Process Engineer – Future Opening

VAA; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 69,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Profit sharing/401(k)

Discretionary bonus program

Paid leave

and more

Job summary

VAA is seeking an Entry-Level Process Engineer for our Minneapolis, MN location, working with experienced engineers on P&IDs, process flow diagrams, equipment layouts, and instrument specifications. You will contribute to real client projects and learn how facilities come together.

Graduates December 2026 or May 2027 with a relevant engineering degree are encouraged to apply. The starting salary range is $69,000–$85,000 with benefits and a travel footprint around 5% to job sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Industrial or Mechanical Engineering, or a bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology.
• Graduating in December 2026 or May 2027, or recently graduated.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn.
• Interest in process systems and multidisciplinary project work.

Responsibilities

• Develop process design solutions using engineering fundamentals and problem-solving skills.
• Prepare calculations, drawings, specifications and other design documents.
• Build your knowledge of design codes and industry standards.
• Gain experience using process engineering and design software.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers and other VAA disciplines.
• Visit construction sites, observe work in the field and prepare reports.
• Take on more complex work and responsibility as your skills grow.

Skills

Problem-solving

Willingness to learn

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Industrial or Mechanical Engineering, or a bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology

Job description

Location: Minneapolis, MN: candidates interested in New Orleans, LA or Sioux Falls, SD may also be considered.

Ready to Start Building Your Career?

Graduating in December 2026 or May 2027? Bring what you've learned in the classroom to real projects at VAA.

As an Entry-Level Process Engineer, you'll work alongside experienced engineers, contribute to meaningful client work and start building the technical and professional skills that will shape your career. You'll help solve real process challenges and learn how materials, equipment and systems come together inside complex facilities.

Come ready to learn, contribute and grow. Your career is just getting started.

Your Role

Want to see how a process goes from an idea to an operating system? VAA's Process team works on Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), process flow diagrams, process equipment layouts, equipment and instrumentation specifications, and conveying system design for dry, liquid and gas commodities.

Working under the direction of a Project or Senior Engineer, you'll have opportunities to:

• Develop process design solutions using engineering fundamentals and problem-solving skills
• Prepare calculations, drawings, specifications and other design documents
• Build your knowledge of design codes and industry standards
• Gain experience using process engineering and design software
• Collaborate with engineers, designers and other VAA disciplines
• Visit construction sites, observe work in the field and prepare reports
• Take on more complex work and responsibility as your skills grow

Potential travel: Approximately 5% to construction jobsites.

What Your Career at VAA Could Look Like

• Do meaningful work. Contribute to real client projects from the start.
• Learn from the pros. Get mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals.
• Work across disciplines. See how Process works alongside Mechanical, Electrical, Structural and other teams.
• Keep growing. Build your technical knowledge and professional skills.
• Get out there. Visit jobsites and see how processes operate in real facilities.
• Find your people. Build connections through project teams, mentorship and Employee Resource Groups.
• Build your future. Take on new challenges as your experience grows.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Industrial or Mechanical Engineering, or a bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology
• Graduating in December 2026 or May 2027, or recently graduated
• Strong problem-solving skills and a willingness to learn
• Interest in process systems and multidisciplinary project work

Starting Annual Salary Range: $69,000–$85,000

Benefits That Grow With You

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Profit sharing/401(k)
• Discretionary bonus program
• Paid leave
• and more.

Get to Know VAA

VAA is an Engineering, Planning and Design firm specializing in commercial projects, bulk commodity-handling facilities, and structures for value-added processing, manufacturing and distribution.

Hear first‑hand what it's like to work here, the opportunities you can find and the resources that will support you - professionally and personally:

Watch the VAA Careers Video

Let's Get Growing

Your career. Your talents. Your network.

VAA is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Vets/Disability employer