Senior Chemical Engineer, Process Optimization

Job Description

Job Description

Are you an experienced Chemical Process Engineer who enjoys solving complex plant problems, optimizing process performance, and seeing your recommendations translate into measurable operational results?

Hire Horizons is partnering with a long-established industrial manufacturer in Northwestern Pennsylvania that is expanding its engineering organization. We are seeking a Senior Chemical Engineer, Process Optimization to provide technical expertise and hands-on engineering support across process optimization, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, operational improvement, and capital initiatives.

This is a newly created, direct-hire position resulting from continued investment in engineering resources and technical depth, offering significant cross-functional visibility and the opportunity to make a measurable impact on plant performance.

The company is open to considering candidates ranging from an experienced Chemical Process Engineer to a highly accomplished engineer capable of contributing at the Chief Engineer level. The position offers a $100K-$200K base salary plus 10%-20% annual bonus potential, with compensation and level aligned to experience. Additional benefits include an ESOP, 401(k) match, comprehensive benefits, an optional 9/80 work schedule, and relocation assistance.

Essential Job Functions:

• Monitor and evaluate chemical process performance to identify opportunities to improve throughput, yield, product quality, efficiency, reliability, and operating cost.
• Troubleshoot process deviations, operational challenges, equipment-related issues, and other performance concerns using process data, engineering principles, and field observations.
• Lead or provide technical expertise during root cause investigations and develop practical recommendations to prevent recurrence.
• Identify process bottlenecks and develop engineering solutions that improve operating performance, safety, and profitability.
• Build productive relationships with operators, superintendents, Operations, Maintenance, EHS, Engineering, and other stakeholders to troubleshoot plant challenges and implement sustainable solutions.
• Evaluate potential process modifications and improvement opportunities using sound technical and economic analysis.
• Provide engineering support for capital projects, including technical evaluation, process design, equipment specifications, project development, and implementation.
• Participate in Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Process Safety Management (PSM), and other process-safety activities.
• Support startups, shutdowns, turnarounds, and significant operational events as needed.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, operating procedures, technical standards, calculations, and other process information.
• Use process simulation and other engineering tools to evaluate operating conditions, troubleshoot problems, and assess improvement opportunities.
• Participate in continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations with a high degree of independence based on experience and position level.

Qualifications for this role include:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of chemical process engineering experience within chemical manufacturing, petrochemical, refining, or another complex process manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of chemical processes, industrial process equipment, and plant operating systems.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting process and operating problems in a manufacturing or processing environment.
• Experience identifying and implementing process optimization, debottlenecking, yield improvement, efficiency, or cost-reduction opportunities.
• Working knowledge of Process Safety Management principles and experience participating in MOCs, PHAs, or related process-safety activities.
• Experience conducting or participating in root cause investigations.
• Experience using process simulation/modeling software to evaluate process performance, troubleshoot operating issues, or assess optimization opportunities.
• Capital project experience ranging from technical evaluation and design through implementation is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with plant operators and translate engineering analysis and findings into practical, actionable recommendations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build credibility with operators, plant leadership, and cross-functional technical teams.
• Hands-on approach and willingness to spend time in the operating environment to understand problems firsthand.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound technical judgment, and manage multiple priorities.
• Maintains a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Willingness to relocate to Northwestern Pennsylvania for an on-site position; relocation assistance is available.

Our client is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

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