Process Engineer

Hernshead Recruitment; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Hernshead Recruitment seeks a Process Engineer for a forward‑looking sustainable chemicals company to design, develop, and deploy modular processing systems from lab to production.

You will collaborate with engineering and operations teams to troubleshoot plant issues, support commissioning at customer sites, and help scale technologies, with travel involved across sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Typically 1–3 years of relevant industry experience in chemical processing or process engineering.
• Experience with plant operations, commissioning, or pilot-scale development preferred.
• Industrial exposure to modular process technology is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop test equipment and process systems for lab to commercial scale.
• Provide hands-on engineering and operational support for plant activities.
• Support transition from lab development through pilot trials to full-scale production.
• Conduct field walks, assess equipment and performance.
• Assist with installation, testing and commissioning of modular processing plants at customer sites.
• Develop and review process documentation including P&IDs and equipment specs.
• Ensure changes follow MOC procedures and drive productivity and safety.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver process improvements.

Skills

Chemical processing

Hands-on engineering

P&IDs knowledge

Modular process tech

Field inspections

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Aspen

ChemCAD

MS Project

Job description

• An innovative sustainable chemicals company is seeking a Process Engineer to support the design, development, optimisation and deployment of chemical processing systems. This role offers hands‑on involvement in plant engineering, operational support and the scale‑up of modular process technologies from laboratory development through pilot and demonstration facilities to commercial‑scale production.
• The successful candidate will work closely with engineering and operations teams to troubleshoot plant issues, improve process performance and support equipment installation, testing and commissioning. The role provides practical exposure to production environments, process equipment and plant operations, with opportunities to apply engineering principles to real‑world challenges. It also involves field inspections and travel to customer sites to assist with the deployment of modular processing plants.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop test equipment and process systems for laboratory, pilot and commercial‑scale applications.
• Provide hands‑on engineering and operational support for plant activities, identifying and resolving process upsets and equipment failures.
• Support the transition of processes from laboratory development through pilot‑scale trials to full‑scale production.
• Conduct field walks and assess equipment, process performance and operational requirements.
• Support the installation, deployment, testing and commissioning of modular processing plants at customer sites.
• Develop and review process documentation, including P&IDs, equipment specifications and process designs.
• Support plant modifications and ensure changes follow Management of Change (MOC) procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce operating costs, enhance reliability and improve safety.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations and project teams to deliver process improvements and new technologies.
• Maintain compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements and operational procedures.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Experience or exposure to chemical processing, refining, industrial manufacturing, EPC or modular process engineering environments.
• Practical, hands‑on experience supporting plant operations, production activities, equipment troubleshooting or process development.
• Ability to understand process requirements and apply engineering principles across laboratory, pilot and commercial‑scale operations.
• Knowledge of P&IDs, process equipment and industrial plant systems.
• Exposure to commissioning, plant start‑up, equipment installation or production engineering is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Management of Change (MOC) procedures and plant modification processes.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Aspen, ChemCAD and/or MS Project is advantageous.
• Strong analytical, technical problem‑solving and organisational skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage priorities independently and adapt to a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment.
• Strong commitment to workplace safety, regulatory compliance and operational integrity.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites to support plant deployment and commissioning.
• Passion for sustainable engineering, innovation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Typically 1–3 years of relevant industry experience, ideally within chemical processing, manufacturing, refining, EPC or process engineering environments.
• Candidates with practical plant exposure, production engineering experience, commissioning, equipment troubleshooting or pilot‑scale development experience are strongly preferred.
• Graduates with relevant industrial placement, internship or hands‑on project experience may also be considered.