Sr. Process Production Support Engineer

Burrow Global has an immediate need for a Sr. Process Production Support Engineer for a long-term assignment with a petrochemical plant on the east side of Houston.    Candidates for this position must have at least 10 years of chemical engineering experience providing process and production support in a petrochemical environment.

Job Overview:

• The incumbent will be responsible for technical support of the Polybutadiene production units and other activities related to owned assets; monitor/track unit performance, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, PI Process Book, SAP, Document
• Is the steward of the process chemistry at the site. Deeply understands the chemistry and ensures that the process is run in full compliance with the standard operating procedure. Where deviation is needed or requested works closely with R&D to gain approval.
• Candidates must have a significant understanding of how the chemistry impacts the end user product performance.
• Is involved in the daily production meeting and works with the team to raise and expedite resolution on any process issues that arise.
• The position provides daily support and input to monitor, measure, optimize and improve the production process
• Provides support and direction to 3^rd party site service provider on contractual matters, contract valued at $10MM/yr
• Leads the MOC process for the organization process and equipment change requirements
• Candidates for this position will be the acting Plant Manager during times of Plant Manager absences, including covering as primary contract manager contact with the primary facility this plant is part of, month end close, and management reporting

Daily Activities:

• Daily Monitoring- Ensure reliable operation and on-spec product, and search for problems that could prevent the ability to maintain delivery of on spec product and capacity -
• Troubleshooting- pressure surveys, temperature surveys, identifying and correcting potential problems, determining need and frequency of exchanger cleaning utilizing root cause analysis to eliminate repeat deviations and failures
• Responsible for engineering calculations- size control valves, size relief valves, size pumps, calculate pressure drops, size piping for small projects, perform heat/material balances, size/rate heat exchangers, calculate fluid properties, determine system volumes/residence times
• Mass/volume balance – Update spreadsheet for material balances. Ensure calculations reflect current operating conditions and are correct. Provide recommendations to correct mass/volume balance discrepancies
• Work with operations to ensure that they - Follow safe work practices while maintaining quality, ensure reliable operation, make on-spec product, maintain capacity, and increase profitability
• Make data driven recommendations to management for issue resolution and process and site improvements
• Support turnaround/maintenance activities such as: Chemical cleaning supervision, vessel inspection, shutdown/startup coverage, including revision/development of operating procedures, sample procurement, and recommendations for maintenance (exchanger cleaning, screen/filter cleaning, etc.)
• Additional Responsibilities: Act as site MOC Administrator, initiate MOCs, and lead/participate in Process Hazards Analysis, PSSR, HAZOP, LOPA, Track PHA/LOPA findings. Define and execute small (non-capital) projects, assist groups with capital project designs and installation.
• Determine best process improvements to produce specialty products
• Lead analytical projects to optimize asset performance and reduce bottlenecks. Maintain availability/reliability tools and analysis; provide data and presentation material for weekly and monthly reports
• Maintain professional relationship with 3^rd party site operations to facilitate optimization of plant performance
• Understand, support, and comply, with all plant safety policies and procedures, including the use of loss control software
• Identify activities to increase product quality and enhance profits and positive cash flow (currently $8MM/yr)
• Provide leadership for reliability and improvement projects in supporting the annual project budget ($3MM/yr)
• In the absence of the Plant Manager, manage all aspects of the plant, including assignment and decision-making authority

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, and at least 10 years of chemical engineering experience in the petrochemical or refining industry preferred as a process engineer. Previous experience with Polybutadiene chemistry is desired
• Chemical Engineering knowledge: heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid operations, heat/material balances, chemistry, physics, economic fundamentals, and basic chemical engineering fundamentals, required.
• Computer knowledge: use of Microsoft software including spreadsheets (i.e. Excel), DCS control data historians (i.e. PI Process book), and be able to understand new systems as they come (i.e. SAP)
• Assertive; Able to be an effective steward of the process chemistry. Gains the respect of the operators, management team and R&D teams
• Good problem-solving skills: good physical fitness as the job requires access on/into towers, vessels, and other equipment
• Work evenings/nights during turnarounds or other special circumstances where 24-hour technical coverage is needed.

Salary : $3 - $10