Process Engineer

Position Summary

Utilize process knowledge and expertise to contribute to plant operations and assist in process troubleshooting.  Identify and evaluate process improvements and new technologies.  Implement projects which result in improved process yield, higher capacity, improved operating efficiencies, recognizable cost savings, improved product quality, and new products.  Implement and manage expense and capital projects.

• Provide technical support to plant operations
• Monitor production processes and identify improvement opportunities
• Lead productivity and capability improvement efforts
• Participate in the implementation of capital projects
• Support continuous improvement efforts
• Support new product and process initiatives
• Support customer technical service activities

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Provide technical support to plant operations.  Work closely with operators and production managers on a daily basis to identify opportunities for improvement (quality, yield, capacity, cost reduction).

Monitor and analyze process operations to ensure optimum performance and identify opportunities to reduce energy usage, water consumption or solid waste generation.

Create/update process flow diagrams (PFD’s), piping & instrument diagrams (P&ID’s), equipment specifications, control logic narratives, etc. to ensure proper documentation of production processes and as part of process development activities.

Coordinate Plant trials in support of process optimization and new product development (NPD) activities

Implement and manage expense and capital projects. Prepare project documentation, including: project cost estimate, scope of work, EHS&S reviews, change management documentation and capital appropriations requests.

Work on cross-functional project teams during feasibility, design, construction and commissioning phases of large capital projects to achieve business objectives.

Develop feasibility reports, project scopes, P&ID’s, process flow diagrams, equipment lists (including equipment sizing and design specifications) and preliminary cost estimate for large capital projects.

Provide installation and validation support for capital projects to include mechanical, electrical and operational checkouts of equipment and processes, validation trials, writing operating instructions and training employees.

Work with the HAM Technology department in support of customer technical service and new product development.  Duties will include scale-up of processes, analysis of product performance and management of plant trials.

Responsible for knowledge of the basics of the regulations and laws affecting assigned work areas and working to help ensure that all regulations and laws are followed.  Responsible for bringing all EHS&S incidents or concerns to management for resolution.

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

A 4-year engineering degree at an accredited university (Chemical or Mechanical Engineering degree preferred.)

5+ years of experience in manufacturing. 

Experience in Mineral Processing or Chemical Process Industries strongly preferred.

Experience in unit operations such as particle size reduction, classification, bulk material handling, pneumatic conveying, powder drying, and processing preferred.

AutoCAD experience is a plus.

Six Sigma training and familiarity with statistical analysis software (Minitab) is a plus.

Process control experience and PLC programming knowledge is a plus.

Must work well without direct or constant supervision and adjust to changing priorities.

Ability to work with other people effectively to enlist cooperation and assistance in implementing capital and process improvements.

Must have the ability to manage time and priorities to effectively handle multiple competing projects with tight deadlines and budget requirements.

Excellent communication skills and team skills.

Position may require up to 15% travel.