Process Engineer I

Kern Energy is hiring a Process Engineer I who specializes in multiple technologies including Distillation, Hydro-processing, Naphtha Reforming, Cogeneration, Boilers, Sulfur Recovery Units, Amine, Sour Water, and Water Plants. This role involves participation and leadership in baseline activities such as unit health monitoring, mentoring, optimization, problem-solving, and scope development, in addition to supporting planned or unplanned events such as unit emergencies, turnarounds, project startups, and safety reviews. To be successful, this position will also exhibit Kern’s core values of Teamwork, Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Connection. 

Job Function 

• Analyze production processes to identify areas of improvement.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of process engineering principles and industry best practices.
• Maintain knowledge of technology safety standards, and participate in gap assessments and gap closure plans.
• Participate in incident investigations and generate recommendations to prevent future occurrences.
• Design and implement process control systems to ensure quality control standards are met.
• Create and implement process documentation and training materials.
• Monitor production processes and equipment performance, and make recommendations for improvements.
• Support environmental compliance improvement initiatives.
• Conduct and participate in unit health and performance reviews with cross-departmental teams and catalyst and chemical vendors.
• Work with operations and lab to vet and approve changes to lab test schedules and analytical methods.
• Drive energy and CO2 emissions improvements by participating in energy workshops and working with Environmental and Project Engineering.
• Direct support of process activities during TAR execution such as startup/shutdown support, as-found inspections, sampling, catalyst loading, vessel internals, and final closures.
• Provide recommendations for TAR deferral evaluations including unit health assessments.
• Support project commissioning and startup activities.
• Represent the site process engineering team in project design reviews.
• Develop scope proposals and cases for project development.
• Track production performance metrics and analyze data to evaluate process effectiveness.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure process optimization. 

Knowledge Skills

• Demonstrates knowledge and expertise in applying Sulfur Recovery, hydro-processing, distillation, and naphtha reforming.
• Demonstrates application of some Process Engineering and process improvement tools including Process Modeling, Statistical Analysis software, and tools for efforts that affect multiple functional areas.
• Ability to interpret equipment and process drawings such as; P&IDs, PFDs, and piping isometrics.  
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with various concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret various instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Strong technical background in process engineering principles and practices.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of process control systems and process improvement techniques.
• Acts as Subject Matter Expert in Process Engineering roles and/or facilitates process improvement teams.
• Knowledge of process control and statistical process control (SPC) principles and techniques.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn and take on new challenges.

Education/ Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical engineering or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in process engineering in industry or 0-2 refinery process engineering.
• Experience in process design, implementation, and optimization.
• Experience in process improvement initiatives, including RCA, SPC, and lean manufacturing tools and techniques.
• Experience with commercial optimization, process design, and project development.
• Experience building and maintaining process models, engineering tools, data analysis, and developing health monitoring applications.