weekends frequently required to support critical project milestones.
"The Whole World Is Ion-Exchange And The Rest Are Merely Details!"
Dr. Robert Kunin of Rohm and Haas, The Pioneer of the Ion-Exchange Industry, 1951

Employment type
FullTime

Work arrangement
No