Process Associate Jobs in Virginia Beach, VA (NOW HIRING)

Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company that handles agricultural commodities and a diverse portfolio of products and businesses. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we're committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Drive operational excellence and innovation across our agricultural processing facilities as an Agricultural Process Engineering Subject Matter Expert. In this highly impactful role, you will serve as the technical authority for soybean processing, oilseed preparation, solvent extraction, meal handling, oil recovery, and related plant systems. Partnering closely with operations, maintenance, and project teams, you will provide expert guidance to optimize safety, reliability, efficiency, and product quality while supporting the successful execution of capital and continuous improvement initiatives. You will lead the development of project scopes, engineering design requirements, and technical specifications, while ensuring the accuracy and ongoing enhancement of process documentation, engineering standards, and facility drawings. This role is ideal for a collaborative and solutions-oriented engineering professional who is passionate about advancing agricultural processing operations, solving complex technical challenges, and driving measurable business results.

The salary range for this position is $114,000-$170,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications with annual bonus available (variable depending on performance).
In addition to the base salary, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

       Serve as the technical owner and subject matter expert for soybean receiving, preparation, cracking, dehulling, conditioning, flaking, solvent extraction, desolventizing /toasting, oil handling, meal systems, and supporting utility systems.

       Provide expert guidance for troubleshooting, debottlenecking, reliability improvement, and process optimization across grain, crush, extraction, and refining operations.

       Partner with operations, maintenance, safety, environmental, quality, and external engineering resources to improve safety, compliance, throughput, yields, energy efficiency, product quality, and operating cost.

       Provide hands-on technical support for process upsets, root cause analysis, startup issues, and equipment or control system performance gaps.

       Review processes and procedures, including standard operating procedures, to ensure accuracy and compliance with plant standards.

       Lead front-end engineering and scope development for capital, maintenance, reliability, compliance, and capacity projects.

       Define problem statements, alternatives, basis of design, process criteria, equipment lists, plot impacts, utility demands, control philosophy, constructability considerations, process performance, cost assumptions, and schedule inputs.

       Own and maintain the technical accuracy of facility documentation including process flow diagrams, P&IDs, equipment lists, line lists, utility summaries, energy and mass balances, design criteria, operating envelopes, process safety management documentation, and engineering standards.

       Ensure redlines are captured, drawing updates are completed, and current drawings and document registers remain accurate and available.

       Develop equipment and process standards for soybean processing and extraction systems including rotating equipment, material handling, solids processing, heat transfer equipment, solvent handling systems, dust control, fire and explosion risk mitigation, and process safety safeguards.

       Support management of change and ensure technical changes are properly documented, reviewed, and implemented.

       Support site master planning and long-range technical roadmaps by identifying process constraints, infrastructure needs, code or permit impacts, lifecycle risks, and value-improvement opportunities.

       Provide technical input to prioritize strategic, compliance, reliability, and cost-improvement projects.

       Monitor process performance and key operating parameters to identify root causes of loss and improve recovery, yields, capacity, and equipment effectiveness.

       Use engineering analysis and plant data to develop recommendations for process changes, equipment upgrades, operating discipline improvements, and standard work.

       Build organizational capability by coaching site engineers, maintenance leaders, operators, and project managers on soybean process fundamentals, extraction performance, process safety, troubleshooting, and engineering work processes.

       Provide technical training and share best practices across facilities.

       Work with internal and external engineering partners, technology providers, OEMs, and contractors to evaluate new technologies, benchmark best practices, and develop practical solutions.

       Provide technical leadership through design review, FAT/SAT support, startup readiness, and performance validation.

       Support and help administer key Process Safety Management work processes including process safety information, management of change, operating procedures, process hazard analysis action tracking, and pre-startup safety review documentation.

       Ensure technical changes are properly documented, reviewed, approved, and incorporated into controlled drawings, procedures, equipment files, and related records.

Minimum Education and Experience

       Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, or related engineering discipline.

       Demonstrate knowledge of process engineering, mechanical systems, utility systems, process safety, and industrial facility design.

       Demonstrate ability to develop project scope packages, basis of design documents, equipment specifications, and technical bid packages.

       Demonstrate experience managing engineering documents and maintaining current drawings, P&IDs, and redlines.

       Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, CAD/document management proficiency, and ability to travel to plants, project sites, and remote facilities.

       Possess minimum 10 years of relevant industrial experience.

       Demonstrate experience in soybean processing, oilseed crushing, solvent extraction, vegetable oil refining, or comparable bulk solids and chemical process manufacturing.

Preferred Education and Experience

       Demonstrate 10+ years of experience in soybean processing, oilseed extraction, edible oil refining, or related continuous process manufacturing.

       Demonstrate deep experience with solvent extraction systems, meal handling, oil recovery, process controls, rotating equipment, and brownfield plant modifications.

       Demonstrate experience leading process hazard reviews, management of change, and commissioning/startup activities.

       Hold Professional Engineer license, PMP, or equivalent technical/project credential.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

       Work in active project and plant environments with routine floor activity including troubleshooting and system redesign.

       Move equipment and access files, supplies, and equipment as needed.

       Work in environments including office settings, construction sites, and processing operations with climate extremes.

       Move throughout complex facilities.

       Work on wet and moist floors, including metal and plastic grating surfaces.

       Tolerate temperatures ranging from 28 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with up to 100% humidity.

       Tolerate noise levels ranging from 50 db to 110 db.

       Work around chemicals used in processing operations.

       Wear required protective and safety equipment.

       Work at outdoor heights up to 200 feet.

       Work on and around operating equipment.

       Follow Lockout/Tagout procedures.

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Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.