Chemical Manufacturing Operations Engineer - Vespa Unit

Are you ready to move your career forward and help shape our company’s and customers’ futures?

If you aspire to challenge yourself, work with the best in the industry and join a successful team where you can make a meaningful contribution, then we invite you to join us at Ketjen Corporation, a provider of advanced catalyst solutions to leading producers in the petrochemical, refining, and specialty chemicals industries. Together, we can create a legacy marked by innovation, excitement, and energy.

Ketjen Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Albemarle Corporation, is seeking an Operations Engineer to support the Vespa Unit at our facility in Bayport, TX. The Operations Engineer is responsible for monitoring the day-to-day production rate, quality, and making sure units operate safely and in compliance with environmental regulations/permits. In this role the Operations Engineering will also be the liaison between Technology Resources and Operations for all new product trials and new process design/improvement projects.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide technical support and solutions to help achieve safety, environmental, quality, production, and cost goals for the unit.

• Monitor and optimize production quality, rates, and yields.  Strive to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

• Analyze existing process problems and define robust and innovative solutions with limited oversight.

• Use multiple tools available to troubleshoot complex issues in the unit including process and quality data, engineering calculations, and statistics.

• Provide operations review/support of capital projects in the assigned production units.

• Support start-up and commissioning efforts, as assigned, on larger projects.

• Initiate or review management of change (MOC) documentation for changes in the unit.

• Support investigations and root cause analysis (RCA) of unplanned events. Develop/implement preventative and corrective actions.

• Participate in safety programs and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.

• Develop and maintain documentation related to production processes and procedures.

• Provide on call support for area production units one weekend per month.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a chemical manufacturing plant.

• Solid academic background and work history.

• Practical knowledge concerning design and operation of common process equipment such as pumps, blowers, heat exchangers, piping, etc.

• Desire to work in an operating unit on a day-to-day issues and identify / solve long term problems.

• Proven record of working with production operators, supervisors, maintenance technicians, etc.

• Basic instrumentation knowledge (e.g. level, flow, pressure, etc.).

• Excellent software and computer skills.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and goals.

• Self-Driven and goal oriented.  Encourages teamwork.

Desired Qualifications:

• Batch and continuous operations experience.

• Experience in process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Strong analytical skills to analyze data and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Experience in advanced statistical software such as Minitab and Northwest Analytics.

• Experience using PI data historian, PI Asset Framework.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly diagnose and resolve complex operational issues.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with changing priorities.

• Ability to lead and manage projects from conception to completion.

• Experience in start-up and commissioning of new equipment.

• Basic process control knowledge – loop tuning.

• Basic knowledge of Distributed Control Systems.

• Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies.

• Knowledge of industry regulations and standards such as ISO and OSHA.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Apply today and spark success in your career and help Ketjen unleash the potential of advanced chemistry for industries that power the world.

Benefits of Joining Ketjen

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits package

• A diverse array of r