Senior Process Engineer

Kent•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering.
7–15+ years of progressive process engineering experience in refining, chemicals, energy transition, or related industries.
Demonstrated exposure to multiple project phases, including pre-FEED, FEED, detailed design, and execution, with an understanding of how engineering decisions evolve across the project lifecycle.
Strong foundational knowledge of process engineering principles, including mass and energy balances, fluid flow, equipment behavior, and process control concepts.
Working knowledge of process simulation tools (e.g., Aspen HYSYS or equivalent) and standard engineering software and document management systems.
Understanding of process safety and risk management concepts, including HAZOPs, Management of Change (MOC), and safe design practices.
Ability to operate effectively in both office and site-based environments, with awareness of construction, commissioning, and operational constraints.
Demonstrated client-facing and stakeholder engagement capability, with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-specialist and multidisciplinary audiences.
Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate incomplete information and apply sound engineering judgment.
Capability to plan and manage work, including estimating effort, supporting schedules, and tracking progress.
Ability to review technical work critically and provide direction or feedback to other engineers when required.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation abilities.
Willingness to take ownership of personal development and maintain technical competency aligned with business and project needs.
Professional commitment to engineering ethics, safety, and compliance with applicable company, client, and regulatory requirements.
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with a range of audiences including clients, owner/operator representatives, project management, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Ability to present technical information and recommendations in a clear, structured, and professional manner, tailored to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Comply with all Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment, and Quality (HSSEQ) requirements of the Company, its clients, and applicable regulatory authorities.
Actively promote a strong safety and quality culture, ensuring that HSSEQ considerations are integrated into engineering decisions and day-to-day work.
Identify and escalate HSSEQ risks or concerns in a timely manner and support the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.

Responsibilities

Execute and oversee process engineering activities across pre-FEED, FEED, detailed design, and EPC phases, supporting both greenfield and brownfield projects.
Perform and technically own hands-on process engineering work, including development, review, and approval of key deliverables such as: Design Basis or Design Criteria documents, Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Heat and Material Balances, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), Hydraulic and line sizing calculations, Process datasheets, including equipment and instrument datasheets, Operating and control narratives
Perform or oversee process simulations and design calculations using industry-standard tools (e.g., Aspen HYSYS or equivalent).
Participate in and support HAZOPs, safety reviews, and Management of Change (MOC) processes, including evaluation of technical risk, operability impacts, and required design updates.
Act as Lead Process Engineer for assigned project, unit(s), or scopes of work, providing technical direction, coordinating deliverables, and supervising the work of assigned engineers.
Serve as a client-facing technical representative, leading or participating in P&ID reviews, design workshops, and technical review meetings with clients and third parties.
Interface directly with operations, maintenance, and owner/operator representatives, ensuring that process designs reflect operating practices, maintenance requirements, and facility constraints.
Review engineering designs from an operations and owner/operator perspective, identifying risks related to safety, operability, maintainability, constructability, and long-term reliability.
Provide process engineering field support, including site visits, walkdowns, constructability reviews, commissioning and start-up support as required by project scope.
Support execution of brownfield modifications, including development of tie-in lists, battery limit definitions, utility summaries, and coordination with operating units.
Coordinate process engineering interfaces with multi-discipline teams (mechanical, piping, instrumentation, electrical, civil, construction, and commissioning), including geographically distributed offices.
Support vendor and package activities, including technical bid evaluations, vendor document reviews, and resolution of technical queries.
Prepare or provide input to manhour estimates, engineering schedules, and periodic progress updates, supporting project planning, forecasting, and execution control.
Identify deviations from project scope, proposal, or design basis and communicate technical, cost, and schedule impacts to project leadership in a timely manner.
Develop, review, or provide technical input to engineering procedures, guidelines, and work instructions, supporting consistent execution and continuous improvement.
Apply sound engineering judgment to balance engineering rigor with practical field and operational realities, delivering safe, operable, and constructible solutions.
Ensure all engineering and design work performed meets applicable quality, cost and schedule requirements.
Ensure all design work is safe and carried out in a safe manner, in accordance with applicable company, client, and regulatory requirements.
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.