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).
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $100,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
Application Question(s):
- How many years of experience do you have in process engineering within chemical manufacturing, petrochemical, refining, or another complex process manufacturing environment?
Education:
Experience:
- chemical process engineering : 8 years (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Erie, PA 16546: Relocate with an employer provided relocation package (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
