Principal Process Engineer

Kent•Houston, TX

8h•Onsite

About The Position

About the job: Kent is looking for a Senior Process Engineer to be based in our Houston, TX office and support regional project site(s). To provide engineering and process optimization support on developing sustainable synthetic fuels and chemicals production facilities including liaison with leading technology and engineering solution providers. To evaluate processes to optimize production capability and review the technical environments to meet business needs. Skills and Responsibilities: Responsibilities: Lead process engineering execution for assigned projects or programs, with accountability for technical quality, schedule, and budget performance across pre-FEED, FEED, detailed design, and EPC phases. Serve as the primary process engineering focal point for project management and client leadership, aligning technical execution with project objectives and client expectations. Perform and technically own critical process engineering deliverables, including development, review, and approval of: Design Basis / Design Criteria Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Heat & Material Balances Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) Hydraulic and line sizing calculations Relief valve contingency analysis and sizing calculations Relief system load summaries Equipment and instrument datasheets Process Control Narratives Lead process engineering teams, setting technical direction, prioritizing work, and providing oversight across multiple engineers and scopes; mentor and develop engineers while maintaining accountability for deliverable quality and consistency. Plan and manage process engineering scope, including development of manhour estimates, staffing plans, and input to project schedules; monitor performance and maintain alignment with project objectives. Contribute to proposal development and project positioning, including scope definition, technical input, and basis of estimate development; identify and pursue opportunities for follow-on work with existing and new clients. Interface directly with clients, owner/operators, and third parties to define scope, resolve technical issues, and support decision-making throughout project execution; build and maintain client relationships at the working and project leadership level. Lead P&ID reviews and design workshops; participate in HAZOPs and technical review meetings, ensuring actions are resolved and incorporated into the design. Drive multi-discipline coordination with piping, mechanical, I&C, electrical, and CSA teams, ensuring process intent is properly translated into design deliverables. Coordinate execution across multiple offices and engineering centers, effectively utilizing distributed resources while maintaining consistency in technical quality and delivery expectations. Review and challenge engineering designs from an owner/operator perspective, identifying risks related to process safety, operability, maintainability, constructability, and long-term reliability. Oversee process simulations and design calculations, ensuring appropriate application and validation of results. Support vendor and package activities, including technical bid evaluations, vendor document reviews, and resolution of technical queries. Provide field support as required, including site visits, walkdowns, constructability reviews, commissioning, and start-up support. Identify and communicate scope changes, technical risks, and potential impacts to cost and schedule; support development of mitigation strategies with project leadership. Support and contribute to project risk identification, assessment, and mitigation activities, including participation in risk workshops and integration of lessons learned into project execution. Support brownfield project execution, including tie-in definition, battery limits, and coordination with operating facilities. Contribute to development and standardization of process engineering work practices, tools, and procedures to improve consistency and efficiency across projects and offices. Apply sound engineering judgment to balance technical rigor with practical execution, delivering solutions that are safe, operable, and constructible. Ensure all work is executed in accordance with applicable company, client, and regulatory requirements, with a strong focus on safety and quality. In addition to the responsibilities listed herein, the employee may be required to perform other ad hoc tasks as needed or directed by the supervisor or management. These tasks will be within the reasonable scope of the employee's skills, capabilities, and role within the organization. The intent of this provision is to allow for flexibility and adaptability in meeting the dynamic needs of the organization, ensuring that operational requirements can be met efficiently. All such tasks will be assigned considering the employee's current workload and with respect to their professional development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering.
25 plus years of progressive process engineering experience in refining, petrochemical, chemical, or related process industries, with demonstrated responsibility for project delivery.
Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.), preferably in Texas.
Extensive experience executing FEL-2 and FEL-3 studies, with demonstrated involvement in detailed design and EPC project phases.
Demonstrated experience leading process engineering scope on projects ranging from small brownfield modifications to large-scale, multi-billion-dollar developments, including responsibility for staffing, scheduling, and delivery performance.
Proven experience working directly with clients and owner/operators, including leading technical discussions, supporting project development, and maintaining long-term client relationships.
Experience supporting both traditional hydrocarbon processing and emerging or developing process technologies, including projects involving alternative feedstocks, syngas, or similar process systems.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate work across multiple offices and engineering centers, including international execution environments.
Experience supporting and contributing to project risk identification, assessment, and mitigation activities, including participation in risk workshops and integration of lessons learned into project execution.
Strong command of process simulation tools and their application in process design and evaluation.
Experience supporting process design involving solids handling and conveying systems.
Experience supporting field execution, including constructability reviews, commissioning, or start-up activities.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, mentor engineers, and contribute to development and standardization of engineering procedures, tools, and work practices.
Strong analytical capability and engineering judgment, with the ability to resolve complex or ambiguous technical challenges.
Commitment to safety, quality, and ethical engineering practices in alignment with company, client, and regulatory requirements.
Communicates clearly and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, across a range of audiences including clients, owner/operator representatives, project management, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Presents technical information, issues, and recommendations in a clear, structured, and professional manner, tailored to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead process engineering execution for assigned projects or programs, with accountability for technical quality, schedule, and budget performance across pre-FEED, FEED, detailed design, and EPC phases.
Serve as the primary process engineering focal point for project management and client leadership, aligning technical execution with project objectives and client expectations.
Perform and technically own critical process engineering deliverables, including development, review, and approval of: Design Basis / Design Criteria Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Heat & Material Balances Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) Hydraulic and line sizing calculations Relief valve contingency analysis and sizing calculations Relief system load summaries Equipment and instrument datasheets Process Control Narratives
Lead process engineering teams, setting technical direction, prioritizing work, and providing oversight across multiple engineers and scopes; mentor and develop engineers while maintaining accountability for deliverable quality and consistency.
Plan and manage process engineering scope, including development of manhour estimates, staffing plans, and input to project schedules; monitor performance and maintain alignment with project objectives.
Contribute to proposal development and project positioning, including scope definition, technical input, and basis of estimate development; identify and pursue opportunities for follow-on work with existing and new clients.
Interface directly with clients, owner/operators, and third parties to define scope, resolve technical issues, and support decision-making throughout project execution; build and maintain client relationships at the working and project leadership level.
Lead P&ID reviews and design workshops; participate in HAZOPs and technical review meetings, ensuring actions are resolved and incorporated into the design.
Drive multi-discipline coordination with piping, mechanical, I&C, electrical, and CSA teams, ensuring process intent is properly translated into design deliverables.
Coordinate execution across multiple offices and engineering centers, effectively utilizing distributed resources while maintaining consistency in technical quality and delivery expectations.
Review and challenge engineering designs from an owner/operator perspective, identifying risks related to process safety, operability, maintainability, constructability, and long-term reliability.
Oversee process simulations and design calculations, ensuring appropriate application and validation of results.
Support vendor and package activities, including technical bid evaluations, vendor document reviews, and resolution of technical queries.
Provide field support as required, including site visits, walkdowns, constructability reviews, commissioning, and start-up support.
Identify and communicate scope changes, technical risks, and potential impacts to cost and schedule; support development of mitigation strategies with project leadership.
Support and contribute to project risk identification, assessment, and mitigation activities, including participation in risk workshops and integration of lessons learned into project execution.
Support brownfield project execution, including tie-in definition, battery limits, and coordination with operating facilities.
Contribute to development and standardization of process engineering work practices, tools, and procedures to improve consistency and efficiency across projects and offices.
Apply sound engineering judgment to balance technical rigor with practical execution, delivering solutions that are safe, operable, and constructible.
Ensure all work is executed in accordance with applicable company, client, and regulatory requirements, with a strong focus on safety and quality.