Plant Process Engineer

Renewable Biofuels, Inc. (RBF) is a vertically integrated global energy company focused on developing, owning and operating large scale biodiesel facilities. By turning renewable resources like vegetable oils, animal fats and grease into a fuel that can be blended and used by existing diesel vehicles, home heating systems and power plants for electricity generation we can provide a sustainable, environmentally safe source of energy while reducing life cycle carbon emissions and generation of green house gasses.

Position Overview:

RBF, located in Port Neches, TX has an immediate opening for a Plant Process Engineer. This position is needed to provide all engineering and technical support related to the plant while ensuring continual process improvement, optimization and reliability. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, manage problem troubleshooting and definition, project design, development, and oversight. Assist with plant safety matters and employee training. Perform all other Plant Process Engineer duties as assigned.

Applicants must have permanent work authorization. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Responsibilities:

• Identify productivity improvement opportunities to benefit plant operations. Areas of emphasis include: manufacturing cost reduction, waste handling and reduction, raw material and utility consumption/cost/supply, process reliability and capacity expansions.
• Conduct evaluations of plant operations and utility systems, screen options, identify and investigate process bottlenecks and constraints, map system capability and rank solutions through cost-benefit analyses.
• Identify, develop and design improved operating and control strategies to achieve productivity objectives. Develop tracking programs and metrics for plant optimization and efficiency; monitor the targets against budget/expected performance.
• Analyze plant performance, develop and install systems that ensure plant operators and line management understand the optimal run-point for each process to achieve efficiency targets.
• Develop project scope, support project cost estimating, prepare funding request documents, and propose an execution strategy that best matches the resources and benefits case. Execute productivity projects as a member of a project team.
• Work with the plant staff and line management to identify, communicate and adopt and transfer best practices. Engage the operations team to identify opportunities, report the ideas, and screen and prioritize for implementation. Support and execute plant productivity assessments.
• Provide support for the plant process, safety, and environmental activities: implement management of change, participate in operating plant hazard review revalidations and complete action items, conduct project hazards reviews, and support permitting.
• Provide process engineering support to the Port Neches staff to help troubleshoot and resolve operating and reliability problems, and product and raw material quality issues.
• Assist with process safety management (PSM) conducting process hazard analysis (PHA), management of change (MOC), and emergency relief design.
• Assist with project management including project scope, equipment and process design, technical evaluation, equipment procurement, project implementation, project cost management, and as appropriate update process flow diagrams (PFD's), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID's), maintenance records, and PSM equipment files.
• Provide assistance for safety initiatives and environmental operations and projects. Perform activities following OSHA and EPA regulations and standard engineering practice
• Research and ensure projects are in compliance with all Federal and State regulations.
• Develop and maintain drawing and documentation standards.
• Performs all other duties as assigned while working effectively with shifting priorities, adjusting to the demands of other departments for the overall benefit of the organization.

Qualifications:

Experience/Education:

• BS in Engineering required, chemical or mechanical degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years working experience in a plant engineering, operations, or design role.
• Prior experience running plant trials and conducting process plant optimization preferred.
• Prior experience working in a chemical or petrochemical plant desired.
• Prior experience supporting execution of capital projects including scope development, design, execution, and start-up/commissioning.
• Prior experience using process simulation and modeling applications (e.g., Chemcad, ASPEN).
• Exposure to cost engineering and evaluating benefits.
• Familiarity with process safety tools and risk analysis.

Required Business Skills:

• Ability to work in groups, interacting with plant operators, laboratory technicians, maintenance and I&E technicians, production engineers, plant supervision, and line management.
• Ability to generate precise and accurate data/reports without significant supervision; ability to error-check own work products.
• Must be flexible, focused and have the ability to work well in a lean, fast-paced work environment.
• Strong project management, analytical, communication, presentation skills, including advanced technical design and related computer program proficiency.
• Excellent command of the English language, both verbally and written.
• Must have high level of interpersonal skills, demonstrated poise, tact and diplomacy.

Essential Physical Abilities:

• Ability to work outdoors in an industrial environment.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds, climb stairs, work in confined spaces.
• Ability to meet highest attendance requirements.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Ability to use personal computer, calculator, etc.

Environment:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by a consultant to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is exposed to weather conditions or above moderate noise levels.

General Information:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of consultants in this position.