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Process Optimization Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Senior Process Engineer

Peru, IL · On-site

$100K - $136K/yr

The Senior Process Engineer will lead complex technical problem-solving efforts, including root ... Lead process optimization efforts across EPS manufacturing, packaging, and utilities/waste ...

New

The engineer partners closely with cross‑functional teams in the U.S. and Canada to drive ... Experience with DOE, SPC, and other process optimization tools. * Ability to work independently and ...

Engineer Process

La Salle, IL · On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Experience with process optimization and control methods * Knowledge of manufacturing principles ... engineering, this is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic team and contribute to our ...

Process Engineer

Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site

$110K - $140K/yr

PROCESS ENGINEER Elk Grove Village, IL KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: * Lead daily ... Experience with process optimization and documentation best practices * Familiarity with mold ...

Process Engineer

Alsip, IL · On-site

$145K - $165K/yr

The Process Engineer at the Alsip Mini Mill will be responsible for optimizing production processes, improving product quality, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting continuous improvement ...

The Process Engineer at the Alsip Mini Mill will be responsible for optimizing production processes, improving product quality, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting continuous improvement ...

Responsible for process design, equipment specification, and process optimization to improve ... Develop engineering documentation, including reports, flow diagrams, and performance charts

Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy, Metallurgical Engineering, Material Engineering/Science, or a ... Excellent knowledge of process optimization techniques * Familiarity with industry regulations and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Process Optimization Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$48K

$89.2K

$138.1K

How much do process optimization engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for process optimization engineer in Illinois is $89,167.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,200.00 and $99,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Process Optimization Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Process Optimization Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, process analysis, and data-driven problem solving, often supported by a degree in chemical, industrial, or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with process simulation software, Six Sigma or Lean certifications, and advanced data analytics tools is typically required. Exceptional analytical thinking, strong communication, and a collaborative mindset help drive continuous improvement initiatives and facilitate cross-functional teamwork. These skills and qualities are crucial for identifying inefficiencies, implementing sustainable solutions, and maximizing operational productivity.

How does a Process Optimization Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement improvements?

Process Optimization Engineers work closely with various departments such as production, quality, maintenance, and supply chain to identify inefficiencies and develop solutions. Collaboration often involves facilitating workshops, analyzing data with team members, and ensuring that proposed changes align with both operational goals and compliance requirements. Effective communication and project management skills are essential, as the engineer must coordinate feedback, gain buy-in, and oversee the implementation of process improvements across multiple teams.

What does a Process Optimization Engineer do?

A Process Optimization Engineer analyzes, designs, and improves industrial processes to maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure quality. They use data-driven techniques and engineering principles to identify bottlenecks, implement solutions, and monitor performance. Their work often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate new technologies or methodologies, leading to safer and more productive operations. Process Optimization Engineers are vital in manufacturing, chemical, and other process-driven industries.

What is the difference between Process Optimization Engineer vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectProcess Optimization EngineerManufacturing Engineer
Primary FocusImproving processes for efficiency and qualityDesigning and implementing manufacturing systems
CertificationsLean, Six Sigma, process improvement certificationsSix Sigma, CAD, manufacturing certifications
Work EnvironmentProduction lines, process labs, continuous improvement teamsFactory floors, design offices, production planning
Industry UsageManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, consumer goodsManufacturing, industrial equipment, electronics

The Process Optimization Engineer focuses on analyzing and improving existing processes to enhance efficiency, quality, and cost savings. In contrast, the Manufacturing Engineer designs and implements manufacturing systems and equipment. Both roles often collaborate but serve different core functions within manufacturing operations.

What job categories do people searching Process Optimization Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Process Optimization Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

Process Simulation Twin & Optimization Engineer - Refinery Experience Only

Aramco

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Aramco energizes the world economy.

Aramco occupies a special position in the global energy industry. We are one of the world’s largest producers of hydrocarbon energy and chemicals, with among the lowest Upstream carbon intensities of any major producer.

With our significant investment in technology and infrastructure, we strive to maximize the value of the energy we produce for the world along with a commitment to enhance Aramco’s value to society.

