Job description
NovaChem Industries is a forward-thinking chemical company focused on sustainable solutions and high-impact products. We are seeking a talented Chemical Process Engineer to join our Houston team. This role blends robust technical design with practical execution, driving scalable, safe, and cost-effective processes from concept to commercialization.
As a key member of our engineering team, you will influence the full lifecycle of chemical processes, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Responsibility
- Lead process design activities for new and existing chemical processes, including mass and energy balances, equipment sizing, and safety analyses.
- Develop and optimize process simulations (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS) to validate design and performance targets.
- Conduct scale-up studies from lab/pilot to plant, including residence time, heat transfer, and reaction kinetics considerations.
- Collaborate with process safety, operations, and maintenance teams to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operations.
- Perform economic assessments, CAPEX/OPEX analysis, and risk assessments to support project decisions.
- Prepare detailed engineering deliverables, P&IDs, equipment specifications, and commissioning plans.
- Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis for process deviations and yield losses.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Qualification
- BS or MS in Chemical Engineering or related field; advanced degree preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in chemical process design, optimization, and scale-up in relevant industries (petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, or polymers).
- Proficiency with process simulation tools (Aspen Plus/HYSYS, ChemCAD) and Microsoft Office suite.
- Strong understanding of reaction kinetics, mass and energy balances, and thermodynamics.
- Experience with process safety standards (PSM, API, NFPA) and risk assessment methodologies.
- Excellent communication, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Relocation to Houston or local candidate preferred.