Process Engineer (60333)

Paycom - ATS; Alabama; On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

LSB Chemical L.L.C. in Cherokee, AL is seeking a Process Engineer to provide technical accountability for process behavior and operating envelopes.

You will define operating limits, maintain control philosophy, monitor performance, analyze deviations, rationalize alarms, and lead root cause analyses to improve safety, reliability and profitability. The role collaborates with Operations, Reliability, Maintenance, Environmental, and Project Engineering teams to sustain safe operation and drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering required.
• 2–10 years of related experience in refining, petrochemical, or chemical manufacturing facilities (ammonia/urea a plus).
• Demonstrated knowledge of process troubleshooting, heat and mass balance, data analysis, root cause analysis, and operating procedures.
• Working knowledge of Process Safety Management requirements (PHA, MOC, PSSR).
• Ability to develop practical engineering scopes and coordinate input from multiple teams.
• Strong data-driven problem solving and cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain operating envelopes, safe operating limits, and process control philosophies; define critical parameters and control strategies.
• Monitor performance, investigate deviations, and develop corrective actions for recurring issues.
• Lead alarm rationalization and ensure safe, effective operator responses.
• Conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective actions with cross-functional partners.
• Support process safety through MOC, PHA participation, and documentation.

Skills

Refining experience

PSM familiarity

Process control

Root cause analysis

Alarm management

Data-driven problem solving

Education

Chemical/Mechanical Eng

Tools

DCS

PLC

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: LSB Cherokee AL - Cherokee, AL, Salary Range: Undisclosed, About LSB

LSB is committed to playing a leadership role in the production of low and no carbon products that build, feed and power the world. The LSB team is dedicated to building a culture of excellence in customer experiences as we deliver essential products across the agricultural and industrial end markets and, in the future, the energy markets. Join our team and help us develop innovative solutions that will improve the quality of life for current and future generations. Learn more about LSB at www.lsbindustries.com.

Why Cherokee, AL? Cherokee, Alabama, in Colbert County, blends Southern charm with natural beauty, making it an idyllic place to live and work. Enjoy scenic drives through rolling hills and the nearby Tennessee River. Outdoor enthusiasts can fish, hike, and boat in the area. The town offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a focus on community and hospitality. Affordable living, excellent schools, and a strong community ensure a high quality of life. Conveniently located near Muscle Shoals and Florence, Cherokee combines small-town peace with access to metropolitan amenities. Discover career opportunities and a relaxed lifestyle in Cherokee, AL.

Job Purpose:Provide technical accountability for process behavior and operating envelopes for assigned production units. The Process Engineer is accountable for defining operating limits, maintaining process control philosophy, monitoring process performance, analyzing deviations, rationalizing alarms, and leading process-related root cause analyses. The role ensures the facility operates within established safe operating limits while supporting Operations, Reliability, Maintenance, Environmental, and Project Engineering teams in improving safety, reliability, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process Stewardship: Maintain operating envelopes, safe operating limits, and process operating guidelines; define and maintain process control philosophies, critical process parameters, and control strategies; establish process performance indicators and monitor process health, stability, and capability; identify process constraints and optimization opportunities through process data analysis; and serve as the technical authority on process behavior.
• Process Monitoring and Deviation Analysis: Monitor plant performance, investigate deviations from expected operating conditions, lead process-related troubleshooting during upsets and abnormal conditions, analyze trends, operating data, laboratory results, and control system data, develop sustainable corrective actions for recurring process problems, and support Operations in restoring stable operation while maintaining compliance with operating limits.
• Alarm Management and Control Systems: Lead alarm rationalization activities, ensure alarms support safe and effective operator response, evaluate nuisance alarms and alarm flooding risks, work with Process Control Engineers and Operations to improve process control performance and reduce variability, and ensure control strategies remain aligned with process safety and operational objectives.
• Process Root Cause Analysis: Lead process-related root cause investigations involving process design, operating limits, process chemistry, material and energy balances, control systems, human-machine interface issues, and process performance degradation. Partner with Operations, Reliability, Maintenance, and Environmental personnel to implement corrective actions and verify effectiveness.
• Process Safety Management: Provide technical evaluation of process changes through the Management of Change process; participate in and provide technical leadership during PHA, LOPA, and PSSR activities; maintain technical documentation including process descriptions, operating envelopes, process flow diagrams, and process safety information; and ensure process hazards and risks are understood and communicated.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve process safety, unit reliability, energy efficiency, raw material efficiency, product quality, and production capability. Develop engineering recommendations supported by technical and economic evaluations, and support implementation and verification of process improvement initiatives.

Role Accountability:

• The Process Engineer is accountable for process behavior, operating envelopes and limits, process deviation analysis, alarm rationalization, process-related root cause analysis, process performance monitoring, and process optimization recommendations.
• The Process Engineer is not accountable for routine operation of the units, operator execution of procedures, maintenance execution, or equipment repair activities. These activities are performed in partnership with Operations, Maintenance, and Reliability, while Process Engineer provides technical leadership and process expertise.

Qualifications: Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering from a four-year college or university.
• Two to ten years of related experience in a refining, petrochemical, or chemical manufacturing facility. Preferred background includes direct engineering experience in an ammonia, urea, and/or ammonium nitrate plant, experience in a PSM-regulated process, and experience with process control engineering.
• Demonstrated knowledge of process troubleshooting, heat and material balance development, process data analysis, root cause analysis, field troubleshooting, basic project scoping support, process control systems, alarm response, and operating procedure development.
• Working knowledge of Process Safety Management requirements, including PHA participation, MOC documentation, pre-startup safety reviews, procedure updates, incident investigations, and closure of assigned action items.
• Ability to develop practical engineering scopes, coordinate input from Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Environmental, and Project Engineering, and support cost, schedule, safety, reliability, and compliance alignment.
• Strong data-driven problem-solving skills and the ability to recommend practical improvements that can be implemented safely in a PSM-regulated operating environment.
• Desire to work with shift operations teams to improve unit operations and develop process optimization strategies with operators.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all members of the plant organization and work cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Environmental, and Project Engineering.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• This is primarily an onsite role in a continuous chemical manufacturing facility. Occasional off-hour support may be required during unit upsets, outages, startups, shutdowns, turnarounds, or other operational events requiring process engineering support.
• Physical ability to work around and on industrial equipment, including frequent climbing of stairs and ladders
• Willingness to work in a 24/7 continuous chemical processing facility around dust, chemicals, high temperatures, loud noises, and running equipment.
• Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in designated areas, including FRC, hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, and a full-face respirator as necessary in emergencies.

LSB Chemical L.L.C. is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. LSB prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. LSB conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.