Process Engineer

Process Engineer

The Process Engineer supports safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of chemical manufacturing processes by providing technical expertise, process design, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role focuses on optimizing existing operations, scaling up new products from development to production, and ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements. The Process Engineer collaborates closely with operations, maintenance, and other engineering staff to enhance process performance, reduce costs, and maintain high product quality.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate prompt, regular, and dependable attendance as an essential function of the role.
• Take responsibility for the technical and economic aspects of process unit operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance.
• Provide technical support for the maintenance and operation of existing equipment to maximize uptime and reliability.
• Improve existing processes and equipment to achieve more efficient and cost-effective operation.
• Design and document chemical processes required for the development of improved products.
• Coordinate process development efforts with colleagues and leadership to meet project and organizational objectives.
• Select appropriate equipment required for the development of new products.
• Design and document efficient and cost-effective processes and select equipment required for the scale-up of new products from development to full production.
• Write operating procedures and provide training for the safe operation of new equipment.
• Select equipment and control devices to enhance process control and operational stability.
• Perform leadership duties on selected projects, including planning, coordinating activities, and reporting progress.
• Supervise technicians as required, providing guidance and direction to support project and operational goals.
• Maintain awareness of modern technologies and report on relevant developments that may improve operations.
• Perform tasks assigned by the department manager that support achievement of departmental objectives.
• Direct and manage coordination between engineering and production to maximize equipment uptime and ensure high-quality production in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
• Promote and maintain a proactive, positive attitude within the engineering and maintenance teams.
• Reinforce management's commitment to addressing both short- and long-term engineering and maintenance concerns.
• Provide engineering and maintenance services to operations as required to support continuous and reliable production.
• Establish and implement engineering and maintenance cost-saving techniques to improve overall efficiency.
• Maintain a safe and environmentally sound working environment in all assigned areas.
• Manage objectives within established fiscal budget constraints.
• Evaluate departmental performance, set goals, and establish priorities to support plant objectives.
• Interface with other engineers, leadership, and cross-functional teams in group meetings as required.
• Assist in ensuring adherence to requirements of regulatory agencies and applicable regulatory programs.
• Work to reduce maintenance, material, and repair costs relative to budget when possible.
• Assist with the design and operation of equipment to minimize environmental releases and emissions.
• Adhere to budget objectives and actively seek savings in material and labor costs.
• Support plant goals and objectives on an overall basis through effective engineering practices.
• Maintain continuous communication with other members of management to ensure alignment and timely information sharing.
• Provide engineering assistance to plants by troubleshooting process issues and designing improvements to optimize operations and reduce costs.
• Maintain schedules and reduce costs of design changes by specifying equipment, assisting with procurement, and collaborating with outside contractors on installation of new equipment and systems.
• Develop detailed knowledge of the chemicals used in assigned areas, including physical properties and safe handling requirements.
• Provide technical service to assigned units through daily monitoring of unit operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality, reduce costs, enhance safety, and lower emissions, and present recommendations with technical justification to the unit team.
• Develop and conduct tests and evaluate results for proposed operating changes aimed at improving product quality, increasing production capacity, or reducing operating costs.
• Develop in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of assigned process areas.
• Investigate the operating and economic feasibility of implementing modern technology, safety and operability recommendations, and planned capacity changes.
• Collaborate closely with the unit team to prepare annual control budgets, operating reviews, and economic studies to evaluate proposed operating programs.
• Provide technical support to Process Safety Management (PSM), Risk Management Program (RMP), and other regulatory programs.
• Investigate production, safety, environmental, or quality issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Perform additional assignments as deemed necessary by management to support operational and strategic goals.

Essential Skills:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Experience in a production or manufacturing environment, preferably within chemical processing.
• Experience with distillation processes in a chemical manufacturing environment (preferred).
• Experience with process improvement in a manufacturing setting.
• Knowledge of chemical process design, operation, and optimization.
• Experience with extrusion processes and manufacturing utilities maintenance (as applicable to assigned area).
• Ability to provide technical service to assigned units through daily monitoring of unit operations.
• Ability to identify and implement improvements in quality, cost, safety, and emissions.
• Ability to develop and conduct tests and evaluate results for proposed operating changes.
• Strong analytical skills to investigate operating and economic feasibility of process changes and new technologies.
• Ability to collaborate with unit teams to prepare budgets, operating reviews, and economic evaluations.
• Knowledge of and ability to support PSM, RMP, and other regulatory programs.
• Ability to investigate and resolve production, safety, environmental, and quality issues.
• Strong communication skills to present recommendations with technical substantiation and maintain continuous dialogue with management and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to supervise technicians and lead selected projects, including planning and coordination.
• Capability to develop detailed knowledge of chemical properties and safe handling practices in assigned areas.
• Commitment to safe, environmentally responsible operations and adherence to established safety protocols.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Distillation process experience in a chemical manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Experience with extrusion processes and manufacturing utilities maintenance is beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment with operations, maintenance, and engineering staff.
• Experience preparing and managing control budgets, operating reviews, and economic studies.
• Familiarity with modern process technologies and an interest in staying current with industry developments.
• Ability to work effectively across different cultural contexts, including Japanese and American cultural environments.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to set goals, establish priorities, and manage multiple assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and implement cost-saving techniques in engineering and maintenance.
• Experience collaborating with outside contractors for equipment installation and system upgrades.
• Eligibility for internal candidates may require a minimum of six months in current position, where applicable.

Work Environment:

This role is based in an industrial chemical manufacturing environment and requires regular presence in production areas. The Process Engineer works closely with operations, maintenance, and other engineering personnel and must be comfortable navigating the facility, including climbing stairs, moving between process units, and remaining mobile throughout shifts. The position may occasionally require extended or off-hour work to support operational needs, troubleshooting activities, or project implementation. The work environment emphasizes strict adherence to safety protocols, environmental responsibility, and high-quality production standards. The organization supports a team-oriented culture that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and long-term professional growth, complemented by competitive compensation, comprehensive health benefits, paid vacation and holidays, a retirement plan, and bonus eligibility.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Decatur, AL.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $40.87 - $50.96/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness