Associate Principal

Clayco; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Flexible spending accounts

Learning & development programs

Job summary

Clayco is seeking an experienced process engineer in Kansas City to lead projects in petfood and meat production. This role involves developing process flow diagrams, material balances, and collaborating with other engineers to ensure safe and efficient operations.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering and experience in operations, construction, or has passed the PE exam. Clayco offers a comprehensive benefits package, a discretionary annual bonus, and is recognized as one of the best places to work.

Qualifications

• 8 to 15+ years of experience in process engineering.
• Preference for candidates who passed the PE exam.
• Experience in operations, process start-up, or construction.

Responsibilities

• Scope out projects and establish a design basis.
• Create process flow diagrams and material balances.
• Support specifying equipment and assist other discipline leads.

Skills

Petfood and Meat Processing experience

Knowledge of lean processes

Strong engineering judgement

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AFT Fathom

AFT Arrow

HTRI

Job description

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.

About LJC

LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

Clayco Design and Engineering is looking for an experienced process engineer with extensive knowledge of petfood and meat production. The ideal candidate has 8 to 15+ years' experience and is looking to be the lead process engineering resource in our Birmingham office.

Responsibilities

The process engineer will scope out projects, establish a design basis, create process flow diagrams (PFD’s), generate material balances, create piping and instrumentation diagrams, specify process mechanical equipment, support specifying instrumentation and assist other discipline leads in successful implementation of the process design. They will interpret plant data, design often (with assumptions stated) on limited information and utilize strong engineering judgement to ensure the process is safe and meets the needs of the clients’ business.

This person will use and develop internal tools, use process engineering software such as AFT Fathom, AFT Arrow, or HTRI to complete required scopes of work. They will have familiarity with engineering practices, vendor requirements, and discipline engineering needs across multiple process industries.

An entrepreneurial mindset will help the process engineer to succeed at Clayco. Someone who has passed the PE exam is preferred. Operations, process start-up, or construction experience is also preferred.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited university or college.
• Successfully passed PE exam
• Petfood and Meat Processing experience
• Knowledge of lean processes
• Field construction and startup experience

Why Clayco and LJC?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Top 400 – Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3)

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.