POSITION SUMMARY

This Research Process Engineer is responsible for driving process improvement and process development projects focused on implementation of new technologies in existing production and piloting facilities. This role will supervise the evaluation of existing production equipment and recommend improvements in support of the production of chemicals, food ingredients, and advanced biofuels. This position will provide mass and energy balances, P&IDs, and economic evaluation, as well as supporting documentation and project reports, and will work with a variety of groups, including vendors, contractors, Operations, Commercial, and R&D teams.

Skills and Proficiencies

• A master’s degree in chemical engineering, or bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with 5 years of experience in process operations and design and/or piloting improvement projects in the food and/or chemical industry, or equivalent is required.
• Experience with a range of unit operations, such as fermentation, filtration, centrifugation, liquid-liquid extraction, distillation, evaporation, carbon treatment, ion exchange, chromatographic separation, drying equipment, solids handling, enzymatic treatments, and varied chemical reactors.
• Experience with evaluation and implementation of new technologies into existing production facilities is desired.
• Understanding of complex system interactions and ability to identify the root causes of process irregularities.
• Well-developed analytical skills to analyze and interpret scientific data during design and evaluation of chemical processes.
• Good written and oral communication skills to effectively communicate with managers, engineering, R&D colleagues, and business teams via reports and presentations.
• Strong organizational skills to manage large amounts of data and multiple projects.
• Able to function within matrix project management environment.
• Able to develop new knowledge and skills to deliver on project objectives.
• Strong leadership skills to encourage open collaboration, provide expertise, and positively contribute to Research teams

Position Requirements

• Must be willing to travel, as travel to multiple locations is expected, as well as willing to switch to a shift schedule, if needed for plant trials.
• Comfortable managing/participating in various projects concurrently.
• Must work collaboratively and flexibly, adapting to changing project demands while maintaining focus on safety and quality.
• Actively participate in fostering diversity and inclusivity.
• Must work within established company and laboratory safety guidelines.
• Willingness to formally and informally mentor junior colleagues to assist with skill development.
• Willingness to spend time in plant areas, tolerate extreme temperatures, walk long distances, stand, climb stairs and ladders, and move through close spaces

The following represents most duties to be performed by the position but is not meant to be all-inclusive and will not prevent other duties from being assigned when appropriate.

• Conduct engineering studies and recommend process changes for industrial food, industrial chemical, and advanced biofuels processes.
• Evaluate production and pilot process upsets to determine root causes and recommend process changes to improve performance.
• Prepare mass and energy balances of unit operations or whole plants.
• Assess various performance specifications for key unit operations or equipment.
• Design of experiments for plant and pilot trials, or to provide technical support to existing facilities.
• Work with CoE, plant engineers, R&D engineers, vendors, and contractors to set up equipment and support pilot or plant trials in industrial environments.
• Write detailed reports and prepare comprehensive presentations.
• Plan and execute engineering and research projects, including implementation and supervision of proposed changes in the field as needed.
• Function as a workstream lead and risk owner for assigned project objectives, including active participation in development of project work plans.
• Generate and advance new research ideas to project status through a phase-gated project management process.

Skills and Proficiencies

• A master’s degree in chemical engineering, or bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with 5 years of experience in process operations and design and/or piloting improvement projects in the food and/or chemical industry, or equivalent is required.
• Experience with a range of unit operations, such as fermentation, filtration, centrifugation, liquid-liquid extraction, distillation, evaporation, carbon treatment, ion exchange, chromatographic separation, drying equipment, solids handling, enzymatic treatments, and varied chemical reactors.
• Experience with evaluation and implementation of new technologies into existing production facilities is desired.
• Understanding of complex system interactions and ability to identify the root causes of process irregularities.
• Well-developed analytical skills to analyze and interpret scientific data during design and evaluation of chemical processes.
• Good written and oral communication skills to effectively communicate with managers, engineering, R&D colleagues, and business teams via reports and presentations.
• Strong organizational skills to manage large amounts of data and multiple projects.
• Able to function within matrix project management environment.
• Able to develop new knowledge and skills to deliver on project objectives.
• Strong leadership skills to encourage open collaboration, provide expertise, and positively contribute to Research teams.

Position Requirements

• Must be willing to travel, as travel to multiple locations is expected, as well as willing to switch to a shift schedule, if needed for plant trials.
• Comfortable managing/participating in various projects concurrently.
• Must work collaboratively and flexibly, adapting to changing project demands while maintaining focus on safety and quality.
• Actively participate in fostering diversity and inclusivity.
• Must work within established company and laboratory safety guidelines.
• Willingness to formally and informally mentor junior colleagues to assist with skill development.
• Willingness to spend time in plant areas, tolerate extreme temperatures, walk long distances, stand, climb stairs and ladders, and move through close spaces.