Process Engineer

We are looking for an experienced and self-motivated individual to fill the position of Process Engineer at our corporate office located in Ludington, MI.

Primary Function

The primary function of this position is providing technical support to study and implement systems, tools, and procedures to optimize the production process. This position will drive continuous improvement by leading plant process analysis, projects, studies, and problem-solving activities.

Essential Functions

• Maintain protection of the environment and the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and/or transport our products as our highest priority.
• Identify, evaluate, develop, specify, justify, install, and start-up process improvements to increase production capacity, improve operating reliability, reduce manufacturing costs, reduce energy usage, conserve raw materials, improve product yields and improve product quality.
• Participate in any opportunity to enhance safety, upgrade environmental safeguards, and provide for the overall optimization of process operation.
• Provide ongoing engineering assistance to operations including troubleshooting of process operating problems, conducting special tests, developing reports, providing technical assistance as required and reporting of production status.
• Provide coordination between the Production, Project, Maintenance and Corporate Engineering Departments regarding capital project implementation including preparation of AFE’s.
• Represent and/or assist production and engineering in matters of evaluation, selection and coordination and control of vendors supplying necessary operating services, consulting services, materials, equipment and other needs of operation.
• Provide assistance to operations including troubleshooting of operating problems, special tests, studies, and assistance with production reporting as required.
• Analyze key process parameters. Generate key process parameters reports periodically on unit operation.
• Assist with the installation and start up of process improvements. Engineering assignments may include energy and material balance studies, process studies, and process equipment specifications and modifications.
• Updates or creates new Operating Discipline Procedures to fill gaps in the Operation’s work process.
• Coach operation’s personnel on process, equipment, engineering topics.
• Understands and applies skills and knowledge in Statistical Process Control (SPC) to maximize plant asset utilization and produce low cost, quality products.
• Provide technical expertise to reduce manufacturing costs and improve product quality.
• Provide assistance in the troubleshooting of DeltaV process control related issues. Read and debug DeltaV code.
• Understand Process Control Narratives.
• Using plant chemistry and operations knowledge, identifies process control improvements that will improve process safety, improve asset utilization, eliminate environmental issues, and increase operating rates.
• Uses Advanced Process Control theory to improve control
• Leads the periodic review of all process control strategies.
• Utilize Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control methodology for successful project completion.
• Lead / Participate in the design and implementation of equipment and process improvements, material of construction improvements, and efficiency and cost control improvements.
• Identify plant improvement and simplification opportunities
• Prepare AFEs for plant capital/expense projects, and follow these projects to a successful completion.
• Perform or assist in Root Cause Analyses.
• Lead, create, and assist Continuous Improvement Teams (i.e. work with Reliability Engineer to resolve equipment (reliability issues).
• Lead efforts to address and resolve customer needs or concerns.
• Identify and implement new cost reduction ideas.
• Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. 

Education/Certification Requirements

 Pre-employment Requirement

      ·BS Degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Environmental Engineering with 3-5 years technically related plant work experience is                            required.

• Strong analytical/problem solving skills.
•      High proficiency in Microsoft applications (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
•      Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work as part of a team
•      Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•      Ability to read, write and speak in English
•      Ability to work weekends, holidays and respond to callouts on a non-routine basis.
•      Post-employment Requirement
•        Advanced Statistical Analysis (i.e. JMP discovery)
•        Evaporation & Drying Technology
•        Understanding steam properties and equipment
•        M&EB Analysis (Heat transfer. Thermodynamics)
• Process piping, pumps, and fluid flow understanding
• Economic assessment of improvement projects
• Calcium Chloride Properties
• SAP Maintenance Work Process
• Basic DCS understanding – Process Control

Physical Requirements

• Climb multiple flights of stairs to access the top of tanks, buildings, and process equipment.
• Work in all types of weather (heat, humidity, sub-zero cold, etc.) 
• Ability to climb multiple flights of stairs with tools weighing 25 lbs.
• Must be able to perform duties requiring standing for extended periods of time.
• Bending and kneeling around process equipment for extended periods.
• Climb multiple flights of stairs, step and extension ladders to access process equipment, working from scaffolding, and working in high places in excess of 100 ft. high.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Ability to work around chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, calcium chloride, magnesium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, lubrication oils, greases, and chemical cleaning agents
• Ability to wear all required PPE.