Process Engineer

Genesis•Kansas City, KS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Process Engineer supports safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the production unit by providing technical expertise, process optimization, and engineering leadership. This role ensures that plant operations prioritize health, safety, environmental stewardship, and product quality while driving continuous improvement across processes, equipment, and systems. The Process Engineer is responsible for troubleshooting daily production issues, developing and executing improvement initiatives, managing capital projects, sustaining PSM and HS&E programs, and partnering with operations to maintain consistent, high‑quality manufacturing performance. Through these activities, the role strengthens plant reliability, efficiency, compliance, and long‑term operational capability.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemical Engineering OR related chemical, materials, or manufacturing related disciplines.
2-7 years of experience in the chemical manufacturing industry.
Experience in specialty chemicals, catalysts, zeolites, or materials manufacturing is highly beneficial.
Familiarity with chemical unit operations—such as filtration, drying, solids handling, reactors, and thermal processing—is essential.
Prior exposure to Process Safety Management (PSM) –regulated facilities.
Experience working within structured safety, quality, and environmental compliance systems.
Hands-on experience supporting plant operations.
Experience driving process improvements.
Experience managing or assisting with capital projects.
Experience working cross‑functionally with operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams is strongly preferred.
Strong functional knowledge of chemical process operations, including reaction systems, filtration, drying, solids handling, and other unit operations typical of chemical manufacturing.
Ability to analyze process behavior, understand material balances, evaluate equipment performance, and apply engineering fundamentals to improve yields, reliability, and efficiency.
Capability of diagnosing and resolving day‑to‑day production issues using structured problem‑solving methods.
Ability to interpret process data, identify deviations or abnormal conditions, conduct root cause analyses, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
High level of competency in evaluating process performance, including identifying bottlenecks, reducing waste, improving cycle times, and enhancing throughput.
Familiarity with Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and productivity improvement tools.
Understanding and application of Process Safety Management principles, including hazard reviews, Management of Change (MOC), incident investigation, and safe operating procedures.
Knowledge of HS&E regulations, hazardous waste handling, DOT requirements, and site environmental compliance.
Technical competency in quality systems—specifically ISO 9001 processes.
Ability to interpret quality data, reconcile raw material and finished goods inventory, and support site‑wide quality improvement programs.
Ability to scope, plan, and support execution of capital projects.
Ability to develop engineering specifications, prepare cost estimates, coordinate with contractors, support installation and commissioning, and ensure projects meet safety, quality, and operational requirements.
Strong understanding of equipment performance and reliability.
Competency in developing and maintaining clear, accurate process documentation—such as SOPs, operating instructions, and safety procedures.
Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting process data.
Competency with Microsoft Office tools—including Excel for data analysis.
Ability to use plant information systems or process historian tools to monitor performance trends.
Ability to effectively communicate complex technical information in a clear and practical way.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated commitment to health, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Ability to remain composed and analytical when production issues arise.
Ability to handle unexpected challenges without frustration and maintain professionalism in tense situations.
Ability to earn credibility on the production floor, show humility, listen actively, and work alongside operators.
Self-starter mentality, naturally scanning the operation for inefficiencies, risks, or improvement opportunities.
Meticulous in work, especially in documenting procedures, investigating issues, and maintaining compliance systems.
Ability to adapt without losing focus or becoming overwhelmed.
Ability to balance long‑term projects with urgent operational needs.
Ability to communicate clearly, directly, and confidently with operators, leaders, contractors, and cross‑functional teams.
Curiosity and genuine interest in understanding how things work, why they work that way, and what could be improved.
Willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and deepen technical expertise.
Mature, steady, and professional demeanor.
Dependability, reliability, and good judgment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in specialty chemicals, catalysts, zeolites, or materials manufacturing is highly beneficial due to the technical nature of the processes.
Prior exposure to Process Safety Management (PSM) –regulated facilities and experience working within structured safety, quality, and environmental compliance systems.
Hands-on experience supporting plant operations, driving process improvements, managing or assisting with capital projects, and working cross‑functionally with operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and productivity improvement tools is essential for driving continuous improvement initiatives across quality, reliability, and cost efficiency.
Strong understanding of equipment performance and reliability is required to guide investment decisions.
Competency with Microsoft Office tools—including Excel for data analysis—is required, along with the ability to use plant information systems or process historian tools to monitor performance trends.
A steady, levelheaded presence builds trust with operators and supervisors during abnormal events or equipment failures.
A naturally cooperative and relationship‑building personality is essential in a plant where teamwork drives safe and reliable performance.
A curious, questioning attitude—combined with a desire to “make things better than they were yesterday”—is key to driving the plant’s continuous improvement path.
A strong sense of responsibility— “if it’s mine, I take care of it”—is critical in a PSM‑regulated environment.
A flexible and resilient attitude helps them navigate the dynamic rhythm of manufacturing.
A straightforward, transparent communication style fosters trust and reduces operational ambiguity.
A willingness to ask questions, seek feedback, and deepen their technical expertise is essential for long‑term success.
Someone leadership can trust to represent the plant appropriately when supervising operations or making urgent decisions.

Responsibilities

Ensuring that plant operations are carried out with safety, health, and environmental protection as the highest priority.
Monitoring daily activities for potential risks, enforcing HS&E standards, and providing training on hazardous waste handling, universal waste, used oil disposal, and DOT requirements.
Developing, maintaining, and strengthening HS&E systems to support full regulatory compliance.
Leading the development and implementation of Process Safety Management (PSM) elements, supporting HAZOP reviews and Management of Change (MOC) processes, and ensuring operational procedures and documentation aligns with safety regulations and best practices.
Serving as the primary technical resource for diagnosing and resolving daily production challenges.
Analyzing operational deviations, interpreting process data, and responding quickly to issues that impact throughput, product quality, or equipment performance.
Evaluating production processes to identify opportunities for optimization across yield, efficiency, and reliability.
Developing and implementing strategies to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce variability, and improve overall plant operation.
Supporting operators by providing hands‑on troubleshooting guidance during startups, shutdowns, and non‑standard operating conditions.
Driving continuous improvement within the production area.
Participating in ISO 9001:2000 audits, supporting corrective actions for quality deviations, and collaborating with the Quality team to ensure consistent product performance.
Reconciling raw and finished product inventories to support accurate reporting and identifying causes of material loss or variability.
Leading or contributing to productivity initiatives that reduce waste, lower costs, and enhance equipment performance.
Applying Six Sigma or structured problem‑solving tools to improve reliability, stability, and overall production efficiency.
Creating, updating, and maintaining operational documentation, including standard operating procedures, work instructions, and process guidelines.
Ensuring documentation accurately reflects current safety requirements, process conditions, and operational expectations.
Conducting operator training to strengthen technical capability, reinforce safe work practices, and ensure employees fully understand process updates or new equipment.
Identifying, developing, and implementing capital projects that improve plant safety, reliability, and performance.
Preparing project scopes, estimates, and budgets; coordinating with contractors and internal stakeholders; and ensuring that all capital work meets safety and operational standards.
Providing engineering support during installation, commissioning, and startup of new equipment or process systems.
Collaborating closely with the Maintenance team to plan and schedule maintenance activities, ensuring minimal disruption while improving equipment reliability and long‑term performance.
Working collaboratively with operators, maintenance, HS&E, Quality, and the Unit Manager to ensure smooth and efficient daily operations.
Communicating engineering recommendations clearly, enabling informed decision‑making on the production floor.
Coordinating work with external contractors and ensuring their activities align with site safety and operational protocols.
Stepping in to act as Unit Manager when needed, overseeing operations, managing priorities, and ensuring the unit meets production goals.