NZ - Process Engineer

Kovalus Separation Solutions, Inc.; Nelson; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

KOVALUS Separation Solutions, Inc. seeks a Process Engineer to apply process engineering principles to design, analyze, optimize, and support food and dairy processing systems, with emphasis on membrane filtration projects from conceptual design through commissioning and startup.

You will collaborate with customers, sales, project management, automation, manufacturing and field teams. The role requires 4+ years in the sanitary dairy process industry, familiarity with 3-A/ASME/USDA standards, and

Qualifications

• Must have 4+ years’ experience in the sanitary dairy process industry and a working knowledge of membrane filtration systems or liquid processing.
• Familiarity with industry standards (3-A, ASME, USDA).
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong teamwork skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Collect and analyze data to support the optimization and improvement of customers’ existing process lines
• Support quotation proposals with technical input, equipment sizing estimations, high level process flow diagrams (PFDs), process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
• Utilize historical cost data to support and enhance cost estimation tools while proposing continuous cost-reduction improvements
• Assist sales team with on-site and remote customer meetings for process solutions presentations and discussions
• Develop technically detailed mass and energy balance calculations for process systems, covering water, heat, and cooling utilities.
• Prepare technical documentation including complete P&IDs, process descriptions, and specifications for use in project execution
• Contribute to computational tools through data collection, analysis, and excel oriented skills
• Support projects from conceptual design phase to final execution at customer sites
• Prepare functional description for automation team and lead factory acceptance testing (FAT)
• Partner closely with project and automation engineers to identify and resolve technical, mechanical, and control system issues
• Execute commissioning, startup, and performance verification of filtration systems
• Ensure system performance meets project requirements for capacity, yield, and key process variables
• Prepare SOP manual and train operators & customer technical teams
• Document lessons learned and provide feedback for future project improvement
• Analyze operational data to improve efficiency, reliability, and product quality
• Identify and resolve process and equipment issues to enhance productivity through root cause analysis and effective corrective actions
• Support standardization and best engineering practices
• Assist after-sales team and customers with inquiries, issues, warranties, upgrades as needed
• On request, give technological support and advice to coworkers in the organization and/or customer’s organization
• Attend relevant continuing education classes (i.e. university classes, equipment training)
• Attend industry events (e.g. Cheese Con, WCMA events)
• Other projects as assigned by supervisor

Skills

Membrane filtration

Sanitary dairy processing

Project management

Analytical reasoning

Communication

Team collaboration

Industry standards (3-A/ASME/USDA)

Excel

Tools

Excel

Job description

This position will apply process engineering principles to design, analyze, optimize, and support food and dairy processing systems. The role supports membrane filtration projects from conceptual design through commissioning and startup, working closely with customers, sales, project management, automation, manufacturing, and field teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collect and analyze data to support the optimization and improvement of customers’ existing process lines
• Support quotation proposals with technical input, equipment sizing estimations, high level process flow diagrams (PFDs), process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
• Utilize historical cost data to support and enhance cost estimation tools while proposing continuous cost-reduction improvements
• Assist sales team with on-site and remote customer meetings for process solutions presentations and discussions

Process Design and Engineering:

• Develop technically detailed mass and energy balance calculations for process systems, covering water, heat, and cooling utilities.
• Prepare technical documentation including complete P&IDs, process descriptions, and specifications for use in project execution
• Contribute to computational tools through data collection, analysis, and excel oriented skills

Project Support and Execution

• Support projects from conceptual design phase to final execution at customer sites
• Prepare functional description for automation team and lead factory acceptance testing (FAT)
• Partner closely with project and automation engineers to identify and resolve technical, mechanical, and control system issues
• Execute commissioning, startup, and performance verification of filtration systems
• Ensure system performance meets project requirements for capacity, yield, and key process variables
• Prepare SOP manual and train operators & customer technical teams
• Document lessons learned and provide feedback for future project improvement

Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement

• Analyze operational data to improve efficiency, reliability, and product quality
• Identify and resolve process and equipment issues to enhance productivity through root cause analysis and effective corrective actions
• Support standardization and best engineering practices

Other Duties

• Assist after-sales team and customers with inquiries, issues, warranties, upgrades as needed
• On request, give technological support and advice to coworkers in the organization and/or customer’s organization
• Attend relevant continuing education classes (i.e. university classes, equipment training)
• Attend industry events (e.g. Cheese Con, WCMA events)
• Other projects as assigned by supervisor

TRAVEL:

• Anticipate 35% travel, including client site visits during pre-sales, project kick off, occasional visit during installation as needed, commissioning, periodic trade shows. Potential for international travel 1-2 times per year.

SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have 4+ years’ experience in the sanitary dairy process industry and a working knowledge of membrane filtration systems or liquid processing
• Familiarity with industry standards (3-A, ASME, USDA)
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong teamwork skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams

KOVALUES:

• CUSTOMER FOCUS : Our decisions and actions are aligned with client needs, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty.
• INTEGRITY & COMPLIANCE: Establishes trust and credibility, ensuring that actions and communications are transparent and ethical. Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
• TEAMWORK: Foster collaboration and efficiency, leading to innovative solutions and a supportive work environment.
• HUMILITY & RESPECT: Build a positive culture by valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a respectful workplace.
• ENTREPRENEURIAL: Eliminate bureaucracy and non-value-added processes. Encourage innovation, promote a sense of urgency, and identify and promote our competitive advantage.

The Company’s employment application form will state, at least, that The Company will consider all applicants for positions without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other basis prohibited by law.