Process Engineer

BW Elara; Singapore; On-site; SGD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

BW Elara in Singapore seeks a seasoned Process Engineer to lead desalination design for floating barge units. You will drive process optimization, commissioning, and regulatory-compliant solutions tailored to marine environments.

The ideal candidate has 10–15 years in process engineering with 5+ years in desalination, SWRO/MED/MSF expertise, and strong collaboration across naval architecture and operations teams. Travel regionally as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Process, or Mechanical Engineering; Master's preferred.
• 10-15 years of process engineering experience, with at least 5 years in desalination plant design.
• Experience with floating, shipboard, offshore, or modular water treatment systems desirable.
• Strong technical background in SWRO and/or MED/MSF desalination processes and pretreatment.
• Proficient with process simulation tools (Aspen, HYSYS) and AutoCAD/P&ID, REVIT/3D, MATLAB.
• Familiarity with marine classification society requirements and vessel integration.
• Proven commissioning, start-up and troubleshooting experience; lead PHAs/HAZOPs.
• Excellent technical writing and ability to prepare specs, proposals and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead process engineering for floating desalination units and deliver P&IDs.
• Select and specify desalination technologies and balance-of-plant systems.
• Perform process simulations, hydraulics and thermal calculations; size equipment.
• Coordinate with naval architecture for barge layouts and onboard utilities.
• Lead PHA/HAZOP and risk assessments; propose safety mitigations.
• Create technical specs, bid packages and procurement criteria.
• Support commissioning, start-up and on-location testing and tuning.
• Troubleshoot operations and conduct root-cause analyses.
• Ensure designs meet ABS/DNV/Lloyds and regional standards.
• Mentor junior engineers; coordinate cross-disciplinary teams.
• Contribute to business development with proposals and studies.
• Maintain accurate documentation and handover packs.

Skills

Process engineering

Desalination

Hazop/PHA

Project management

Team leadership

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical/Process/Mechanical

Master's preferred

Tools

Aspen

HYSYS

RO design tools

AutoCAD/P&ID

REVIT/3D modelling

MATLAB

Job description

We are seeking a Process Engineer to join our Singapore team. The Process Engineer will lead the design, development, optimization and commissioning of desalination processes for floating barge-based units. This role requires deep process engineering experience in seawater desalination (MSF, MED, and/or seawater reverse osmosis), strong marine/shipboard systems understanding, and proven capability to translate client requirements into safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant water-production solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead process engineering for floating desalination units, including process flow diagrams, mass/energy balances, equipment specifications, and P&IDs.
• Select and specify desalination technologies and associated balance-of-plant systems (pretreatment, membranes, high-pressure pumping, energy recovery, chemical dosing, post-treatment, brine handling, and ancillary utilities).
• Perform process simulations, hydraulics and thermal calculations; size key equipment (pumps, membranes, heat exchangers, vessels, tanks).
• Provide process input to naval architecture and marine engineering teams to ensure compatibility with barge layouts, structural constraints, sea-keeping and onboard utilities (power, HVAC, ballast, fire-fighting).
• Lead process hazard analyses (PHA), HAZOP participation, risk assessments and value-engineering reviews; propose mitigation measures for safety, reliability and environmental compliance.
• Create technical specifications, bid packages and procurement evaluation criteria for major process equipment and consumables.
• Support commissioning, start-up and trials at fabrication sites and on-location (onboard barges / moored sites); supervise performance testing and tuning to achieve guaranteed output and quality.
• Troubleshoot operational issues and provide technical support to operations teams and clients; lead root-cause analyses and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure designs meet relevant codes, regulations and classification society requirements (e.g., ABS, DNV, Lloyds) as well as Singapore and regional environmental and discharge standards.
• Mentor and coach junior process engineers; lead cross-disciplinary coordination with mechanical, electrical, instrumentation & control, procurement and project management teams.
• Contribute to business development by preparing technical proposals, feasibility studies, estimates and technical presentations for clients.
• Maintain accurate documentation (reports, O&M manuals, as-built process documentation) and handover packages for operations.

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Process, or Mechanical Engineering; Master's preferred.
• Minimum 10-15 years' relevant process engineering experience, with at least 5 years in desalination plant design and delivery. Experience with floating, shipboard, offshore, or modular water treatment systems is highly desirable.
• Strong technical background in seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) and/or thermal desalination (MED/MSF) processes, pretreatment technologies (media filtration, ultrafiltration, coagulation, dissolved air flotation), energy recovery devices, and brine management.
• Practical experience with process simulation tools and engineering software (e.g., Aspen, HYSYS, RO design tools, AutoCAD/P&ID, REVIT/3D modelling, MATLAB) and Microsoft Office suite.
• Familiarity with marine classification society requirements, offshore/marine engineering constraints, and integration with vessel systems.
• Proven experience in commissioning, start-up and troubleshooting of desalination plants and in leading HAZOPs or PHAs.
• Excellent technical writing skills and experience preparing specifications, technical proposals, reports and O&M manuals.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and work with clients, yards and regulators.
• Willingness to travel regionally and undertake offshore or extended site visits as required.