Senior Process Engineer

About the role

The Senior Process Engineer provides technical support for refinery operations, including unit monitoring, daily troubleshooting, operations support, process optimization, and development of small capital projects or modifications to existing units.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operational performance and optimization to ensure safe operations and compliance with regulatory, commercial, and logistical requirements.
• Monitor catalyst health and proactively report catalyst performance and end-of-run projections; collaborate with catalyst suppliers as needed.
• Identify opportunities for improvement, both proactively and reactively.
• Participate in alarm rationalization (AOA).
• Inspect field equipment installation according to design and fabricator’s specifications during unit outages and upgrades.
• Inspect vessel internals for proper installation and component tolerances.
• Work with engineering and operations personnel to troubleshoot process upsets and provide feedback on RCA reports.
• Collaborate with vendors, licensors, and contractors to support debottlenecking, optimization, and troubleshooting to maintain safe and reliable operations.
• Provide operational technical support during test runs, commissioning, startups, and shutdowns.
• Monitor daily process indicators and communicate performance, optimization opportunities, and environmental performance.
• Engage daily with field and board/console operators.
• Assist troubleshooting efforts related to upsets, product quality incidents, and meeting production plans.
• Provide after-hours support when appropriate, including emergency call-outs.
• Utilize Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in routine reporting, including WABT curve, fouling, chemical and catalyst budgets, and yields.
• Manage catalyst performance and coordinate catalyst change timing.
• Develop justification and work scope for turnaround (T/A) and routine maintenance, such as catalyst changeout, exchanger cleaning, and furnace pigging.
• Publish technical recommendation memos and turnaround reports.
• Support T/A with potential extended work schedules and/or night shifts as appropriate.
• Support and review operations procedures for start-up and shutdown.
• Review and approve vendor chemical programs.
• Provide process engineering support for small to medium capital projects.
• Lead and participate in the Management of Change (MOC) process and hazard reviews (What-Ifs, HAZOPs); support Process Safety Information (PSI) and troubleshooting.
• Support unit operation within environmental limits and perform environmental calculations (e.g., leaks, maximum intended inventory).
• Lead investigations for process-related events.
• Maintain current work lists with priorities.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills and resourcefulness.
• 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 delegate 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 in Chemical Engineering required.
• MS and/or PhD in Engineering, preferably Chemical, preferred.
• 10+ years of process engineering operations support experience in petrochemical, refining, and/or renewable fuels processing.
• 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.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform repetitive movements over long periods of time.
• Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching.
• Ability to lift, position, push, and/or transfer equipment and materials.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and wear self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Ability to climb ladders and/or stairs on tanks, vessels, and structures; wear a respirator; work around equipment containing high pressures and temperatures and various chemicals.