Process Engineer

Louis Dreyfus Company•Upper Sandusky, OH

25d

About The Position

The Process Engineer serves as a technical resource for improving operating efficiency and supporting plant improvements at an industrial agricultural or food chemical facility. The role works with minimal supervision and collaborates with plant operations, management, regional teams, technical experts, contractors, and suppliers. It applies process design fundamentals, company project-management processes, and cross-disciplinary work practices to provide technical expertise and deliver improvements to the business. The position monitors operational performance and process conditions, analyzes data to identify root causes and improvement opportunities, and develops process-design deliverables and asset-improvement projects. It coordinates engineering and project activities from development and justification through execution and start-up, ensuring designs and projects meet plant needs, safety and regulatory requirements, timelines, and budgets. The role also provides troubleshooting support and helps maintain SHE compliance and safe operating practices. Work is split between an industrial plant and a primarily climate-controlled office environment. The position involves routine visits to operational areas, exposure to varying temperatures and weather, and potential exposure to gases, vapors, dust, odors, flammable liquids, wet floors, and noise. Travel may be required for training and technical conferences. Extensions of regular working hours are occasionally necessary. This is a safety-sensitive position subject to random drug testing, and it does not directly supervise employees.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering; Chemical, Mechanical, Petroleum, Industrial, or Agricultural engineering is specified.
At least 2 years of relevant process-engineering design experience or related industry-specific experience.
Knowledge of applicable government regulations and personnel policies relevant to safe and timely completion of capital projects and process changes.
Knowledge of state and federal safety, health, and environmental regulations.
Understanding of plant processing, oils recovery, grain and milling operations, or biofuels.
Ability to use AutoCAD, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Project.
Ability to use software such as Wonderware, RSLogix, and PowerLogic.
Exposure to plant operations, maintenance, and safety.
Knowledge of industry design codes and government regulations, including NFPA 36, OSHA, and EPA standards and requirements.
Mechanical aptitude and strong problem-solving skills.
Ability to organize and plan effectively while handling multiple assignments.
Effective verbal and written communication skills and ability to work as a team member.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills and a high sense of urgency.
Financial analysis skills and procurement and contract-negotiation skills.
Ability to implement PHA/HAZOP processes.
Tolerance for ambiguity and ability to collaborate with people at all organizational levels.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks to meet strict monthly deadlines; detail orientation and strong organizational and documentation skills.
Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; climb stairs and ladders and work at heights; work in confined spaces and varied temperatures or inclement weather; move manufacturing materials, products, and equipment weighing 50 pounds or more, including bending and lifting; and wear required PPE.
Position is safety-sensitive and subject to random drug testing.

Nice To Haves

Experience and direct involvement in construction and start-up of plant-improvement projects.
Experience working with high-sanitization processes and Clean-In-Place systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain technical knowledge and provide coaching, consulting, and support to plant, site, and regional teams.
Work with operations to track and improve KPIs related to energy, inputs, yield, unit performance, and other site-defined metrics.
Monitor and analyze process conditions related to quality, efficiency, and performance; identify root causes and opportunities for improvement and optimization.
Analyze process data using statistical methods to interpret and justify process conditions.
Ensure process-design deliverables meet plant needs, timelines, and budget expectations.
Ensure process designs are safe, reasonable, and compliant with company standards, SHE requirements, and local codes and standards.
Identify technical challenges and engage plant management, commercial teams, regional colleagues, and technical experts to resolve them.
Demonstrate leadership and work with production teams and the business to drive improvement.
Coordinate plant process-engineering activities and direct or administer external contractors and suppliers as needed.
Participate in process, project, safety, and design reviews, including DHA/PHA/HAZOP, control narratives, cause-and-effect documents, electrical area classification, and process risk assessments.
Coordinate development of scopes of work, heat and material balances, PFDs, P&IDs, process descriptions, equipment lists, operations training, and procedures.
Develop and lead asset-improvement opportunities that help the facility perform its functions more efficiently.
Manage asset-improvement projects from development, approval, and justification through deployment.
Ensure assigned projects meet agreed timelines and budgets with management.
Develop methods for tracking and identifying performance impacts.
Serve as a primary engineering interface for technical issues with operations.
Provide troubleshooting and problem-solving support at the request of plant leadership.
Work with SHE staff to ensure regulatory certifications and compliance for capital and process improvements and normal operating practices.
Maintain working knowledge of applicable SHE policies, rules, and procedures and ensure requirements are followed.
Ensure employees receive required training for their assigned areas, jobs, and tasks before work is assigned.
Maintain an orderly and safe area of responsibility and ensure unsafe conditions are remedied as soon as practicable.
Follow construction completion criteria and construction requirements with the maintenance manager.
Assist local management with project start-up.
Perform additional projects and duties as assigned.
Complete quality work within deadlines, with or without direct supervision; interact professionally and cooperate with colleagues and business associates; and comply with applicable laws and company policies.