Chemical Process Engineer

Chemical Process Engineer 
Rochester, NY
Work Location Type: In-Office with the opportunity to work hybrid or remote.
Perm Role

Responsible for full lifecycle chemical process system design, including development, scale-up from pilot data, capacity expansion improvements, detailed engineering, procurement support, construction oversight, and commissioning support for client projects across specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, petrochemicals, polymers, and related industries.

Responsibilities

Process Engineering

• Develop project Basis of Design with customer and internal teams, including standards, regulations, and process requirements
• Create Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and complete mass & energy balances and utility calculations
• Develop Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) with CAD support
• Size/specify equipment (reactors, heat exchangers, evaporators, tanks, pumps, vacuum systems, etc.)
• Define instrumentation, controls, piping, valves, fittings, and associated components
• Perform pressure relief scenario analysis and relief device sizing
• Support HAZOP/PHA meetings (remote or on-site)
• Provide startup, commissioning, and post-startup technical support at customer sites

Project Engineering

• Support Project Manager and senior engineers throughout project execution
• Participate in design reviews, model reviews, hazard reviews, and customer meetings
• Coordinate with equipment engineering and operations teams for correct specification and delivery
• Prepare technical specifications, bid packages, and evaluate vendor quotations
• Procure equipment, instrumentation, and piping components
• Guide CAD team in developing 3D models, layouts, and detailed drawings (equipment layouts, piping isometrics, structural drawings, BOMs, etc.)
• Review and approve engineering drawings for accuracy and compliance
• Prepare FAT/SAT documentation and operating manuals (BOD, process description, equipment/instrument/line/valve lists, tie points, lubrication schedules, spare parts lists, OEM documentation)

Construction & Commissioning

• Visit suppliers and fabricators to monitor manufacturing and ensure compliance with specifications
• Support and witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and resolve punch list items
• Oversee modular system fabrication and construction quality

Other Duties

• Support application engineers with equipment sizing, costing, and layout estimation when required

Requirements

Education

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering (required)

Experience

• Minimum 5 years in chemical process system design (heat transfer, fluid flow, mass transfer)
• Experience in equipment design, instrumentation, and piping systems
• Project engineering/project management experience is a plus

Technical Skills

• Ability to perform process calculations (mass/energy balances, flow, pressure, temperature, unit conversions, etc.)
• Ability to interpret PFDs, P&IDs, engineering specifications, and drawings
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Preferred: Aspen Plus (or similar), Aspen Exchanger Design (or similar), Microsoft Project (or similar)

Language & Communication

• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• Ability to communicate technical concepts with customers, vendors, and contractors
• Ability to write technical specifications and engineering documentation

Reasoning & Abilities

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to apply practical engineering judgment and follow written/oral/diagram instructions
• Must be self-directed while working effectively in teams

Additional Requirements

• No direct supervisory responsibility; may monitor/approve vendor/contractor work
• Light travel required (<5%) to customer sites, vendors, and fabrication facilities
• Willingness to work in office, workshop, and chemical/pharma plant environments
• Must follow site safety requirements during plant visits

Physical Demands

• May require standing, walking, sitting, climbing, stooping, kneeling, and handling equipment
• Ability to communicate verbally and audibly in technical environments
• Requires close, color, peripheral, and depth vision with focus adjustment capability
• Exposure to office, fabrication workshops, and industrial plant environments

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based engineering work with potential to work from home on Mondays & Fridays.
• Occasional visits to fabrication shops and vendor facilities
• Occasional visits to chemical and pharmaceutical plant sites for inspection, commissioning, and troubleshooting
• Must comply with safety regulations at industrial sites