Sr. Process Engineer - Technology Transfer

SunGas Renewables•HOUSTON, TX

6d•$160,000 - $190,000•Onsite

About The Position

SunGas Renewables Inc. is an energy technology company that converts sustainably sourced biomass into renewable synthesis gas for producing low-carbon fuels and chemicals. The Senior Process Engineer – Technology Transfer transfers SunGas’ technology, design intent, engineering standards, and operating knowledge from its U.S. team to a China-based partner. The role works with engineering partners, EPC contractors, equipment suppliers, and plant personnel to support the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of a project in China using SunGas’ renewable syngas technology. The engineer safeguards SunGas’ design intent and intellectual property while supporting process design, technical reviews, engineering localization, commissioning, startup, performance testing, and troubleshooting. The position calls for close coordination between U.S. and China-based teams to deliver the project safely, reliably, and in accordance with SunGas’ requirements. Professional fluency in spoken Mandarin Chinese and English is essential. This is a full-time, primarily office-based role at SunGas’ Houston office. Travel to China is expected for up to approximately 50% of the time, depending on the project phase.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with at least 10 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree in chemical engineering with at least 8 years of relevant experience.
Native or professional business-level fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English, including written and spoken technical engineering communication.
Demonstrated senior-level process engineering capability in system design, heat and material balances, equipment specification, process integration, PFD/P&ID development, hydraulic and relief-system calculations, process controls, and multidisciplinary project execution.
Experience supporting development, engineering, or deployment of process technologies, with exposure to areas such as process design, commissioning and startup, operational improvement, international technology transfer, technology licensing, or intellectual-property protection.
United States citizenship and legal authorization to work for SunGas without sponsorship.
Ability to travel internationally and work effectively in U.S. and Chinese business environments.
Ability to influence decisions without direct authority, facilitate technical workshops and training, mentor engineers and operators, and present clearly to clients and senior stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with fluidized beds, solids handling, biomass conversion and gasification, steam methane reforming, oxy-combustion, carbon capture, methanation or fuels synthesis, thermal integration, or novel syngas-based process technologies, with willingness to develop expertise in additional areas.
Experience with EPC and systems-engineering workflows from technology-provider and client perspectives, including vendor document review, engineering package development, field support, and plant operations.
Experience developing process design packages, supporting technology licensing and licensed process deployment, or providing technical oversight of licensed technology implementations, including interfaces with licensees, EPC contractors, operating companies, and other technology providers.
Familiarity with AutoCAD, Bluebeam, or comparable tools for reviewing, redlining, and updating P&IDs.
HAZOP, HAZID, project-management, process-control, or plant-operations training.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary technical interface between SunGas’ U.S. engineering team and the China-based project team.
Communicate complex process, safety, and operating concepts across technical, cultural, and organizational boundaries.
Safeguard SunGas’ design intent and intellectual property throughout process design, technical reviews, commissioning, startup, performance testing, and troubleshooting.
Oversee the technical integrity of localized engineering deliverables for China, including translation, unit conversion, and adaptation to applicable Chinese engineering standards and conventions.
Lead technology-transfer activities covering process design packages, engineering standards, operating philosophies and procedures, training materials, technical documentation and knowledge-transfer systems, licensing requirements, and intellectual-property protection protocols.
Review engineering deliverables and technical documentation in Chinese and English for compliance with SunGas process requirements, engineering standards, and design intent; identify risks, close technical gaps, and track corrective actions.
Review process design, including heat and material balances, process design criteria, process modeling, PFDs and P&IDs, equipment sizing and selection, equipment and instrument data sheets, hydraulic analysis, line lists, control-valve sizing, and flare and relief calculations.
Ensure process requirements for equipment and systems are properly defined; review vendor data; coordinate detailed design with mechanical, instrumentation and controls, piping, electrical, and other engineering disciplines; and support vendor qualification and factory acceptance testing.
Lead and participate in technical, operability, constructability, and process safety reviews, including HAZOP and related hazard-analysis activities; maintain peer checks, revision control, and documentation of design inputs.
Work with the China-based partner and interface with Chinese EPC contractors, equipment suppliers, and operating teams to resolve issues and maintain schedule, quality, safety, environmental compliance, and adherence to SunGas requirements.
Provide site support for pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, operator training, performance testing, plant operations, and troubleshooting, including extended assignments in China as project needs require.
Analyze process and operating problems and develop practical actions to improve safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance.
Communicate milestones, risks, opportunities, and recommended decisions to project managers and senior leadership.
Maintain and improve SunGas process design methodologies, procedures, calculation tools, and lessons learned.
Support productive relationships with customers, strategic partners, government agencies, and other project stakeholders in China.