Senior Process Engineer - Hydrotreating

CTS Complete Technical Services; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 110,544 - 172,725; Full time

Job summary

A leading technical services provider is seeking a Senior Process Engineer based in Corpus Christi, TX. The role involves driving technical innovation and operational excellence in hydrotreating processing units. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and at least 10 years of experience, particularly in refinery environments. Proficiency in process modeling and safety management is essential. The position offers a salary range of $110,544.00 to $172,725.00, commensurate with experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in hydrotreating process engineering.
• Experience in refinery settings, leading projects.
• Knowledge of Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) is essential.

Responsibilities

• Drive technical innovation and enhance operational excellence.
• Establish a robust technical network and assess new technologies.
• Monitor performance and develop comprehensive unit monitoring tools.
• Ensure technical aspects of projects align with business objectives.

Skills

Hydrocracking

Chemical Engineering

Process Modeling

Catalyst Management

Process Safety Management

Economic Analysis

Performance Monitoring

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen HYSYS

Job description

Senior Process Engineer

The Senior Process Engineer will be instrumental in driving technical innovation and operational excellence within our hydrotreating processing units. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities to enhance the performance and efficiency of our operations.

Ideal Candidate has experience with:

• Required - Minimum 10 years operating refinery hydrotreating units (unit process engineer, senior process engineer)
• Strong Chemical Engineering skills (hydraulics, heat/mass transfer, reactions, etc.)
• Catalysts (working with catalyst vendors, catalyst procurement, etc.)
• PHA/LOPA/HAZOP, strong PSM background (ideally with hydrotreating units)
• Thorough understanding of hydrotreating unit KPIs, unit monitoring, optimization, revamps, etc.
• Economic thinking (project idea generation, economic analysis, etc.)
• Process modeling (Aspen HYSYS)

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Networking and Innovation

• Establish and grow a robust technical network both within the company and in the broader industry. This involves engaging with peers, industry experts, and stakeholders to stay abreast of new technologies and best practices.
• Develop innovative ideas for value creation and perform detailed economic analyses to assess their viability and potential impact on operations.

Performance Monitoring and Tool Development

• Continuously monitor the performance of assigned units, using industry benchmarks to identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate in the creation of a comprehensive unit monitoring toolkit specifically tailored for hydrotreating technologies such as Hydrocracking, Distillate Hydrotreating, and Naphtha Hydrotreating. This toolkit will enable effective monitoring and troubleshooting of unit operations.

Auditing and Benchmarking

• Conduct thorough audits of unit performance reports and long-term operational calculations to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Review and provide support for benchmark studies, including Solomon and PTAI studies, to maintain competitive performance standards.

Project and Technical Support

• Ensure that the technical aspects of projects align with business objectives, providing oversight and guidance to project teams.
• Mentor and support Production Engineers in activities such as unit troubleshooting, process hazard analyses (PHAs), and critical procedural tasks. Facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development to enhance team capabilities.

High‑Profile Troubleshooting

• Lead and support high‑profile troubleshooting initiatives, leveraging technical expertise to resolve complex operational issues and improve unit reliability.

Experimental Design and Process Guidelines

• Collaborate with Operations to design experiments and establish process guidelines that optimize unit performance and drive innovation.

Modeling and Economic Decision‑Making

• Take ownership of Process Engineer modeling programs, utilizing advanced software like Aspen HYSYS to build technology loop models. This will support economic decision‑making in unit operations and enhance process efficiency.

Turnaround and Safety Support

• Provide technical support for turnaround programs, ensuring that technical scoping aligns with operational goals.
• Actively contribute to process safety and environmental performance through participation in PHAs, management of changes (MOC), and investigation teams, either as a member or leader.

Basic Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in hydrotreating process engineering, with hands‑on experience in units such as Hydrocracking, Distillate Hydrotreating, and Naphtha Hydrotreating.

Preferred Qualifications

• Over 15 years of experience in a refinery setting, with a strong track record in process engineering.
• Proven experience as a Process Engineer or Project Engineer, successfully leading and implementing projects in an oil refinery.
• Expertise in process modeling simulation using tools like Aspen HYSYS.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams effectively, fostering collaboration and driving project success.

Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Salary Range: $110,544.00 – $172,725.00