ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Principal Process Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Cimarron

Materials & Process Principal Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Posting/External Job Title Materials & Process Principal Engineer Location Houston, TX 77058 US (Primary) Remote/Onsite/Hybrid 100% Onsite Job Type Full-time # of Hires Needed 1 Education Bachelor ...

Cimarron

Materials & Process Principal Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Posting/External Job Title Materials & Process Principal Engineer Location Houston, TX 77058 US (Primary) Remote/Onsite/Hybrid 100% Onsite Job Type Full-time # of Hires Needed 1 Education Bachelor ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPrincipal Process Engineer JobsPrincipal Process Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Principal Process Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$83.1K

$143.3K

$174.3K

How much do principal process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal process engineer in Houston, TX is $143,324.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,100.00 and $161,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal process engineer?

A Principal Process Engineer is a senior-level engineering professional responsible for designing, optimizing, and overseeing industrial processes within a company. They lead complex projects, provide technical guidance to engineering teams, and ensure that processes meet safety, quality, and efficiency standards. Principal Process Engineers often collaborate with other departments to implement process improvements and solve technical challenges. Their expertise is crucial in industries such as chemical, manufacturing, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals.

What is a principal process engineer?

A principal process engineer works with a team to analyze the efficiency of company processes and identify potential improvements. In this career, you usually work in a large production or manufacturing facility. You must have excellent technical, organizational, and analytical skills. Your job duties include helping management in the development of schedules, budgets, or guidelines for your department, overseeing other engineers, collaborating to support process solutions, and creating simulations, diagrams, and project plans. You also use engineering computer software to design process plans and review data to calculate constant improvements. Qualifications for a career as a principal process engineer include a bachelor's degree in engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal process engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Process Engineer, you need deep expertise in chemical or process engineering, advanced problem-solving skills, and typically a relevant engineering degree with substantial industry experience. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen HYSYS or CHEMCAD), Six Sigma or Lean certifications, and knowledge of regulatory standards are important technical assets. Leadership, effective communication, and project management skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure efficient process design, regulatory compliance, and successful cross-functional collaboration on complex engineering projects.

How does a principal process engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during large-scale projects?

A Principal Process Engineer often acts as a key liaison between engineering, operations, project management, and quality assurance teams. They lead process design reviews, facilitate technical discussions, and ensure that project deliverables align with organizational goals and regulatory standards. Effective communication and coordination are essential, as they guide multidisciplinary teams through troubleshooting, optimization, and implementation phases. This collaborative role ensures that process improvements are feasible, cost-effective, and sustainable across the project lifecycle.

What is the difference between Principal Process Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Process EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering; extensive experienceBachelor's degree in Engineering; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentLead projects, oversee process design, and mentor teams in manufacturing or chemical plantsAssist in process design, troubleshooting, and optimization under supervision
Industry UsageCommon in large manufacturing, chemical, and oil & gas companiesFound across various industries including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and energy

The Principal Process Engineer typically holds advanced credentials and leads complex projects, focusing on strategic process improvements. In contrast, the Process Engineer is more involved in supporting and executing process tasks. Both roles are essential in process industries, but the Principal Process Engineer operates at a higher level of responsibility and expertise.

More about Principal Process Engineer jobs

What are popular job titles related to Principal Process Engineer jobs in Houston, TX?

For Principal Process Engineer jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Process Engineer jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Process Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:

Principal Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Process Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,324 per year, or $68.9 per hour.

Principal Process Safety Engineer

Airswift

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Airswift is looking for a Principal Process Safety Engineer to work with one of our major clients in Houston, TX for a 12-month assignment.
Position Overview
This Principal Process Safety Engineer opportunity offers the chance to play a key technical role across major LNG and energy infrastructure projects. The Principal Process Safety Engineer will support engineering delivery from early project development through execution, helping to maintain technical integrity and alignment with project specifications, safety expectations, and regulatory requirements. This Principal Process Safety Engineer position is well suited to a technically strong professional with deep process safety and engineering design experience. The Principal Process Safety Engineer will also contribute to complex project reviews, technical assessments, and the development of engineering standards. For candidates seeking a high-impact Principal Process Safety Engineer role, this position offers broad project exposure and meaningful technical leadership.
Role Context
This role sits within the LNG and energy infrastructure sector and supports large-scale engineering projects across development, design, construction, and commissioning phases. The successful candidate will coordinate with functional engineering teams and other discipline engineering groups, and may be required to travel to project sites, supplier facilities, contractor offices, or industry events as part of project delivery and technical review activities.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead and facilitate the technical development of LNG and energy infrastructure projects across early development and project execution phases.
  • Coordinate engineering scopes with process and multidisciplinary engineering teams to support effective project delivery.
  • Maintain compliance with project specifications, engineering guidelines, philosophies, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Lead or participate in technical reviews including 3D model reviews, HAZID reviews, HAZOP reviews, and other engineering design assessments.
  • Support the design, construction, and commissioning of large-scale infrastructure projects while maintaining technical integrity throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Conduct engineering assessments of system issues, identify root causes, and help develop corrective actions.
  • Represent the company during reviews, inspections, witness testing, technical assessments, presentations, and relevant industry workgroups or consortia.
Qualifications & Experience
  • 4-year degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
  • 10+ years of related experience.
  • Strong knowledge of engineering design, blueprint and schematic interpretation, root cause analysis, regulatory compliance, safety management, and project or programme management.
  • Experience interpreting and applying international industry codes and standards including ASME B31.3, NFPA 59A, EN 1473, API, ASTM, and ISO.
  • Demonstrated experience managing scopes of work for piping engineering and design teams.
  • Deep knowledge of AIV and FIV principles and screening, including current industry approaches to mitigation.
  • Strong technical writing and communication skills with the ability to develop and update engineering standards and specifications.
  • Active participation in industry standards committees such as API, ASME, or PIP.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) licence preferred.
About the Company
This company operates within the energy and infrastructure sector, delivering complex LNG and related engineering projects. The business is involved in major project development and execution activities, with a focus on technical quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across large-scale facilities and infrastructure programmes.
About Airswift
Airswift is an international workforce solutions provider within the energy, process and infrastructure industries. Airswift serves as a strategic partner to our clients, offering a turnkey workforce solution to capture and deliver the top talent needed to complete successful projects by aligning with the unique needs of our clients. With over 1000 employees and 9,000 contractors operating in over 60 countries, our geographical reach and pool of talent available is unmatched in the industry and the level of experience, exposure, and expertise that the organization has is unparalleled. If you would like to be considered for this role and would like further details, please apply now!
#LI-JG2

Apply