Federal Process Engineer

Engineering Group; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and company holidays

Wellness programmes and employee assis

Job summary

Salas O’Brien is seeking a Federal Process Engineer to plan, develop and execute process engineering tasks for industrial, manufacturing, energy and life sciences projects for federal clients. You’ll work independently with supervision to design processes, evaluate existing systems, support improvements and deliver compliant solutions.

The role supports multiple federal project teams to automate processes, improve throughput and maintain safety standards.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years in progressively responsible process engineering.
• Experience with industrial, manufacturing, energy or tech facilities.
• Experience with federal clients or defense contractors preferred.
• Professional licensure or certifications encouraged (PE/PM/Six Sigma).
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and lead tasks.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate processes to improve safety, efficiency, reliability and sustainability.
• Develop PFDs, P&IDs, heat and material balances and process narratives.
• Conduct mass and energy balance calculations and equipment sizing.
• Prepare equipment specs, data sheets and procurement support docs.
• Support PHA/HAZOP studies and regulatory compliance reviews.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, controls, civil and environmental teams.
• Assist with facility planning, layout, utility coordination and startup.
• Participate in client meetings, technical reviews and project presentations.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance to project teams.

Skills

Process engineering

Process design

Regulatory compliance

Hazard analyses

Leadership

Client collaboration

Education

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Industrial Engineering

Engineering degree

Tools

AutoCAD/Plant 3D

Bluebeam Revu

Engineering modeling software

Job description

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

We are currently working on projects and have openings available to support the modernization of Department of Defense and Department of Energy facilities contributing to the mission of defending the United States and supporting the warfighter.

Job Summary:

The Federal Process Engineer is responsible for planning, developing, and executing process engineering tasks for industrial, manufacturing, energy, life sciences, and advanced technology projects supporting federal clients. Working independently with general supervision, the Federal Process Engineer develops process designs, evaluates existing systems, supports process improvements, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, efficient, and compliant engineering solutions.

The Federal Process Engineer will support multiple federal project teams to assess existing industrial processes, introduce commercial technology, and automate process steps to optimise throughput while preserving stringent safety and quality standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Evaluate production, manufacturing, utility, chemical, and industrial processes to improve safety, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), heat and material balances, and process narratives.
• Perform process calculations including mass balances, energy balances, hydraulic calculations, and equipment sizing.
• Prepare equipment specifications, process data sheets, and procurement support documents.
• Support process hazard analyses (PHA), hazard and operational (HAZOP) studies, safety reviews, and regulatory compliance assessments.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, architectural, civil, and environmental disciplines.
• Support facility planning, process layout development, utility coordination, and operational readiness activities.
• Participate in client meetings, technical reviews, and project presentations.
• Support construction, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting activities.
• Assist with proposal development, scope definition, budgeting, and project planning.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to project team members.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (with significant process engineering experience), industrial engineering (with relevant process experience), or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 5-10 years of progressively responsible process engineering experience.
• Experience supporting industrial, manufacturing, chemical, energy, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, semiconductor, or advanced technology facilities.
• Experience working with federal clients or a major defense contractor.
• Demonstrated experience producing engineering calculations, technical reports, specifications, and design documents.
• Credentialing to include the Professional Engineer (PE) license, Certified Process Safety Professional (CCPSC), Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, Project Management Professional (PMP), or ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP).
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Skills/Abilities:

• Experience with EPC, design-build, or federal government projects.
• Experience with process automation and controls integration.
• Experience supporting construction, commissioning, and startup.
• Experience performing process safety analyses and risk assessments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Excel-based engineering calculations, AutoCAD or AutoCAD Plant 3D, Bluebeam Revu, and other advanced modeling, simulation, and analytical software platforms.
• Experience leading small engineering task teams or discipline-specific work packages.
• Excellent work ethic and attitude.
• Excellent communication skills, organisational expertise, and the ability to plan, balance and prioritise work.
• Ability to work within a team in field, hybrid and office settings.
• Ability to lead a team and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to conduct site visits and field investigations, access industrial, manufacturing and construction environments, occasionally lift up to 25 pounds and wear required PPE during field assignments.

Location: Remote

Type: Full-Time

Travel: Yes, 10%

Compensation:

The expected base salary range for this role is $90,000-$110,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programmes and employee assistance resources

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here .

About Us:

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialised experience includes designs for data centres, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approval partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Chemical Engineering or related field.

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

Bachelors or better in Industrial Engineering or related field.

Bachelors or better in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Experience

Required

5-10 years:

5-10 years:

5-10 years of progressively responsible process engineering experience.

Preferred

Experience working with federal clients or a major defense contractor.

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

Project Management Pro

LEAN Six Sigma

Professional Engineer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.