Are you ready to move your career forward and help shape our company’s and customers’ futures?
If you aspire to challenge yourself, work with the best in the industry and join a successful team where you can make a meaningful contribution, then we invite you to join us at Ketjen Corporation, a provider of advanced catalyst solutions to leading producers in the petrochemical, refining, and specialty chemicals industries. Together, we can create a legacy marked by innovation, excitement, and energy.
Are you inspired by “what’s next”? So are we.
When you join the Ketjen team, you contribute to a better tomorrow. You will play a role in powering many of the world’s largest and most critical industries, from energy and communications to transportation and electronics. We are putting innovation to work to improve people’s lives and we want YOU to be a part of it.
Ketjen Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Albemarle Corporation, is seeking an Operations Engineer to support the Vespa Unit at our facility in Bayport, TX.
The primary responsibility of the operations engineer is to monitor the performance of production units and provide technical support for the production area. The engineer will help ensure that the production units operate safely, comply with environmental regulations/permits, meet quality specifications, achieve production targets, and operate efficiently.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide technical support and solutions to help achieve safety, environmental, quality, production, and cost goals for the unit.
• Monitor and optimize production quality, rates, and yields. Strive to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Analyze existing process problems and define robust and innovative solutions with limited oversight.
• Use multiple tools available to troubleshoot complex issues in the unit including process and quality data, engineering calculations, and statistics.
• Develop and implement key unit improvement projects focused on safety, environmental, quality, cost improvement and productivity.
• Provide operations review/support of capital projects in the assigned production units.
• Support start-up and commissioning efforts, as assigned, on larger projects.
• Initiate or review management of change (MOC) documentation for changes in the unit.
• Support investigations and root cause analysis (RCA) of unplanned events. Develop/implement preventative and corrective actions.
• Participate in safety programs and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Research unit capabilities for future business opportunities and product specification determination.
• Develop and maintain documentation related to production processes and procedures.
• Support accounting of material inventories and transfers on site.
• Provide on call support for area production units one weekend per month.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a chemical manufacturing plant.
• Solid academic background and work history.
• Practical knowledge concerning design and operation of common process equipment such as pumps, blowers, heat exchangers, piping, etc.
• Desire to work in an operating unit on a day-to-day issues and identify / solve long term problems.
• Proven record of working with production operators, supervisors, maintenance technicians, etc.
• Basic instrumentation knowledge (e.g. level, flow, pressure, etc.).
• Excellent software and computer skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and goals.
• Self-Driven and goal oriented. Encourages teamwork.

Desired Qualifications:

• Batch and continuous operations experience.
• Experience in process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills to analyze data and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience in advanced statistical software such as Minitab and Northwest Analytics.
• Experience using PI data historian, PI Asset Framework.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly diagnose and resolve complex operational issues.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to lead and manage projects from conception to completion.
• Experience in start-up and commissioning of new equipment.
• Basic process control knowledge – loop tuning.
• Basic knowledge of Distributed Control Systems.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies.
• Knowledge of industry regulations and standards such as ISO and OSHA.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Apply today and spark success in your career and help Ketjen unleash the potential of advanced chemistry for industries that power the world.Apply today and help Ketjen unleash the POTENTIAL of advanced chemistry for industries that power the world.