Principal Chemical Engineer - Fired Heater Specialist

Honeywell International Inc.; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Honeywell International Inc. seeks an experienced engineer to provide technical leadership across the lifecycle of fired heater systems within UOP’s process technology portfolio. You will drive thermal design, solve complex issues, and mentor teams across R&D, project execution, and field support.

The role requires robust knowledge of API codes, integration of process and mechanical design, and travel up to 10%. Hybrid work arrangement in Rosemont, IL or Houston, TX is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or related discipline).
• 10+ years’ experience in engineering and/or operation in the process industries.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for fired heater systems across UOP’s portfolio.
• Lead thermal design and performance evaluation of fired heaters, including use of tools such as FRNC and other modeling platforms.
• Drive equipment specification, design reviews, and optimization for new units, revamps, and debottlenecking projects.
• Troubleshoot complex operational and design issues, providing solutions to internal teams and customers.
• Lead innovation and development efforts to improve fired heater performance, reliability, emissions, and efficiency.
• Develop and enhance engineering standards, tools, and best practices for fired heater design and application.
• Interface with customers, vendors, and global engineering teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Provide technical mentoring, coaching, and training to develop organizational expertise.
• Support new technology commercialization and strategic initiatives related to fired heater systems.

Skills

Fired heater design

Thermal design

Process engineering

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

FRNC

Modeling platforms

Job description

Job Description

Innovate to solve the world's most important challenges. The future is what you make it. When you join Honeywell, you become a member of our global team of thinkers, innovators, dreamers and doers who make the things that make the future. UOP, a Honeywell company headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, is a leading international licensor of processing technology and supplier of engineering services, catalysts and adsorbents, equipment, specialty materials and digital solutions for the global refining, gas processing and petrochemical industries. With more than a century of leadership in hydrocarbon processing technologies, UOP has led six revolutions in technology that transformed our industry. Be part of a team that applies its expertise and knowledge across Honeywell UOP's broad portfolio of process technologies in refining, petrochemicals, gas, and renewables areas.

This role will provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle of fired heater systems supporting UOP’s process technology portfolio. This role combines deep thermal and process expertise with mechanical integration awareness to drive innovation, resolve complex problems and enable successful project execution.

You will report directly to our Sr. Chemical Engineering Manager, and you’ll work out of our Rosemont, IL or Houston, TX location on a Hybrid work schedule.

Hybrid Work Schedule Note: For the first 90 days, New Hires must be prepared to work 100% onsite M-F

You will serve as a recognized subject matter expert in fired heater design, operation, and troubleshooting, working across R&D, project execution, and field support. You will also play a key leadership role in advancing UOP’s fired heater capabilities, standards, and technology differentiation.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for fired heater systems across UOP’s portfolio
• Lead thermal design and performance evaluation of fired heaters, including use of tools such as FRNC and other modeling platforms.
• Drive equipment specification, design reviews, and optimization for new units, revamps, and debottlenecking projects.
• Troubleshoot complex operational and design issues, providing solutions to internal teams and customers.
• Lead innovation and development efforts to improve fired heater performance, reliability, emissions, and efficiency.
• Develop and enhance engineering standards, tools, and best practices for fired heater design and application.
• Interface with customers, vendors, and global engineering teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Provide technical mentoring, coaching, and training to develop organizational expertise.
• Support new technology commercialization and strategic initiatives related to fired heater systems.

Qualifications

Must Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or related discipline)
• 10+ years’ experience in engineering and/or operation in the process industries.

We Value

• 5+ years’ focused experience in fired heater design
• Deep expertise in fired heater design methodologies, including thermal, fluid flow, and heat transfer analysis
• Expert knowledge of industry codes and standards such as API 560, API 530, API 535, and related practices
• Active API Code Committee participation or leadership
• Experience integrating process, thermal, and mechanical design considerations for complex equipment systems
• Expertise in troubleshooting and performance optimization of operating units
• Experience working on global, cross-functional teams and managing multiple priorities
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a track record of innovative solutions
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and mentor others

Travel required: Ability to travel up to 10% world-wide, typically of short duration (generally between a few days and two weeks).

Relocation support may be provided

The annual base salary range for this position is . Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Honeywell considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.

Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. Person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status or have the ability to obtain an export authorization

In addition to a competitive salary, leading‑edge work, and developing solutions side‑by‑side with dedicated experts in their fields, Honeywell employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays. Learn more (https://benefits.honeywell.com/)

The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Job posting date: 23rd October, 2026.

About Honeywell Technologies

Honeywell Technologies is a global, pure‑play automation company with a legacy of innovating to help solve the world’s most mission‑critical challenges, enhancing the quality of life for people and communities around the world. We serve the building, industrial and process sectors with a broad portfolio of services, solutions and products, underpinned by our Honeywell Technologies Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Technologies Forge intelligence layer. By combining the deep domain expertise of our more than 50,000 employees with decades of data from our global installed base, we are uniquely positioned to lead the industrial sector’s transition from automation to autonomy. Learn more (https://www.honeywell.com/us/en)

THE BUSINESS UNIT

Honeywell Technologies Process Technology helps customers improve energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational performance through advanced process technologies and industry expertise. From process licensing and catalysts to digital solutions and engineering services, we support innovation across energy, refining, petrochemicals, and emerging low‑carbon industries.

Honeywell is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.