Upstream Process Development Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Brown and Caldwell is looking for a National Thermal Process Technologist to join senior leadership of our Solids and Energy practice. In this role, you will work closely with the other technologists and Practice leadership to drive vision and strategy for the thermal practice, build alignment across national projects and resources, and support market growth and development. This role will deliver high quality technical solutions, establish technical rigor and support various projects from applied research and planning through detailed design, construction and commissioning. This role will also support client service teams with technical strategy and solutions during key project pursuits. The ideal candidate should have strong leadership skills and significant experience in planning, process design, operations, troubleshooting and commissioning large and complex thermal process projects (e.g., thermal drying, incineration, advanced thermal processes, etc.). We are looking for a candidate that is self-motivated, technical and quality focused, and is energized by mentoring rising engineers and working in a team environment. Ideally, you are engaged in the biosolids industry and have established relationships throughout the industry. Work is performed with minimal supervision. This role will not have any direct reports.
Responsibilities

• Lead project delivery teams nationally to achieve project goals, ensuring the consistent application of quality standards, guidelines and best practices across projects and teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive technical delivery and quality management, ensuring development and adherence to quality standards and best practices to maintain consistency and mitigate risks.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients nationally, understanding their needs and developing and implementing tailored technical solutions that exceed expectations.
• Monitor industry trends, market developments, and emerging technologies to develop innovative solutions that drive competitive advantage
• Lead and coordinate collaboration with project delivery, client services, and technical services teams to develop and implement innovative solutions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Support Practice leader with SMS governance and systems to drive talent development for technical practitioners
• Lead development of technical training and mentoring of less experienced technical practitioners, in support of national Practice goals
• Flexibility to adapt and execute various additional assignments based on evolving needs.

Mentorship

• Provide mentorship, guidance, support, and knowledge-sharing to help less experienced team members develop their skills and grow within their roles.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrates advanced expertise within their technical area, effectively applying principles and practices to complex and multifaceted projects, driving competitive advantage.
• Communicates complex technical information with clarity and precision to both technical and non-technical audiences, ensuring comprehensive understanding.
• Exhibits exceptional teamwork and leadership abilities, fostering collaboration and building high-performing, cohesive teams to achieve ambitious project goals.
• Ensures adherence to quality standards and best practices, maintaining consistency and proactively mitigating risks in technical delivery.
• Delivers compelling and influential technical presentations, effectively communicating innovative ideas and solutions to diverse and high-level audiences.
• Ability to recruit and develop talent for SMS affiliated with the technical area, approaching leadership with a mentoring mindset and leading a culture of talent development in support of Practice goals.
• Skilled at presenting with ability to communicate to clients, as well as at conferences and industry association events.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of solids processing fundamentals and plantwide process understanding
• Ability to develop and train others in solids and energy balances
• Possesses advanced knowledge of biosolids thermal drying, incineration and/or advanced thermal processes
• Familiarity with emissions controls systems associated with thermal processes
• Ability to identify when thermal processes or other solids processes will impact upstream or downstream liquids processes
• Understanding of the role of sludge and cake quality, and how that impacts the reliability and successful operation of thermal processes
• Working knowledge of biosolids regulations and market trends
• Knowledge of construction and startup challenges specific to thermal drying
• Familiarity of NFPA and dust safety requirements associated with thermal processes

Experience

• Typically requires minimum of 10 years in assigned specialty related experience.
• Typically certified in the SMS Framework, and progressing through the SMS competencies.

Preferred Experience

• Process design for large or complex thermal process projects
• Familiarity with various thermal dryer types and vendors, and the differing process control and operational considerations
• Evaluating and analyzing emerging technologies and emerging contaminants
• Significant experience supporting and leading planning, process design, detailed design and commission of biosolids thermal facilities
• Dewatering design, troubleshooting and optimization
• Working effectively across multidisciplinary teams (e.g., process mechanical, electrical, I&C, permitting, etc.) during preliminary and detailed design
• Evaluating and designing cake receiving, storage and cake conveyance (e.g., conveyors and cake pumping) systems

Education

• A degree in Engineering, Science, Geology, or a related field with an emphasis related to the technical role required.

Preferred Education

• Master's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Civil or Environmental) preferred.

Salary Range: The anticipated starting pay range for this position is based on the employee's primary work location and may be more or less depending upon skills, experience, and education. These ranges may be modified in the future.
Location A: $144,000 - $196,000
Location B: $158,000 - $216,000
Location C: $172,000 - $236,000
You can view which BC location applies to you here. If you have any questions, please speak with your Recruiter.
Benefits and Other Compensation: We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee health, performance, and success which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off and parental leave, paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, performance-based bonus eligibility, employee referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance and long-term care insurance. Click here to see our full list of benefits.
About Brown and Caldwell
Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction services firm with 50 offices and over 2,100 professionals across North America and the Pacific. For more than 75 years, we have created leading-edge environmental solutions for municipalities, private industry, and government agencies. We strive to be the company of choice-to our clients, who benefit from our passion for delivering exceptional quality, and to our employees, present and future, who share our commitment to client service, collaboration, and innovation. Join us, and you will find a home where you can do your best work, reach new levels of expertise, and enjoy exceptional development opportunities. For more information, visit www.brownandcaldwell.com
This position is subject to a pre-employment background check and a pre-employment drug test.
Notice to Third Party Agencies: Brown and Caldwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with Brown and Caldwell, Brown and Caldwell reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.
Brown and Caldwell is proud to be an EEO/AAP Employer. Brown and Caldwell encourages protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, and applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Brown and Caldwell ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
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