Role description
Kunin TechnologiesWHO 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 own the controls layer that makes separate unit operations one coherent line: web transport, drives and tension control, in-line process controls on bath, dryer and dose parameters, and the PLC, HMI and SCADA layer with recipes, interlocks and data logging that ties it together. Battery electrode coating experience maps directly: fragile-web transport, wet steps, drying, precision tension, modern automation.
This is a growth role. We are hiring an early-to-mid career controls engineer who has commissioned in-line process controls or automation on a real line and wants to become the Head of Controls, and from there a leader of manufacturing or production, as the line scales from demonstration to a greenfield plant. You will build the controls and automation team as it forms.
You are part of a dozen-person, rapidly growing team in Chattanooga, TN delivering this line by the end of 2027.
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.
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 media: drive sizing, load cells and dancers, tension zones through nips, baths, the beam shield labyrinth, and dryers
In-line process controls: closed-loop control of bath concentration, temperature, residence time, dryer profile and dose, with the sensors and analyzers that feed them
Controls and automation: PLC programming, drive coordination and draw control, HMI and SCADA, recipe management, and interlock coordination with the beam systems engineer and the material handling automation
Line data: sensor selection and logging of speed, tensions, temperatures, bath parameters and dose records, captured from day one and made usable for process development and quality release
Commissioning leadership when unit operations physically connect; line-level safety: e-stops, guarding, LOTO; growth into the Head of Controls role, hiring and leading controls and automation staff
QUALIFICATIONS AND PREFERRED SKILLS
Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechatronics, chemical or mechanical engineering.
3-8 years on roll-to-roll, continuous process or automated production lines with hands-on drives, tension and controls work; battery electrode coating, converting, or process plant backgrounds preferred.
PLC and HMI programming experience (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley or Siemens class) with servo and VFD drive commissioning, and in-line process control loops tuned on a live line.
Experience with SCADA, historians and recipe systems, and with troubleshooting sensors, actuators and electrical components.
Wants to lead: has owned the controls scope on a commissioning, or has guided technicians and integrators through a startup.
Creative problem solving that brings together reactive chemistry, material handling, controls and 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