Process/Applications Engineer

Gradiant is a Different Kind of Water Company. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end solutions for advanced water and wastewater treatment powered by the top minds in water, the company serves its clients’ mission-critical operations in the world’s essential industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, lithium and critical minerals, and renewable energy. Gradiant’s innovative solutions reduce water used and wastewater discharged, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. The Boston-headquartered company was founded at MIT and has over 1,400 employees worldwide. Discover us at www.gradiant.com.

Role Overview

The Process/Applications Engineer plays a key role in designing and developing water and wastewater treatment solutions for industrial and municipal clients. They are responsible for process design, technical proposal development, and providing technical support across a wide range of treatment technologies. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, they ensure solutions are technically sound, commercially viable, and aligned with client specifications. The role involves preparing process documentation, participating in tendering activities and detailed engineering design, and supporting execution and commissioning efforts. With a strong foundation in engineering principles and market awareness, the Process Engineer contributes to both innovation and project execution throughout the sales and delivery lifecycle.

Responsibilities

Proposal & Tender Management

• Lead the end-to-end RFP/RFQ response process, including process planning, technical evaluations, scheduling milestones, content development, layout formatting, and pricing strategies.
• Develop tailored strategies for each tender in collaboration with internal stakeholders to align with client requirements and organizational capabilities.
• Review tender documents and prepare both technical and commercial clarifications, highlighting exceptions, assumptions, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate risk reviews and contribute to the finalization of technical and commercial proposals for submission.
• Assist in maintaining and updating corporate sales tools, knowledge management platforms, and proposal templates.

Cost Estimation & Pricing

• Support the estimation team by obtaining equipment cost quotations from vendors and suppliers.
• Assist in verifying that all required equipment and instrumentation are captured in the costing sheet to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Technical Design & Coordination

• Develop cost effective and innovative water and wastewater treatment solutions that align with the client’s design criteria and requirements.
• Work closely with the Applications team to validate and finalize process schemes, treatment solutions, and system designs.
• Define process design requirements, including performance guarantees and treatment objectives, to ensure water and wastewater quality targets are met.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, and process engineering teams to develop complete proposal packages, including design documentation and specifications.
• Prepare detailed process engineering deliverables (e.g equipment lists, mass balance, total cost of ownership, datasheets, commissioning and performance testing plans/ procedures, O&M manual) and closely coordinate with the project and engineering team during project implementation.
• Support the drafting and review of tender drawings to ensure alignment with the proposed solution and design standards.

Documentation & Deliverables

• Prepare and coordinate the development of proposal documentation, including technical write-ups, process plant descriptions, datasheets, and design reports.
• Oversee the creation and review of process drawings such as Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Process & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID), and 2D layout drawings.
• Provide drafting support using AutoCAD to produce preliminary layouts and process schematics as required.

Vendor & Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with consultants, vendors, and contractors to obtain quotations for equipment and materials.
• Participate in supplier meetings to assess technical compliance and lead pricing negotiations.
• Ensure all vendor inputs are accurately incorporated into the proposal design and cost estimates.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or Process Engineering.
• Strong knowledge of water and wastewater treatment technologies: DAF, MMF, MBR, MBBR, UF, RO, evaporators, ZLD systems.
• Skilled in process calculations, system optimization, and development of PFDs, PIDs, and mass/energy balances.
• Experience with detail engineering, control narratives, O&M manuals, and technical documentation.
• Familiar with system commissioning; HAZOP/SIL experience is a plus.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and preparation of tender drawings and technical deliverables such as Equipment List, Mass Balance, Total Cost of Ownership, Load List, etc
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and deliver projects on time.
• Experience collaborating with sales, engineering, and procurement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, analytical, and solution-oriented.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Commercially aware, with understanding of pricing strategies and market dynamics.
• Detail-focused, highly numerate, and proactive in team contribution.
• Quick learner with a passion for continuous improvement.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in process design and proposal development for water and wastewater treatment systems.

Gradiant is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.