Lead Process Engineer

Company:

INEOS Oligomers USA LLC

Organizational context and Job Purpose

Organizational Context:

INEOS is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, speciality chemicals and oil products. Comprising 36 individual businesses, we operate 194 facilities in 29 countries throughout the world. 

With LAO manufacturing facilities in USA, Canada and Belgium, INEOS Oligomers is one of the largest merchant suppliers of Linear Alpha Olefins (LAO), which are used as co-monomers in polyethylene manufacture as well as in surfactants, lubricants and oil drilling fluids. Our technology has a clear competitive advantage over our competitors. Further developments of the technology are planned to be an integral part of this project.

Our markets are growing worldwide. Through selective investments in new assets and new technology, we intend to capture this growth to develop our business and grow with our customers. As part of this exciting growth strategy, we are investing in a new world scale production facility located in the Middle East. The plant capacity will be 420 KTA and is planned to come on-line in 2027.

Purpose of the job:

Under the direction of the Process Design Manager the Lead Process Engineer will work with the project team and engineering contractors to ensure that the process design and control systems design goals for the plant are met from inception to start up. The Lead Process Engineer will work on all aspects of the project development and execution including equipment selection, plant layout, equipment arrangement, constructability, HAZOP, SIL analysis, regulatory permitting, implementation of value improving practices, development of operating procedures, pre-commissioning and commissioning plans and plant start-up. This position will require extensive (over 60%) international travel to facilitate in-person involvement throughout the engineering and start-up phases. This will be an expatriate position located in multiple international locations throughout project.

Environment/Context:

Internal factors:

• Safety Performance (SHE)
• Attention to process hazards inherent to the process
• Project cost, schedule, and construction plans
• Quality of engineering standards, designs, specifications and other requirements
• Achieve business objectives for capacity, product quality and distribution
• Design for required plant reliability & availability within budget constraints
• Achieve project cost targets with novel simplified design of LAO technology.

External factors:

• Safety Performance (SHE)
• Market for contractors & availability of staff
• Purchasing environment for process equipment and bulks
• Local environmental permitting and regulations
• Site partner interface and relationships

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Accountability 1: Lead process engineering activities

Most important activities:

• Influence philosophy development, design, documentation, and implementation.
• Participate in the control system engineering activities for a new plant.
• Conduct reviews of basic and detailed engineering documents to guarantee performance of the plant.
• Ensure safety is designed into the asset in line with minimum requirements as summarized in the Oligomers Process Safety Handbook.
• Support hazard analysis of project design including assessing and implementing hazard analysis recommendation.
• Tailor process design to ensure business needs are met.
• Coordinate with EPCM on progress against budget and schedule.
• Ensure manufacturing team input is incorporated into process design.
• Proactive and “no-surprises” communication.

Accountability 2: Front-end loading organization phase

Most important activities:

• Deep involvement of engineering and design stages, with in-person involvement at necessary locations, globally.
• Consult with contractors to identify risks, handle questions, and clarify misunderstandings.
• Train contractor staff on INEOS LAO technology and organize team for efficient process design activity.

Accountability 3: DEFINE Stage Engineering

Most important activities:

• Lead the design phase engineering activities with support and input from the design manager on typical activities but not limited to process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment lists, and specifications.
• Oversee the design of integral process safety systems including but not limited to safety interlocks, safety devices, including specification and schematics.
• Participate in process safety evaluations as per industry standard, including SIL analysis and HAZOP process.
• Assist other engineering discipline design efforts such as plot plan design, equipment spacing and arrangement, constructability, piping layout and design, and preliminary mechanical, instrumentation, and electrical engineering.
• Work with procurement to prepare support preparation of cost estimates and obtain equipment bids for the project.
• Lead the development of design basis documentation.
• Lead development of piping and instrument diagrams for the process, finalized by end of DEFINE Stage.
• Develop process control philosophy, develop safety interlock philosophy and schematics.
• Solicit input from operations and maintenance organizations of current LAO operations.
• Prepare technical process documents required for project sanctioning.

Accountability 4: EXECUTE Stage

Most important activities:

• Execute engineering discipline design with minimal change to process design.
• Support pre-commissioning and commissioning / start-up planning as required.
• Participate in construction activity with punch list and field review as required.
• Prepare process documentation for hand-over to plant operations.

Skills & Knowledge Required

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering required, and
• Minimum seven (7) years process design and chemical operations experience
• Experience in LAO and/or PAO process technology is a plus
• Experience in successfully developing conceptual and process for major capital projects
• Experience with in-house or contracted process engineering and process design supervision
• Track record of safety leadership

Skills/Competencies

Technical Skills

• Innovative process design skills and solid understanding of chemical engineering unit operations
• Deep understanding of chemical process control and safety system design
• Strong computational and data analysis skills
• Strong IT skills with process modeling and process simulation software
• Strong problem-solving skills.

Behavioral Skills

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Build networks to enhance effectiveness ad share knowledge
• Self-motivated, self-starter; able to work with minimal supervision
• Team builder, problem solver and change agent, steadfast dedication to getting the job done.
• Manages multiple complex tasks simultaneously, with ability to prioritize and identify and focus on critical issues

ADA Physical requirements, visual acuity requirements and environmental conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and perform tasks requiring repetitive use of hands.  The employee must occasionally walk, stand and travel by car, airplane or other means.   Exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Employee must have the ability to see written documents, computer screens and to adjust focus.

Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discriminations in sound.

Work Environment:  This job is performed mainly in a temperature controlled office environment.

Our culture is one of honesty and integrity with an emphasis on safety, health and environmental performance.On our team, people are acknowledged for embracing new practices that help create real value for customers.