Senior Process Engineer, Mechanical Engineering

Socket.dev; Duluth (MN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Annual incentive plan

HSA contributions

401(k) match

ESOP

Paid time off

Job summary

TKDA, a 100% employee-owned firm, is seeking a process engineer to lead multidisciplinary projects in mining, mineral processing, and heavy industry. You will develop PFDs, P&IDs, mass/energy balances, and design criteria while coordinating with mechanical, electrical, and environmental teams.

You will mentor junior engineers, set design standards, and drive continuous improvement, safety, and efficiency across complex facilities. Domestic travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related field.
• Experience as lead engineer on multidisciplinary industrial projects.
• Strong knowledge of process design, hydraulics, piping, pumping, bulk solids handling, equipment selection, and safety.
• Experience with PFDs, P&IDs, process calculations, and engineering specifications.
• Excellent communication, leadership and project coordination skills.
• Willingness to travel to facilities and project sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead process engineering for mining, mineral processing, aggregate, metals, and heavy industry.
• Develop PFDs, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, and design criteria.
• Design and specify industrial process systems including piping, pumps, conveyors, dust collection, water treatment.
• Perform hydraulic calculations, equipment sizing, analyses, and evaluations.
• Develop equipment specs and procurement packages.
• Identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements for safety and efficiency.
• Develop project scope, budgets, schedules, and work plans.
• Coordinate with disciplines (mechanical, electrical, etc.).
• Provide technical oversight and QA of deliverables.
• Support in managing client expectations.
• Participate in design reviews and readiness activities.
• Engage with clients, site visits, and proposals.
• Mentor junior engineers.
• Establish standards and quality procedures.
• Contribute to best practices and knowledge sharing.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills

Lead engineer

Process design

PFDs/P&IDs

Hydraulic systems

Industrial pumping

Bulk solids handling

Equipment selection

Process safety

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Job description

Location and Work Arrangement

Our preference is for this position to be based out of Duluth, MN or Bloomington, MN; however, we will consider candidates residing within greater Minnesota and Wisconsin if experience and qualifications align with this position and market development initiatives. TKDA offers flexible hybrid work arrangements, with employees typically working three days in the office and two days remotely, in alignment with business needs. Regular travel to TKDA offices, project locations, industry-specific conferences will be required along with team events for remote candidates to foster collaboration, strengthen relationships, and support project success.

What You'll Do

Process Engineering & Design

• Lead process engineering efforts for mining, mineral processing, aggregate, metals, and heavy industrial projects.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), mass and energy balances, and process design criteria.
• Design and specify industrial process systems including: process piping systems, slurry transport systems, pumping and dewatering systems, bulk solids handling systems, conveying systems, ore handling and crushing facilities, material storage and transfer systems, dust collection and ventilation systems, water treatment and process water systems, or utility systems supporting industrial operations.
• Perform hydraulic calculations, equipment sizing, process analyses, and system evaluations.
• Develop equipment specifications and technical procurement packages for pumps, conveyors, tanks, crushers, screens, piping systems, and related process equipment.
• Evaluate facility bottlenecks and recommend process improvements that enhance safety, reliability, throughput, and operational efficiency.

Project Leadership

• Develop project scope, budgets, schedules, and engineering work plans.
• Coordinate activities with mechanical, structural, electrical, instrumentation, civil, and environmental disciplines.
• Provide technical oversight and quality review of engineering deliverables.
• Support project managers in managing technical scope and client expectations.
• Participate in design reviews, hazard assessments, constructability reviews, and operational readiness activities.

Client Management & Business Development

• Work directly with clients to understand operational challenges and identify engineering solutions.
• Participate in client meetings, site visits, and facility assessments.
• Support proposal development, scope definition, and fee estimates.
• Assist in the development of long-term client relationships and identification of future opportunities.
• Represent the firm at client presentations, industry conferences, and professional organizations.

Technical Leadership

• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers.
• Establish engineering standards, design practices, and quality procedures.
• Contribute to process engineering best practices across the organization.
• Promote innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing within the engineering team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, metallurgical engineering, mining engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Experience serving as a lead engineer on multidisciplinary industrial projects.
• Strong understanding of: process design methodologies, hydraulic systems, process piping design, industrial pumping systems, bulk solids handling, industrial equipment selection, and process safety principles.
• Experience with PFDs, P&IDs, process calculations, and engineering specifications.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project coordination skills.
• Ability to travel periodically to active industrial facilities and project sites.

Advantageous Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) with twelve or more years of progressive engineering experience in mining, mineral processing, bulk materials handling, industrial manufacturing, or similar heavy industrial environments.
• Experience designing facilities for: mining and mineral processing, aggregate operations, metals processing, cement manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, or material handling and transportation systems.
• Experience with slurry pipelines and abrasive process systems.
• Knowledge of process simulation and modeling software.
• Familiarity with industrial control systems and instrumentation.
• Experience supporting commissioning and startup activities.
• Previous consulting engineering experience.
• Leadership experience managing engineering teams or large project scopes.

Join Our 100% Employee-Owned Firm

At our company, every employee is an owner. From the front desk to the corner office, every one of our 430+ professionals thrive on collaboration and holistic development. Our success is collective, and so are the rewards.

Comprehensive Benefits

• Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one
• Annual Incentive Plan: Eligible for discretionary bonuses
• HSA Contributions: Receive monthly employer contributions if you choose an HSA-eligible plan
• 401(k) Match: Get employer matching on your 401(k) deferrals
• ESOP: Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan, funded entirely by company profits
• Paid Time Off: Accrue PTO based on your professional experience and enjoy eight paid holidays per year

Upon receiving a formal offer, you will get a personalized Total Compensation Overview (TCO) to see how everything adds up and what it looks like to be part of our community.

TKDA is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, all applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future visa sponsorship needs or requirements. TKDA does not sponsor any type of employment visas, including but not limited to H‑1B, F‑1 OPT/CPT, TN, or other work authorization programs.

Pre-Employment Screening

Upon acceptance of a conditional offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete a standard pre-employment background screening, which consists of Social Security verification, educational verification, review of criminal convictions, and driving history.