Operations Process Support Engineer

Praxair • East Chicago, IN

15h • Hybrid

About The Position

The CCR Operations Engineer provides engineering support for continuous operation of the CAPOC network, which includes pipeline distribution systems for oxygen and nitrogen, nine Air Separation Units (ASUs), two nitrogen liquefiers, a hydrogen liquefier, and associated compression, storage, and backup systems. The engineer is responsible for applying core chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering principles to optimize production, minimize energy consumption, improve argon recovery, and enhance overall equipment reliability. This role requires strong analytical capability, hands‑on operational understanding, and proficiency with distributed control systems and industrial process data.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering.
• 1–2 years of field operations experience in chemical processing, petroleum refining, or air separation.
• Familiarity with ASU processes, cryogenic distillation, rotating equipment, and industrial instrumentation.
• Ability to support onsite equipment diagnostics and operational investigations.
• 10–15%25 travel required.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize large datasets into actionable engineering insights.
• Effective collaboration with operators, technicians, engineers, and management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond rapidly to operational needs.

Nice To Haves

• 3+ years of ASU operations or industrial gas facility experience.
• Competency in troubleshooting compressors, expanders, blowers, pumps, heat exchangers, and adsorption systems.
• Experience with DCS/SCADA control logic, alarm tuning, and control loop optimization.
• Project management experience including scope development, planning, and execution oversight.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily evaluation of ASU and liquefier performance using trend data, power curves, specific energy ratios, and argon recovery metrics.
• Conduct mass and energy balance checks to validate plant operation and verify abnormal system behavior.
• Identify deviations in column performance, HX ΔT profiles, compressor maps, and liquefaction efficiency.
• Develop expert-level understanding of CAPOC SCADA/DCS board operations, including monitoring of pipeline pressures, column differentials, purity analyzers, cryogenic temperatures, and compressor load management.
• Interpret P&IDs, loop sheets, alarm histories, control logic, and interlocks to diagnose automation‑related issues.
• Lead troubleshooting for abnormal operating conditions such as column instability, equipment startup issues such as excessive rotating equipment vibration, contaminated adsorber beds, or off‑spec purity events.
• Support field operations during plant thaws, pipeline maintenance, compressor trips, electrical faults, and cryogenic equipment outages.
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) using engineering methodologies such as 5 Why, FTA, and failure mode analysis.
• Execute small scale cost reduction and/or reliability projects, ensuring safe, on‑time, and on‑budget delivery.
• Develop, revise, and validate Standard Safe Operating Procedures (SSOPs) addressing startups, shutdowns, column transitions, thaw operations, and emergency response actions.
• Ensure SSOPs align with best engineering practices, equipment manufacturer specifications, and process safety requirements.
• Improve alarm management by analyzing nuisance alarms, bad actor tags, and operator alarm loads.
• Recommend changes to alarm setpoints, priorities, suppression logic, and deadbands to improve operator situational awareness.
• Own and execute the EMOC process for CCR-related modifications, including process changes, control logic updates, equipment setpoint adjustments, and pipeline configuration changes.
• Validate changes through engineering calculations, hazard assessments, and functional checks.
• Use historian tools to extract operational datasets and perform statistical analysis to identify performance degradation, optimization opportunities, and cost-reduction projects.
• Support monthly billing through verification of flowmeter integrity, calibration compliance, and data reconciliation.
• Maintain strict adherence to PSM requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, confined space entry, and QA/QC standards.
• Participate in safety reviews, HAZOPs, and MOC hazard evaluations.
• Lead defined productivity initiatives related to energy reduction, yield improvement, compressor efficiency, reliability enhancement, or automation improvements.
• Track performance metrics and report progress to leadership.

Benefits

• Linde Gases US offers competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package.
• Enjoy access to health, dental, disability, and life insurance, paid holidays and vacation, 401(k) matching, pension benefits, an employee discount program, and opportunities for educational and professional growth.
• Additional compensation may vary depending on the position and organizational level.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level