Process Engineer
Location: Birmingham, AL
Employment Type: Full-Time or Contract
Experience Level: 5 – 30+ years
Company Overview
Our client is an industry-leading EPC firm delivering design/build solutions for heavy industrial projects across North America. Their work spans pulp & paper, chemical, manufacturing, and power generation industries, with project values ranging from $10 million to $200 million. They take pride in executing every phase of our projects—engineering, procurement, and construction—with precision, safety, and integrity.
Position Summary
The Process Engineer is responsible for the development and delivery of process engineering design packages on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality. This role requires technical excellence in process design and coordination, as well as the ability to interface with clients, lead design efforts, and support field execution.
Ideal candidates will have broad industrial experience and the versatility to work across multiple sectors within a fast-paced, project-driven EPC environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Promote a culture of safety, incorporating safety-related design principles into all process engineering work.
- Plan, organize, and oversee process engineering activities, ensuring quality, schedule adherence, and budget performance.
- Develop process design criteria, PFDs, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, and hydraulic calculations.
- Specify and size process equipment, prepare data sheets, and assist with bid package development and technical bid evaluations.
- Coordinate with clients to develop and clarify scope, design requirements, and technical expectations.
- Interface with project management, construction, and other disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil, controls) to ensure integrated project delivery.
- Support estimating and proposal development, providing process scope, deliverables, and preliminary design data.
- Review vendor documents and reconcile against process design documentation for technical alignment.
- Perform and check engineering calculations, reports, and design studies to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable codes and standards.
- Participate in HAZOPs, design reviews, and constructability sessions to ensure safe, operable, and maintainable designs.
- Provide field support during construction, startup, and commissioning, including troubleshooting and performance testing.
- Assist with process optimization and system reliability improvements based on operational feedback.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Process Engineering from an accredited institution (Master’s preferred).
- 5–30+ years of progressive process engineering experience on heavy industrial projects in EPC or plant environments.
- Demonstrated experience in PFD/P&ID development, heat and material balances, equipment specification, and process simulation.
- Strong familiarity with industry codes, standards, and safety regulations (ASME, API, NFPA, OSHA).
- Experience in pulp & paper, chemical, manufacturing, or power facilities strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with process simulation software (Aspen Plus, HYSYS, AFT Fathom/Arrow, etc.) and design tools (AutoCAD, SmartPlant P&ID, or MicroStation).
- Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to guide junior engineers and collaborate across disciplines.
- Professional Engineer (PE) registration preferred or ability to obtain.
- Willingness to travel for project-related activities as required.
Compensation and Benefits
- Competitive compensation based on experience and project role.
- Full-time employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off.
- Contract roles available for senior professionals seeking project-based flexibility.
Why Join
- Contribute to major design/build industrial projects that shape North America’s infrastructure.
- Join a team recognized for technical excellence, innovation, and construction integration.
- Thrive in a safety-first culture that values teamwork, accountability, and career development.