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Principal Process Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SI Group

Principal Process Engineer

Freeport, TX · On-site

As the Principal Process Engineer, reporting to the Director - Process Engineering, you will drive ... Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering * Minimum of 15 years of experience in chemical ...

SI Group

Principal Process Engineer

Freeport, TX · On-site

As the Principal Process Engineer, reporting to the Director - Process Engineering, you will drive ... Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering * Minimum of 15 years of experience in chemical ...

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Principal Process Scientist information

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How much do principal process scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal process scientist in the United States is $144,009.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,500.00 and $169,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal process scientist?

A Principal Process Scientist is a senior professional responsible for developing, optimizing, and overseeing manufacturing processes, typically in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or chemicals. They lead process development projects, ensure processes are efficient and compliant with regulations, and often mentor junior scientists. Their role involves designing experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to scale up processes from the laboratory to full production. Principal Process Scientists play a critical role in ensuring product quality and manufacturing efficiency.

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

To thrive as a Principal Process Scientist, you need an advanced degree in a scientific discipline, deep expertise in process development and optimization, and significant experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry. Familiarity with statistical process control, quality systems (like GMP), and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills set top performers apart, enabling them to lead teams and drive process improvements. These skills and qualities ensure robust, scalable, and compliant manufacturing processes that are vital for product quality and regulatory success.

What are some common challenges faced by principal process scientists when scaling up processes from the laboratory to full production?

Principal Process Scientists often encounter challenges when scaling up processes, such as ensuring reproducibility, managing variability in raw materials, and addressing differences in equipment and environmental conditions. These challenges require careful process optimization, risk assessment, and strong collaboration with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams. Effective communication and troubleshooting skills are essential to identify and solve issues that may not have been apparent during small-scale trials. Staying current with industry best practices and regulatory requirements is also vital for successful scale-up.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Process Scientist jobs?

For Principal Process Scientist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Principal Process Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,009 per year, or $69.2 per hour.

Principal Process Engineer - Fractionation

San Antonio, TX • On-site

Valero Energy
Oil and Gas Extraction • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Valero Energyexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Valero rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 72 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

72nd of 87 rated oil and gas companies

Job description

Description
Valero is looking for a Principal Process Engineer - Fractionation to join the Process Optimization & Support team at the Valero Headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. The Principal Process Engineer - Fractionation serves as Fractionation Subject Matter Expert providing best in class support for refinery optimization and project support.
Responsibilities may also include:
  • Reports to Technology Advisor, Fractionation and Crude units
  • Supports day-to-day routine optimization and troubleshooting distillation and Crude and Vacuum unit issues across the Refinery sites as needed.
  • Provides higher level troubleshooting and debottlenecking capability.
  • Responds to refinery requests for assistance.
  • Provide technical leadership to further develop Valero's Process Chemical treatment program.
  • Assists plants with investigation and implementation of strategic projects.
  • Assists in the development and application of distillation and Crude and Vacuum unit technologies across the Refinery sites.
  • Stays abreast of emerging technology in in Distillation, Crude and Vacuum units.
  • Assists with establishing Key Processing "Best Practices" to improve profitability, including: operating conditions, feedstock processing, hardware change recommendations, monitoring process conditions, and unit performance reporting/comparison (benchmarking).
  • Supports capital development process in technology selection and front-end engineering as requested.
  • Conducts regular site visits to assist in evaluation, monitoring, troubleshooting, process design, performance tests, and optimization.
  • Conducts site visits during turnarounds/outages to assist with tower inspections, scope development, and solution evaluations.
  • Provides training for Valero early career engineers; Crude/Vacuum, Intro/Advanced Distillation, Intern, and selected onsite training (Operations support and Installation/Inspection).
  • Manages projects ranging from $50k - $5M.
  • Acts as primary contact with and monitors performance of Consultants, Vendors, Construction Contractors, and Subcontractors, etc. employed for the projects.
  • Communicates formally and informally to management at the refinery.
  • Develops and releases monthly Progress Reports.
  • Resolves technical/commercial/schedule issues and conflicts.
  • Controls project changes and directs communication with the refinery management regarding changes and change control.

This position is salaried exempt status, which means you are not eligible for overtime pay.
Qualifications
  • Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degree or higher degree in Chemical Engineering required.
  • 15 years of process engineering experience in a refining or petroleum industry, including field experience with startups and operating plant troubleshooting required.
  • Field experience in P&IDs review, Instrument Identification, Unit operations, and troubleshooting-data acquisition required.
  • Field experience in troubleshooting fractionating towers and separators and in optimization of operating distillation columns required.
  • Experience with process design of fractionating internals and their hydraulic ratings required.
  • Ability to quickly assess unit/tower/separator performance issues, arrive at actionable recommendations and provide clear communications to operations, refinery leadership and corporate leadership required.
  • Able and willing to work on-site, in-person at the Valero San Antonio location, required.
  • Strong written and presentation skills is highly preferred.
  • Experience in primary crude fractionation operation, including desalting and vacuum systems preferred.
  • Experience with leading unit startups, including revamps and new units preferred.

All successful candidates must be eligible to obtain a TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential). It is Valero's policy that employees must wear this card at all times while working at the refinery. Please review eligibility criteria at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic.
Position level and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Valero's employees are the heart of its success, and there is a reason why the company is an employer of choice in the fuels manufacturing and marketing industry. It's not just the excellent benefits package, or the opportunities for personal growth, it's also the caring and committed culture of the organization that makes everyone feel like they're truly part of a team. For more information, visit Valero.com.
Valero is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, including race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Please be advised, if you are viewing this position on a website that lists an estimated salary rate/range, it was not provided by Valero. Valero's market specific salary rate/range will be provided during the recruiting process and tends to be higher than what is estimated by such websites.
*LI-LP1

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