Chemical Engineer

Sr. Chemical Process Engineer

The Sr. Chemical Process Engineer plays a key role in leading process optimization and capital improvement projects while providing technical support to day-to-day plant operations in a hands-on manufacturing environment. This position suits an engineer who enjoys working directly in the plant, solving complex process challenges, working with hazardous chemicals, and managing projects from concept through implementation. The role offers broad responsibility in a smaller plant setting where engineers wear many hats and have a direct impact on plant performance, safety, and future growth initiatives, with strong visibility and ownership across operations, process optimization, and capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead process improvement initiatives that enhance safety, reliability, throughput, product quality, and cost efficiency.
• Support daily manufacturing operations by identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving process-related issues in a timely manner.
• Perform heat and material balance calculations to evaluate existing processes and support new process development.
• Evaluate and optimize process equipment such as pumps, vessels, piping systems, heat exchangers, and other plant assets to improve performance and reliability.
• Support operations in a Process Safety Management (PSM) regulated environment and participate in safety reviews, hazard analyses, and compliance activities.
• Develop, update, and maintain process flow diagrams (PFDs), P&IDs, operating procedures, and other engineering documentation.
• Collaborate closely with operations, maintenance, electrical and instrumentation teams, contractors, and vendors to implement process improvements and resolve plant issues.
• Manage capital projects ranging from equipment upgrades to plant expansion initiatives, ensuring alignment with operational and safety goals.
• Lead projects from concept development, scope definition, and budgeting through installation, commissioning, startup, and handover to operations.
• Assist with equipment specification, vendor selection, contractor coordination, and overall project execution to meet technical, schedule, and budget requirements.
• Participate in troubleshooting activities during plant startups, shutdowns, and turnarounds to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to process automation, instrumentation, and control systems to enhance process stability and performance.
• Track project schedules, budgets, risks, and deliverables using project management tools and methodologies.
• Support operational excellence initiatives by leveraging data analysis and emerging technologies, including AI-driven tools where appropriate, to improve engineering productivity and project outcomes.
• Communicate technical concepts and recommendations clearly to both engineering and operations teams to support effective decision-making and implementation.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering (required).
• 7–10+ years of plant-based chemical or process engineering experience within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Demonstrated experience in both process engineering and project engineering roles.
• Experience working in a Process Safety Management (PSM) or hazardous chemical environment.
• Proven experience managing capital projects valued at $100K or more from concept through startup and completion.
• Strong chemical engineering fundamentals, including heat transfer, material and energy balances, fluid flow and pressure drop calculations, and process calculations.
• Experience with process equipment sizing and selection, including pumps, vessels, piping systems, heat exchangers, and related unit operations.
• Knowledge of distillation, separations, and other core unit operations.
• Experience supporting plant operations and troubleshooting process issues in a hands-on environment.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively to both engineering and operations personnel.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products for analysis, reporting, and project documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• PMP certification is a plus.
• Experience with in chemical…