Process Engineer Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
About Technip Energies
General Information
This position is based on-site Kansas City, KS. Candidates must be able to reliably commute to the designated work location. No relocation is provided for this position.
TITLE: Process Engineer REPORTS TO: Operations Manager FUNCTION: Process Engineering LOCATION: Kansas City DIVISION: Advanced Materials & Catalysts WORK HOURS: Full-Time EC GRADE: EC9 EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Permanent
Role Purpose (Why does the role exist, and what should it achieve and deliver?
The Process Engineer supports safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the production unit by providing technical expertise, process optimization, and engineering leadership. This role ensures that plant operations prioritize health, safety, environmental stewardship, and product quality while driving continuous improvement across processes, equipment, and systems. The Process Engineer is responsible for troubleshooting daily production issues, developing and executing improvement initiatives, managing capital projects, sustaining PSM and HS&E programs, and partnering with operations to maintain consistent, high-quality manufacturing performance. Through these activities, the role strengthens plant reliability, efficiency, compliance, and long-term operational capability.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Safety & Compliance Leadership
The Process Engineer is responsible for ensuring that plant operations are carried out with safety, health, and environmental protection as the highest priority. This includes monitoring daily activities for potential risks, enforcing HS&E standards, and providing training on hazardous waste handling, universal waste, used oil disposal, and DOT requirements. The role also develops, maintains, and strengthens HS&E systems to support full regulatory compliance. As the owner of the site's Process Safety Management (PSM) program, the Process Engineer leads the development and implementation of PSM elements, supports HAZOP reviews and Management of Change (MOC) processes, and ensures operational procedures and documentation aligns with safety regulations and best practices.
Technical & Process Expertise
The Process Engineer serves as the primary technical resource for diagnosing and resolving daily production challenges. They analyze operational deviations, interpret process data, and respond quickly to issues that impact throughput, product quality, or equipment performance. This role evaluates production processes to identify opportunities for optimization across yield, efficiency, and reliability. Using sound engineering principles, the Process Engineer develops and implements strategies to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce variability, and improve overall plant operation. The position also supports operators by providing hands-on troubleshooting guidance during startups, shutdowns, and non-standard operating conditions.
Continuous Improvement & Quality Excellence
A key responsibility of the Process Engineer is driving continuous improvement within the production area. This includes participating in ISO 9001:2000 audits, supporting corrective actions for quality deviations, and collaborating with the Quality team to ensure consistent product performance. The Process Engineer reconciles raw and finished product inventories to support accurate reporting and identifies causes of material loss or variability. Additionally, they lead or contribute to productivity initiatives that reduce waste, lower costs, and enhance equipment performance. When applicable, the Process Engineer applies Six Sigma or structured problem-solving tools to improve reliability, stability, and overall production efficiency.
Documentation, Training & Knowledge Transfer
This role is responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining operational documentation, including standard operating procedures, work instructions, and process guidelines. The Process Engineer ensures these documents accurately reflect current safety requirements, process conditions, and operational expectations. In addition, the role conducts operator training to strengthen technical capability, reinforce safe work practices, and ensure employees fully understand process updates or new equipment. Through clear documentation and effective communication, the Process Engineer supports a disciplined and knowledgeable operations team.
Project & Capital Management
The Process Engineer plays a vital role in identifying, developing, and implementing capital projects that improve plant safety, reliability, and performance. They prepare project scopes, estimates, and budgets; coordinate with contractors and internal stakeholders; and ensure that all capital work meets safety and operational standards. The role provides engineering support during installation, commissioning, and startup of new equipment or process systems. Additionally, the Process Engineer collaborates closely with the Maintenance team to plan and schedule maintenance activities, ensuring minimal disruption while improving equipment reliability and long-term performance.
Collaboration, Leadership & Operational Support
The Process Engineer works collaboratively with operators, maintenance, HS&E, Quality, and the Unit Manager to ensure smooth and efficient daily operations. They communicate engineering recommendations clearly, enabling informed decision-making on the production floor. The role coordinates work with external contractors and ensures their activities align with site safety and operational protocols. When needed, the Process Engineer steps in to act as Unit Manager, overseeing operations, managing priorities, and ensuring the unit meets production goals. This leadership support helps maintain operational continuity and reinforces the technical and organizational strength of the production team.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Educational Qualifications
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemical Engineering
OR
These or related chemical, materials, or manufacturing related disciplines given the nature of chemical processing, unit operations, and PSM requirements.
Industry Experience
Candidates should have 2-7 years of experience in the chemical manufacturing industry, preferably within environments involving complex batch or continuous processing operations. Experience in specialty chemicals, catalysts, zeolites, or materials manufacturing is highly beneficial due to the technical nature of the processes. Familiarity with chemical unit operations-such as filtration, drying, solids handling, reactors, and thermal processing-is essential for effective troubleshooting and optimization.
Ideal candidates will have prior exposure to Process Safety Management (PSM)-regulated facilities and experience working within structured safety, quality, and environmental compliance systems. Hands-on experience supporting plant operations, driving process improvements, managing or assisting with capital projects, and working cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams is strongly preferred.