Headquartered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and with offices around the world, we combine market discipline with a generations’ spanning view of the future, born of our nine decades experience as responsible stewards of the Kingdom’s vast hydrocarbon resources. This responsibility has driven us to deliver significant societal and economic benefits to not just the Kingdom, but also to a vast number of communities, economies, and countries that rely on the vital and reliable energy that we supply.

We are one of the most profitable companies in the world, as well as amongst the top five global companies by market capitalization.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Process Simulation Twin (PST) and Optimization Engineer to join our Reliability Solutions Department (RSD) within our Global Manufacturing Excellence Center.

Global Manufacturing Excellence (GME) is the recognized Center of Excellence driving value across Saudi Aramco’s Downstream Global manufacturing portfolio.

Your primary role is to deploy and sustain online process simulations (process digital twins), perform process optimization activities to identify opportunities, monitor process performance KPIs and develop advanced process optimization data-enabled solutions. This role sits at the boundary of process engineering and digitalization beyond traditional process simulation roles. You will be responsible for bridging the gap between rigorous thermodynamic models, process digital twins, real-time process data and hybrid analytics through AI.

Key Responsibilities

As the successful candidate you will be required to perform the following:

  • Lead the development, deployment, and sustainment of PST that integrate real-time process data with rigorous equation-oriented or sequential simulation engines in alignment with corporate objectives.
  • Configure and troubleshoot the connectivity between plant historians, laboratory information systems, and simulation software to ensure seamless data ingestion and reconciliation.
  • Utilize PST to perform automated monitoring of facility health, detecting deviations between ideal performance and actual plant operations to identify opportunity gaps.
  • Develop and maintain thermodynamic models and mathematical equations that accurately represent the behavior of various processes ensuring the PST accurately reflects the current state of the facility (including heat exchanger fouling, catalyst decay, etc.).
  • Perform offline engineering studies using PST to analyze complex operational problems, debottleneck constraints, and conduct "what-if" scenarios based on current operating conditions.
  • Act as the technical liaison between data teams and Operations/Process Engineering teams, leading technical sessions on model architecture, data quality, and commissioning.
  • Lead process optimization sessions to de-bottleneck key process units such as CDU/VDU, Hydrocrackers, Catalytic crackers, Diesel Hydrotreaters, Isomerization.
  • Benchmark process optimization KPIs with 15+ operating facilities and provide development of programs, processes, guidelines and best practices.
  • Provide subject matter expertise to operating facilities Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams by consulting, providing awareness sessions, and participating and leading technical exchanges and conferences.
Minimum Requirements
  • You must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
  • You will have a minimum of 15 years of experience in Process Simulations, Online Modeling, or Real-Time Optimization (preferably ROMeo). 20 years of experience is preferred.
  • You will be able to Demonstrate expertise in process engineering and flowsheet-based processes simulation. Preferred Equation Oriented simulation.
  • You will have comprehensive understanding of refinery facilities, feedstock/product movements, margins, giveaways, process yields, and mass and energy balances.
  • Demonstrated experience connecting simulations to live data sources (Data Historians, OPC, etc.).
  • Strong understanding of data reconciliation, model tuning, and dealing with gross errors in industrial data is also required.
Work Location and Work Schedule

Work location: Within Saudi Arabia – To be specified in Job offer

Work schedule: Full Time - To be specified in Job offer

Job Posting Duration

Job posting start date: 02/16/2026

Job posting end date: 12/31/2026

Working environment

Our high-performing employees are drawn by the challenging and rewarding professional, technical and industrial opportunities we offer, and are remunerated accordingly.

At Aramco, our people work on truly world-scale projects, supported by investment in capital and technology that is second to none. And because, as a global energy company, we are faced with addressing some of the world’s biggest technical, logistical and environmental challenges, we invest heavily in talent development.

We have a proud history of educating and training our workforce over many decades. Employees at all levels are encouraged to improve their sector-specific knowledge and competencies through our workforce development programs – one of the largest in the world.