POSITION SPECIFICATION
Position: Process Engineer III
Department: Industrial, Process & Agribusiness (IPA)
Reporting Relationship: Senior Project Manager, IPA
COMPANY BACKGROUND
KFI Engineers is a recognized industry leader in facility infrastructure design and performance. Since 1996, our culture of collaboration and unique capabilities have allowed us to make a difference in the way infrastructure and processing projects are delivered.
Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, with numerous regional offices throughout the United States, and a team of hundreds of professionals, we offer opportunities to continue your career with mentorship programs, career growth support, and continued education. With KFI, we find a way to provide creative solutions to unique projects while providing the same care we would expect if we were the client. For more information about KFI Engineers and our culture, please visit www.kfi-eng.com.
POSITION OVERVIEW & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Process Engineer III plays a key role in the successful execution of projects by providing strong technical expertise and delivering high‑quality engineering solutions to our customers. This individual ensures a high level of customer satisfaction through clear communication and effective coordination with both internal and external stakeholders. The Process Engineer III will contribute to a collaborative and dynamic team environment by actively leading technical discussions, managing productive meetings, and demonstrating the ability to evaluate multiple ideas or design alternatives and synthesize them into clear recommendations.
This role requires strong attention to detail, agility in adapting to changing project needs, and consistent engagement throughout all phases of project execution. Responsibilities may include time on customer sites to support application of engineering work, verify field conditions, and identify opportunities for process improvement, while also contributing to process documentation and operational best practices. Additionally, the Process Engineer III will begin to support business development efforts through technical input on proposals and participation in customer discussions as needed.
Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Prepares and oversees the development of engineering documents, equipment specifications, and technical deliverables to ensure alignment with project scope, industry codes, and customer expectations.
- Performs and reviews complex engineering calculations, including mass and energy balances, equipment sizing, hydraulic analysis, and process safety evaluations (e.g., relief valve calculations and relief system design).
- Develops and leads the creation of PFDs, P&IDs, control schematics, and other process documentation; ensures integration of vendor processes into overall plant design.
- Conducts field investigations to verify existing conditions, assess equipment layouts, and identify opportunities for process improvements and tie‑ins.
- Coordinates process engineering activities with other engineering disciplines and project team members to ensure cohesive and accurate design execution.
- Provides technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, designers, and subcontractors, and participates in quality reviews of engineering work completed by others.
- Supports estimating efforts and contributes to the development of project scopes, schedules, and budgets; helps ensure work is delivered on time and within defined parameters.
- Participates in construction‑phase support, including responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, and visiting job sites to verify installation quality and provide clarification to contractors.
- Assists the project team with system check‑out, commissioning activities, and start‑up support to ensure successful operational performance.
- Contributes technical content for proposals and occasionally participates in customer calls or meetings to support business development efforts.
- Provides cross‑disciplinary technical support throughout the organization and models collaborative, proactive communication within project teams.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelors’ degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
- Minimum of 7+ years of experience in process engineering within industrial, chemical, biochemical, agri‑business, or manufacturing environments.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the US on a permanent basis without the need for work sponsorship now or in the future.
- Demonstrated proficiency in process and utility system design, including experience with process modeling, mass/energy balances, and equipment sizing.
- Strong skills in process simulation software (e.g., ChemCAD or equivalent).
- Proficiency with hydraulic analysis tools such as AFT Fathom or AFT Arrow.
- Field experience supporting design validation, equipment layout verification, or plant operations.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with others.
- Knowledge of computer technology and specific areas of application , including MS Office.
- Represent the company in a professional matter.
- Travel: May include up to 25% domestic travel.
Preferred
- Professional Engineering Registration or willingness to pursue this designation is desired.
- Experience in chemical processing, fermentation-based processes, biofuels, biochemical, or agri‑business facilities.
- Experience serving as a technical lead on engineering projects.
- Familiarity with instrumentation, controls, and plant automation systems.
- Previous exposure to supervising or mentoring junior engineers or technical staff.
- Experience supporting project management activities such as scoping, scheduling, estimating, or coordinating multidisciplinary design efforts.
- Strong decision-making abilities gained through project execution, field work, or operational support.
Working Conditions
- Some work locations will feature the tough terrain typical of construction sites or require lifting or moving field testing equipment.
CORE BEHAVIORS
Accountable
- Demonstrates persistence in the achievement of goals.
- Acts with a sense of urgency.
- Takes responsibility for own actions.
Business Focus
- Demonstrates agility, adapts well to changes.
- Works well under pressure.
- Meets commitments to internal/external customers.
Project Execution
- Plans projects well, managing last-minute rushes and disruptions.
- Balances Speed and Quality.
- Looks for improvement in our delivery, tools and processes.
- Other duties as assigned.
Demonstrates Respect for Others
- Keeps others adequately informed.
- Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views.
- Adapts communication style and method based on audience and situation.
Team Player
- Balances team and individual responsibilities.
- Shares expertise with others.
- Inspires respect and trust.
Benefits:
At KFI, our comprehensive benefit program provides our employees with the resources to support their health, wellness and financial well-being. Full-Time employees have access to:
- Health, dental and vision insurance coverage
- Virtual health services
- Health Savings Account (HSA) & Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for HDHP enrollees with KFI contributions
- Flexible Spending Account
- 401(k) plan
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Time Off to include Earned Sick and Safe Time in accordance with state laws
- Paid Volunteer Time Off
- Company Paid Holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Bereavement Leave
- Voluntary benefits offered include life, accident, critical illness coverage
Salary Range: $105,500 - $132,000 annually. The final agreed upon compensation is based on individual qualifications, experience, work location, and education. This position is eligible for an annual bonus.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship.
Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans and Disabilities
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- Minimum 7+ years of process engineering experience in industrial, chemical, biochemical, agribusiness, or manufacturing environments
- Legally authorized to work in the United States permanently without current or future sponsorship
- Experience with process and utility system design, process modeling, mass and energy balances, and equipment sizing
- Proficiency with process simulation software such as ChemCAD or equivalent
- Proficiency with hydraulic analysis tools such as AFT Fathom or AFT Arrow
- Field experience supporting design validation, equipment layout verification, or plant operations
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
- Knowledge of computer technology and application software, including Microsoft Office
- Professional and appropriate representation of the company
- Professional Engineering registration or willingness to pursue registration
- Experience in chemical processing, fermentation-based processes, biofuels, biochemical, or agribusiness facilities
- Experience serving as a technical lead on engineering projects
- Familiarity with instrumentation, controls, and plant automation systems
- Experience supervising or mentoring junior engineers or technical staff
- Experience supporting project management activities including scoping, scheduling, estimating, or multidisciplinary coordination
- Strong decision-making abilities developed through project execution, field work, or operational support
What We Do
KFI Engineers is a recognized industry leader in process and facility infrastructure design and performance. We serve clients in the United States, Canada, and Central America and have capabilities not commonly found in traditional engineering firms. In diverse industries ranging from healthcare to education and from manufacturing to refining, managing projects end-to-end gives us a deep understanding of both the engineering and the business end of our work. From identifying obstacles early to designing systems that make sense for your business and actual staffing capabilities, we drive projects to a successful completion for you. Before LEED was part of the conversation, we were creating Minnesota’s first LEED-certified workplace and have continued to refine and test new technologies there ever since. Not just the “latest and greatest,” our clients enjoy fresh ideas that actually work, grounded in real-world experience. KFI is registered and has completed projects in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia. Our offices are located in Minnesota, Arizona, Ohio, Kentucky, North Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, with a team of more than 300 professionals. Additional information is available on our website: www.KFIengineers.com
