Process Engineer

About the role

The Process Engineer is responsible for designing, optimizing, and sustaining manufacturing and utility processes to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production. This role serves as the technical owner of process improvements and projects, supporting process performance and capability, and leading the end-to-end delivery of capital and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure stable, consistent, and controlled production operations.

Responsibilities

Working closely with Operations, Quality, R&D, Maintenance, and Engineering, the Process Engineer drives optimization of process conditions, reduces variability, and supports scale-up, technology transfer, and continuous improvement across batching, material handling, and utility systems.

• Analyze plant data to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and loss drivers
• Optimize throughput, yield, energy consumption, and operating cost
• Monitor and adjust process conditions to maintain product quality and stability
• Develop and improve processes for new and existing systems
• Perform mass and energy balances to validate performance and capacity
• Define and size critical equipment (pipes, pumps, mixers, heat exchangers, utilities)
• Evaluate process and design alternatives to improve efficiency and cost
• Utilize process data, simulation tools, and analytics to drive performance improvements
• Lead and manage process capital projects from concept through execution, ensuring safe, on-time, and on-budget delivery
• Develop process KPIs, dashboards, and apply SPC/statistical analysis
• Support new product introduction and technology transfer into manufacturing
• Drive continuous improvement and sustain process performance
• Lead RCA for process deviations and plant upsets
• Troubleshoot batching issues, separations, heat transfer, and fluid systems
• Provide technical support to Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and Safety
• Implement and validate corrective and preventive actions on the plant floor

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related field
• At least 3-5+ years of experience in chemical engineering (chemical, oil & gas, or FMCG)
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid flow, including application to process operation, equipment performance, and manufacturing and utility systems
• Experience in continuous and/or batch processing environments
• Experience in process design, optimization, and troubleshooting
• Experience working with process control systems and plant operations
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capability
• Experience supporting commissioning, startup, or plant operations
• Proven track record of delivering process improvements and cost savings
• Proven experience leading CapEx projects from concept through commissioning, including scope, budget, and execution management

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with process simulation tools (Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Plus, or similar)
• Experience with process safety methodologies (HAZOP, LOPA, PSM)
• Six Sigma or Lean certification
• Knowledge of separation processes, RO systems, utilities, and heat transfer equipment
• Strong understanding of instrumentation and automation systems; experience with automation and controls, able to collaborate with controls teams on DCS/PLC systems

Pay

The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. This position is bonus eligible and LTI eligible.

Benefits

Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan, which includes health insurance, retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits.