Federal Process Engineer

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

We are currently working on projects and have openings available to support the modernization of Department of Defense and Department of Energy facilities contributing to the mission of defending the United States and supporting the warfighter.

The Federal Process Engineer is responsible for planning, developing, and executing process engineering tasks for industrial, manufacturing, energy, life sciences, and advanced technology projects supporting federal clients. Working independently with general supervision, the Federal Process Engineer develops process designs, evaluates existing systems, supports process improvements, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, efficient, and compliant engineering solutions.

The Federal Process Engineer will support multiple federal project teams to assess existing industrial processes, introduce commercial technology, and automate process steps to optimize throughput while preserving stringent safety and quality standards.

• Evaluate production, manufacturing, utility, chemical, and industrial processes to improve safety, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), heat and material balances, and process narratives.
• Perform process calculations including mass balances, energy balances, hydraulic calculations, and equipment sizing.
• Prepare equipment specifications, process data sheets, and procurement support documents.
• Support process hazard analyses (PHA), hazard and operational (HAZOP) studies, safety reviews, and regulatory compliance assessments.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, architectural, civil, and environmental disciplines.
• Support facility planning, process layout development, utility coordination, and operational readiness activities.
• Participate in client meetings, technical reviews, and project presentations.
• Support construction, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting activities.
• Assist with proposal development, scope definition, budgeting, and project planning.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to project team members.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (with significant process engineering experience), industrial engineering (with relevant process experience), or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 5-10 years of progressively responsible process engineering experience.
• Experience supporting industrial, manufacturing, chemical, energy, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, semiconductor, or advanced technology facilities.
• Experience working with federal clients or a major defense contractor.
• Demonstrated experience producing engineering calculations, technical reports, specifications, and design documents.
• Credentialing to include the Professional Engineer (PE) license, Certified Process Safety Professional (CCPSC), Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, Project Management Professional (PMP), or ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP).
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Experience with EPC, design-build, or federal government projects.
• Experience with process automation and controls integration.
• Experience supporting construction, commissioning, and startup.
• Experience performing process safety analyses and risk assessments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite,…