Technical Competencies
Process Engineering & Unit Operations Expertise
The role requires strong functional knowledge of chemical process operations, including reaction systems, filtration, drying, solids handling, and other unit operations typical of chemical manufacturing. The Process Engineer must be able to analyze process behavior, understand material balances, evaluate equipment performance, and apply engineering fundamentals to improve yields, reliability, and efficiency.
Production Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis
The Process Engineer must be capable of diagnosing and resolving day-to-day production issues using structured problem-solving methods. This includes interpreting process data, identifying deviations or abnormal conditions, conducting root cause analyses, and implementing corrective and preventive actions to restore process stability and prevent recurrence.
Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
A high level of competency in evaluating process performance is required, including identifying bottlenecks, reducing waste, improving cycle times, and enhancing throughput. Familiarity with Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and productivity improvement tools is essential for driving continuous improvement initiatives across quality, reliability, and cost efficiency.
Process Safety Management (PSM) & Regulatory Compliance
The Process Engineer must understand and apply Process Safety Management principles, including hazard reviews, Management of Change (MOC), incident investigation, and safe operating procedures. Knowledge of HS&E regulations, hazardous waste handling, DOT requirements, and site environmental compliance is essential for maintaining safe and compliant operations.
Quality Systems & ISO Compliance
Technical competency in quality systems-specifically ISO 9001 processes-is required to support audits, implement corrective actions, and uphold product consistency. The Process Engineer must be able to interpret quality data, reconcile raw material and finished goods inventory, and support site-wide quality improvement programs.
Capital Project Engineering
The role requires the ability to scope, plan, and support execution of capital projects. This includes developing engineering specifications, preparing cost estimates, coordinating with contractors, supporting installation and commissioning, and ensuring projects meet safety, quality, and operational requirements. Strong understanding of equipment performance and reliability is required to guide investment decisions.
Technical Documentation & Procedure Development
Competency in developing and maintaining clear, accurate process documentation-such as SOPs, operating instructions, and safety procedures-is essential. The Process Engineer must translate technical requirements into practical guidance for operators and ensure documentation aligns with actual plant conditions and regulatory expectations.
Data Analysis & Computer Literacy
Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting process data is essential to support optimization, troubleshooting, and operational decisions. Competency with Microsoft Office tools-including Excel for data analysis-is required, along with the ability to use plant information systems or process historian tools to monitor performance trends.
Training & Technical Communication
The role requires the ability to effectively communicate complex technical information in a clear and practical way. This includes training operators on procedures, safety requirements, and process changes. Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary to ensure understanding across operational, maintenance, and management teams.
Personality & Attitude
Safety-First Mindset
A successful Process Engineer must demonstrate a deeply ingrained commitment to health, safety, and environmental responsibility. This includes consistently modeling safe behaviors, making conservative decisions in ambiguous situations, and holding both themselves and others accountable for safe practices. They must be the kind of person who instinctively pauses work when something doesn't look right and who communicates safety concerns with confidence and urgency.
Calm, Solution-Oriented Approach Under Pressure
The site demands someone who remains composed and analytical when production issues arise. The engineer must handle unexpected challenges without frustration, maintain professionalism in tense situations, and quickly shift into structured problem-solving mode. A steady, levelheaded presence builds trust with operators and supervisors during abnormal events or equipment failures.
Collaborative, Respectful, and Operator-Focused
The best Process Engineers in your environment are those who earn credibility on the production floor. They show humility, listen actively, and work alongside operators in a hands-on manner when needed. They value operator insight, communicate respectfully, and never dismiss frontline experience. A naturally cooperative and relationship-building personality is essential in a plant where teamwork drives safe and reliable performance.
Proactive and Improvement-Driven
This role requires someone who doesn't wait to be told what to fix. They must have a self-starter mentality, naturally scanning the operation for inefficiencies, risks, or improvement opportunities. A curious, questioning attitude-combined with a desire to "make things better than they were yesterday"-is key to driving the plant's continuous improvement path.
Detail-Oriented with a Sense of Ownership
The engineer must be meticulous in their work, especially in documenting procedures, investigating issues, and maintaining compliance systems. They should take personal ownership of the areas they support, ensuring follow-through, accuracy, and consistency. A strong sense of responsibility- "if it's mine, I take care of it"-is critical in a PSM-regulated environment.
Flexible, Adaptable, and Comfortable with Changing Priorities
Plant conditions can shift quickly, and the Process Engineer must adapt without losing focus or becoming overwhelmed. This includes balancing long-term projects with urgent operational needs, adjusting plans on short notice, and remaining positive when priorities move unexpectedly. A flexible and resilient attitude helps them navigate the dynamic rhythm of manufacturing.
Clear, Honest, and Confident Communicator
The engineer must communicate clearly, directly, and confidently with operators, leaders, contractors, and cross-functional teams. This includes providing technical guidance in plain language, escalating issues promptly, and aligning others around expectations. A straightforward, transparent communication style fosters trust and reduces operational ambiguity.
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