The Plant Process Engineer owns the performance of the Van Wert renewable chemical process - keeping it safe, reliable and efficient while leading the projects that grow it. You will split your time between the control room, the plant floor and your desk: analyzing process data, troubleshooting equipment, and taking improvement and capital projects from concept through installation and startup.
The ideal candidate is a degreed chemical engineer who is hands-on, comfortable in a continuous-process manufacturing environment, and as at ease with a wrench-turning crew as with a P&ID or a mass balance.
We move quickly on strong candidates. You'll first hear from Talent Acquisition, followed by a personal interview with the Hiring Manager.
Key ResponsibilitiesProcess performance and optimization- Monitor daily unit performance (yield, throughput, product quality, energy and raw material usage) and drive corrective action when KPIs drift.
- Develop and maintain heat and material balances, process models and operating envelopes for key unit operations (reaction, separation, distillation, filtration, heat transfer).
- Lead root cause analysis on yield losses, off-spec product and recurring equipment issues using structured methods (5-Why, fishbone, RCA).
- Identify and implement continuous improvement projects that reduce cost per pound, increase capacity and cut waste and emissions.
Troubleshooting and operations support- Serve as the first technical responder for process upsets; diagnose problems on the floor alongside operators and maintenance.
- Write and update standard operating procedures, operating limits and startup/shutdown procedures.
- Train operators on process fundamentals, new equipment and procedure changes.
- Provide on-call support for startups, shutdowns, turnarounds and off-hours upsets.
Projects, design and installation- Scope, justify and execute capital and expense projects: estimates, ROI, schedules and vendor selection.
- Size and specify process equipment (pumps, heat exchangers, vessels, piping, instrumentation) using standard engineering calculations for capacity, flow rate, pressure drop, power and thermal load.
- Create and maintain P&IDs, PFDs, layouts, schematics and as-built drawings; check vendor and contractor drawings for accuracy.
- Create and maintain equipment data sheets, specifications and fabrication/assembly documents.
- Coordinate plans, details and specifications with vendors, contractors and internal maintenance; oversee installation, commissioning and startup.
Safety, environmental and compliance- Own Management of Change (MOC) for process modifications and participate in PHA/HAZOP and pre-startup safety reviews.
- Support Process Safety Management (PSM), OSHA and EPA/Ohio EPA requirements, including air and water permit compliance and reporting.
- Champion a strong safety culture through incident investigations, job safety analyses and audits.
Data and collaboration- Use historian, DCS/PLC and lab data to build trend analyses and performance reports for plant leadership.
- Work with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS and corporate engineering on reliability, quality and product development initiatives.
- Support scale-up and trials of new products or feedstocks within the Renewable Chemical Division.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (or a closely related engineering discipline).
- 5-7 years of engineering experience in a chemical, refining, biofuels or other continuous-process manufacturing plant.
- At least 3 years leading process improvement projects with measurable results.
- Working knowledge of unit operations, heat and material balances, and equipment sizing calculations.
- Ability to read, create and redline P&IDs, PFDs and engineering drawings; proficiency with AutoCAD or similar drafting software.
- Experience with MOC, PHA/HAZOP and OSHA PSM requirements.
- Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills and willingness to spend significant time on the plant floor.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis.
- Authorization to work in the United States.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in renewable chemicals, biofuels, oleochemicals or bio-based processing.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or EIT certification.
- Experience with process simulation (Aspen Plus/HYSYS, CHEMCAD) and plant historians (e.g., PI).
- Familiarity with DCS/PLC control systems and control loop tuning.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.
- Project management experience with capital projects over $250K.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements- Split between office and an operating chemical plant, with exposure to noise, heat, cold, dust and process chemicals.
- Required PPE includes FR clothing, safety glasses, hard hat, steel-toe boots and hearing protection; respirator use may be required.
- Must be able to climb stairs and ladders, work at heights, enter confined spaces (with permit), and lift up to 50 lbs.
- Occasional evening, weekend and holiday work during startups, turnarounds and upsets.
- Limited travel (under 10%) to vendors, sister sites or training.
