Senior Process Engineer

GEA Group; Columbia (MD); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

136 hours PTO

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

EAP

Job summary

GEA Group in Columbia, MD seeks a Senior Process Engineer to lead design, analysis, and execution of evaporation and crystallization projects for the chemical, food, and pharma markets. You will collaborate with sales, procurement, and engineering teams to deliver detailed technical proposals and robust process documentation.

You will generate PFDs, P&IDs, heat/mass balances, and equipment specifications while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering with 15+ years of experience.
• Proficient in fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics.
• Ability to read and interpret technical specifications and drawings.
• Willing and able to travel (10–20%).
• Excellent English language communication skills, verbal and written.
• Self-motivated, able to work from home periodically (2 days office/3 days at home).
• Strong knowledge of MS Office products.

Responsibilities

• Participate in project phases from initial customer meetings through pre-award sales support, cost estimation, proposal generation, engineering, commissioning, and optimization.
• Responsible for specific technical areas of the project, ensuring adherence to design standards and optimization to meet customer specs within time and budget.
• Work with the project team to achieve milestones and goals.
• Support scope changes assessment relating to process design across full project life cycle.
• Provide technical solutions that meet customer expectations and requirements.
• Maintain records of meetings, discussions, and technical documents.

Skills

Fluid dynamics

Heat transfer

Thermodynamics

Process design

Equipment sizing

Technical drawings

Travel availability

English communication

Teamwork

MS Office

Education

Chemical Engineering degree

Job description

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the heritage of a well-established company with the innovation of a forward-thinking industry leader. At GEA, we’re not just building equipment, we’re building lasting careers with an average employee tenure range from 8 + years, reflecting the strong culture, growth opportunities, and support we provide.

Your responsibilities and tasks

• Start strong – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day
• Recharge and refresh – Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including a flexible floating holiday, and 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore
• Invest in your future – A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster
• Keep learning – Take advantage of tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset
• Live well – Our wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits
• Get support when you need it – Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance
• Save smart – Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $ to $ per year. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States.

The pay range is not guaranteed compensation or salary. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards, such as a discretionary bonus (based on eligibility) and/or equity awards.

The Senior Process Engineer supports sales and execution of GEA process systems, specifically evaporation, and crystallization technologies for the Chemical Industry. Ideally, the Senior Process Engineer will spend 30-40% of their time on oversight responsibilities and 60-70% of their time on their own assignments for sales and project execution activities

The Senior Process Engineer (located in Columbia, MD) – the role is a vital part of the North American Technical Offer Management team, focusing on Evaporation and Crystallization Technologies offerings for the Chemical, food and pharmaceutical markets. This engineer engages closely with customers and the regional sales managers to fully grasp the customer’s technical needs and serves as the primary technical point of contact for queries. They are entrusted with the technical and aspects of all proposals and sales documents, as well as conducting the final technical review of all orders. The Senior Process Engineer is responsible for generating engineering documents and articulating technical sections of proposals for a diverse range of GEA equipment, services, and systems, collaborating with departments such as Procurement, Contract Management, Sales, Project Management and Engineering.

• Participate in project phases from initial customer meetings through pre-award sales support, support cost estimation, proposal generation, engineering, commissioning, and optimization.
• Responsible for specific technical areas of the project, ensuring adherence to design standards and optimization of designs to meet customer specifications within time, budget, and contract constraints.
• Work collaboratively with project team to accomplish project milestones and goals.
• Support identification and justification of scope changes, as it relates/impacts the process design over the full project life cycle.
• Provide technical solutions that meet customer expectations and requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of meetings, discussions, correspondence, and technical documents.
• Develop Block Flow Diagrams (BFDs), Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), and heat and mass balances.
• Develop process equipment specification.
• Specify and/or design utility consumptions.
• Contribute to general arrangement of plot plant and elevation view drawings.
• Evaluate and approve design changes, specifications, and drawing releases.
• Develop process & functional descriptions of operation.
• Lead and facilitate software FAT. Confirm operation according to process description/ functional description (FDS).
• Plan and implement test procedures and commissioning plans.
• Provide technical support through troubleshooting to resolve customer concerns regarding equipment/system performance.
• Complete plant audits.
• Ensure compliance with government regulations, safety standards, environmental regulations, and industry standards such as sanitary requirements.
• Support safety evaluations such as HAZOP meetings.
• Collaborate with team members, technology centers, and GEA European Centers of Competence for technology improvements and successful project execution.
• Coordinate with other disciplines to minimize deficiencies, errors, and omissions in project technical document and specifications.
• Develop relationships with key technical stakeholders for process design & operation considerations.
• Provide pre-sale and post-sale support including site evaluations, pilot trials, presentations, and training.
• Technically evaluate third-party supplier proposals and equipment selections.
• Work with customers in support of sales managers and build/maintain relationships.
• Lead or support commissioning activities on site.
• Train customer personnel on GEA process systems during commissioning.
• Provide ongoing troubleshooting support, train customer personnel, and report any process improvement initiatives.

Your profile and qualifications

Required:

• BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering with a minimum of 15 years’ experience
• Proficient in fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics
• Experience should include process design, equipment sizing, component selection
• Ability to read and interpret technical specifications and drawings
• Willing and able to travel (normally 10 - 20 % of the time)
• Excellent English language communication skills, verbal and written
• Effective interpersonal skills and work well in a team setting as well as independently
• Self-motivated, able to work from home periodically (current policy 2 days office/3 days at home)
• Strong knowledge of MS Office products

Preferred:

• Hands-on chemical industry process engineering experience, min 2-3 years
• Process equipment industry engineering or sales experience, min 5 years
• Strong knowledge of ASME Section VIII, Div 1 and B31.3
• Knowledge of shop and/or field fabrication practices including fit-up techniques and types/quality of welding
• Materials of construction selection experience, including corrosion testing techniques
• Interpretation of CFD modeling results

At GEA, we don’t just offer jobs, we offer opportunities to thrive, grow, and make an impact.

Please note: This position is based in the United States and does not offer visa or work sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

GEA Group is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all clients and employees feel welcomed, accepted, and valued.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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About GEA

GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food and beverage processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. Approximately 18,000 employees in more than 60 countries contribute significantly to GEA’s success – come and join them! We offer interesting and challenging tasks, a positive working environment in international teams and opportunities for personal development and growth in a global company.

GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the...

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the...

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the...

GEA is certified as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute in 19 countries in APAC & Europe. We have high scores for Leadership, Ethics & Integrity and Sustainability. Outside APAC & Europe we are also certified in Colombia and Mexico.

GEA’s heritage stretches back more than 140 years. Today, we operate in resilient customer industries with a dedicated workforce of more than 18,000 employees and conduct business with more than 150 countries.