Senior Process Engineer

The Senior Process Engineer will supervise and coordinate the activities of and provide direction and guidance to the engineers in assigned area.  Also, this role will make decisions and recommendations that are recognized as authoritative and have a far-reaching impact on extensive engineering and related activities of the company; negotiates critical and controversial issues with top-level engineers and officers of other organizations and companies.  Individuals at this level demonstrate a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing and guiding extensive engineering programs and activities of outstanding novelty and importance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supervise and coordinate the activities of and provide direction and guidance to the engineers in assigned area.

• Provide mentorship and assist with development of engineers in assigned area

• Coach employees to optimize group performance

• Generate front-end scope packages for capital projects, including generating heat and mass balances, marked-up P&ID’s, PFD’s, project justification, piping and equipment sizing, instrumentation requirements, materials of construction.

• Size and recommend relief valves as needed.

• Attend process hazard reviews as required.

• Create and implement solutions to action items identified in PHA’s, audit findings, and root cause analysis.

• Promote and support Westlake’s Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) activities as part of the department team.

• Prepare monthly and other reports required to keep management informed on progress of projects, improvements made and other items as necessary

• Use Statistical Process Control in the continuous improvement effort.

• Maintain information (files and documentation) for plant process, equipment and technology.

• Assist in the preparation of capital requests necessary to improve plant operations.

• Maintain working knowledge of the plant operations and technology in order to identify improvement opportunities.

• Develops recommendations and makes decisions that have an important impact on extensive engineering activities

• Represents the company in technical areas.

• Maintains detailed knowledge of site processes and technologies.

• Demonstrates strong safety culture through personal behavior and commitment to environmental, health & safety. Participates in the PACE culture of safety.

• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering required (PE certification is preferred)

• Minimum 8 years of related engineering experience

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written

• Proficient computer skills, with good working knowledge of all standard company applications (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.)

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Self-directed and motivated

• Good leadership skills and proven supervisory skills

• Must be able to communicate to all levels of local management and to other departments to explain problems and proposed solutions

• Ability to impact and influence, and to persuade others to a particular course of action

WHY JOIN US?

At Westlake, you will be a part of global diversified team working together to provide the world essential and more sustainable products that enhance people’s lives every day. There are learning and development opportunities to craft your career path.  We offer benefits that enhance your life such as competitive compensation package, health insurance, bonus incentives, retirement plan, life benefits - and many more.

Flexible schedule: Option to work a 9/80 compressed work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Additionally, this position must make general decisions requiring judgement and perform activities requiring sustained concentration.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is sometimes moderate when working in an office, however, some of the work may be required in the operating units which mandates usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.  May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators.  Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.