Process Engineer

ZRG Careers; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Profit Sharing

401(k) company match

Paid Parental Leave

Life Insurance & Short/Long-Term Disab

Job summary

ZRG Careers is seeking a Process Engineer for our steel finishing operations in Houston. You will partner with production teams to improve quality, efficiency, and process stability while maintaining strong safety and operational standards.

The role emphasizes solving complex process interactions, sustaining improvements, and providing technical ownership across pipe finishing areas such as heat treatment and hydro-testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or related field).
• 2+ years of experience in heavy or steel manufacturing or similar settings.
• Strong problem-solving, quality, and lean methods background.
• Experience analyzing complex process interactions and sustaining improvements.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Design and support engineered controls to enable safe operations.
• Lead daily problem-solving and improvement projects for quality and efficiency.
• Monitor key process variables to reduce variation and improve performance.
• Sustain improvements through training, audits, and standard work.
• Provide ownership and support for pipe finishing areas (heat treatment, straightening, hydro-testing, sawing).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for plant trials and troubleshooting.
• Contribute to process communities and capital projects while aligning with standards.

Skills

Problem solving

Lean

Data analysis

MS Office

US work authorization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Office/O365

Job description

We are seeking a Process Engineer whose passion for safety, continuous improvement, and technical excellence matches the strength and resilience of the steel we produce. In this role, you will be a key driver of operational performance - partnering closely with production teams to improve quality, efficiency, and process stability across our pipe finishing operations.

Your Role at a Glance

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to safety by designing and supporting engineered controls that enable safe operations, proactively identifying and mitigating at-risk conditions and behaviors.
• Drive daily problem-solving and targeted short- and long-term projects to improve quality, productivity, efficiency, cost, and the adoption of new technologies within assigned processes.
• Monitor and analyze key process variables to reduce variation, improve product and process consistency, and enhance overall operational performance.
• Sustain improvements through effective documentation, operator training and coaching, process audits, and the translation of hands-on operator knowledge into standard practices.
• Provide technical ownership and support for assigned pipe finishing areas, which may include heat treatment, straightening, hydro-testing, sawing, and other finishing operations.
• Partner with Industrialization, Automation, Operations, and Maintenance teams to support plant trials, real-time process control and modeling, capital equipment design and upgrades, and fast-paced troubleshooting when needed, including off-shift support.
• Contribute to corporate Process Communities, R&D initiatives, decarbonization efforts, and capital expenditure projects, ensuring alignment with global standards and audit actions.
• Focus on achieving key performance targets such as process yield, inspection yield, OEE, non-quality losses, cost per ton, and consumable usage through disciplined process control and continuous improvement.
• Develop deep technical expertise in assigned processes and leverage that knowledge to train teams, improve standard work, and deliver sustainable results aligned with broader business strategy.

What Sets You Apart

We’re looking for individuals who bring the right mix of experience, mindset, and motivation:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field required; Master’s preferred)
• 2+ years of experience in heavy or steel manufacturing (or similar industrial environment)
• Strong background in structured problem-solving, quality, and lean methodologies
• Experience analyzing complex process interactions and sustaining improvement results
• Technical knowledge of manufacturing processes, process controls, measurement systems, and data analysis
• Proficiency with MS Office/O365 and modern data platforms
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

What Powers Your Performance

Success in this role is driven by a strong mix of personal ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We value team members who:

• Communicate clearly and constructively
• Collaborate effectively and contribute to team success
• Adapt to change with a positive, proactive mindset
• Take accountability and show initiative in their work
• Demonstrate reliability and pride in performance
• Prioritize safety and act with awareness
• Embrace feedback and use it to grow
• Maintain high attention to detail
• Drive continuous improvement and challenge the status quo
• Support and develop others through shared learning

How We Support Your Success

We’re committed to helping you thrive- on the job and beyond. That’s why we offer a collaborative culture where your ideas drive real change, and career mobility within a stable, essential industry. To support your growth and well-being, we also provide a comprehensive and competitive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Company-Paid Life Insurance & Short/Long-Term Disability
• Profit Sharing: Up to 4%
• 401(k): 4.5% company match with no vesting period
• Paid Parental Leave (birthing, non-birthing, and adoption)