Senior/Principal Process Engineer

Job Summary:

The Process Engineer provides technical support for the entire refinery operations. They are responsible for daily monitoring and troubleshooting, process optimization, and development of small capital projects / modifications to existing units. 

Essential Functions:

• Oversee day-to-day operations and optimization to ensure safety, regulatory, commercial, and logistical requirements are met
• Monitor all catalyst life and health to determine if the feedstock is causing any issues
• Identify opportunities for improvement (proactively and reactively)
• Participate in alarm rationalization (AOA)
• Inspect field equipment installation according to the design and fabricator’s specifications during unit outages
• Inspect vessel internals for proper installation and tolerances of components
• Work with engineering personnel to troubleshoot process upsets in system operation and provide feedback on RCA (root cause analysis) reports
• Work with vendors, licensors, and contractors to support debottlenecking and troubleshooting safe and reliable running of the refinery
• Provide operational technical support during test runs, commissioning, startups and shutdowns
• Monitor daily process by communicating performance, optimization opportunities, and environmental performance. Daily interaction and communication with field and board operators.
• Assist troubleshooting efforts with upsets, product quality incidents, meeting production plans, etc.
• Provide after-hours support when appropriate – emergency call out
• Utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPI) as part of routine reporting (WABT curve, fouling, chemical and catalyst budgets, yields, etc.)
• Manage catalyst performance and coordinate catalyst change timing
• Develop justification and work scope for T/A and routine maintenance – specifically catalyst changeout, exchanger cleaning, furnace pigging, etc.
• Publish technical recommendation memos and turnaround reports
• Support T/A with potential extended work schedules and/or night shifts as appropriate
• Support/review operations procedures for start-up and shutdown
• Review and approve vendor chemical programs
• Small to medium capital project process engineering support
• Lead and participate in the MOC process and participate in hazard reviews (What-Ifs, HAZOPs), support Process Safety Information (PSI) and troubleshooting
• Support unit operation within environmental limits
• Perform environmental calculations (leaks, maximum intended inventory, etc.)
• Lead investigations for process related events
• Maintain current work lists with priorities
• Perform other tasks as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills and extremely resourceful
• Proven ability to provide process engineering support for large complex industrial projects 
• Familiarity with applicable health and safety regulations
• Strong technical, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
• Proficient with Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite

Education and Experience:

• BS Chemical Engineering degree
• MS and/or PhD Engineering degree, preferably in Chemical , preferred
• 10+ years of process engineering operations experience in petrochemical, refining, or heavy industrial sectors operations working on the owner side required
• Experience with renewable diesel production, hydroprocessing, hydrogen production, and gas plant equipment and ancillary support systems preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to perform repetitive movements over long periods of time
• Requires frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching
• Requires lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring equipment and materials
• Ability to work in confined spaces and wear self-contained breathing apparatus
• Must be able to climb ladders and or stairs on tanks, vessels and structures; wear respirator; work around equipment containing high pressures and temperatures and various chemicals

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.