Trecora Resources

Description:

The Process Engineer is responsible for building, managing, and optimizing the design and production of Trecora Chemical’s processes. This role evaluates existing operations, configures manufacturing systems to reduce costs, improves sustainability, and develops best practices to enhance overall performance. The Process Engineer conducts risk assessments and reviews safety and quality standards to ensure the facility consistently meets regulatory and internal requirements. This position also uses Aspen process modeling to evaluate process data, identify optimization opportunities, and support improvements involving distillation and chemical reaction processes. 

Process Improvement & Optimization

• Oversee, evaluate, and continuously improve existing processes and workflows.
• Design, implement, and test new procedures to enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency.
• Assist in designing processes and equipment for product development and commercialization while ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with project budgets.
• Track, assess, and recommend upgrades to equipment, work methods, and systems to optimize resource utilization (labor, energy, raw materials).
• Improve process capability, production volume, and operational efficiency while maintaining or improving quality standards.
• Identify process bottlenecks and develop practical, sustainable solutions.
• Develop and use Aspen process models to assess process data, operating conditions, equipment performance, and process optimization opportunities.
• Apply chemical process knowledge involving distillation, dehydrogenation, alkylation, reaction chemistry, and reactive materials.
• Collaborate with Operations to update and maintain SOPs as needed.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare reports to document process performance, changes, and status updates.
• Collect and analyze production data using scientific and statistical methods to document, evaluate, and visualize production processes.

Safety, Compliance & Project Support

• Assess safety requirements and ensure they are integrated into all processes, maintaining reliable and safe systems while driving improvements in rates, efficiencies, yields, cost, and changeovers.
• Lead or participate in incident investigations and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Support small capital projects either as the direct Project Manager or through coordination with external engineering or construction firms.
• Participate in PHAs as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related experience required.
• At least 10 years of process engineering experience in a chemical manufacturing environment, including batch or continuous operations.
• Hands-on experience using Aspen process-modeling (or similar) software to evaluate process performance and identify optimization opportunities.
• Experience with distillation and chemical reaction processes required; experience with dehydrogenation, alkylation, and reactive materials strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to influence effectively across the organization. · 
• Strong knowledge of industry standards and best practices.
• Ability to analyze and assess workflows to identify inefficiencies. · 
• Skill in designing, implementing, and optimizing production processes. · 
• Strong data analysis skills using scientific and statistical methods. · 
• Capability to track, evaluate, and improve equipment and resource utilization. · 
• Knowledge of safety, regulatory, and quality standards with ability to integrate them into processes. · 
• Problem-solving skills to resolve bottlenecks and process issues effectively. · 
• Project management and collaboration skills to support capital projects and cross-functional teams.