Process Engineering Lead

Location: Alvin, TX

Contract: Year+

Schedule: 9/80s

PTO: Available

Role Summary

The Process Engineering Lead plays a critical role in developing and executing process designs that align with business and project objectives. This position collaborates with technical, operations, and maintenance teams throughout the Front-End Loading (FEL) phases, ensuring process designs meet safety, efficiency, and economic goals. The role also supports engineering and construction phases through startup.

Key Responsibilities:

FEL 1 – Opportunity Evaluation

• Contribute to monthly engineering reports.
• Develop scope of facilities documents and risk assessments.
• Define process engineering quality management plans and design philosophies.
• Collaborate with the Engineering Manager on specifications and deliverables.
• Identify applicable environmental permits.
• Support engineering contractor evaluations.
• Assist in developing project cost estimates and schedules.

FEL 2 – Selection Phase

• Review and validate Basic Engineering Design Data (BEDD).
• Support the development of the Project Design Basis.
• Ensure process deliverables align with project scope.
• Participate in hazard reviews and optioneering workshops.
• Evaluate engineering contractor proposals and estimates.
• Capture lessons learned for future project phases.

FEL 3+ – Front-End Engineering Development

• Lead process engineering quality assurance for FEL 3+ deliverables.
• Validate scope changes and alternative materials.
• Participate in constructability reviews, risk assessments, and commissioning planning.
• Support contractor selection and value improvement workshops.
• Assist in defining engineering deliverables for execution.

Engineering, Construction & Startup

• Ensure process quality assurance in detailed engineering and construction.
• Review engineering change notifications and field RFIs.
• Support pre-startup safety reviews and commissioning efforts.
• Validate redlines and as-built drawings for accuracy.
• Contribute to startup activities, performance testing, and close-out reports.

Qualifications & Skills

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (required).
• Minimum 10 years of experience in petrochemical, refining, or related industries.
• Experience in capital project execution, including stage-gate processes.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of industry standards (ANSI, API, ASME, NFPA, PIP, OSHA, ISA).
• Proficiency in Aspen+, Hysys, AFT Fathom, Pipenet, EPCON Suite, or similar tools.
• Understanding of process control, boiler feed water treatment, waste treatment, and petrochemical processes.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and calculations.

Preferred Attributes

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and drive decision-making.
• Problem-solving mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.