Senior Process Engineer

About Westwin Elements Inc

Westwin Elements is pioneering the future of domestic nickel refining, securing a vital supply chain for the U.S. As part of our team, you will contribute to a groundbreaking industrial project that supports the transition to clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

About the role

• Westwin Elements is seeking a highly skilled Senior Process Engineer to support the design, optimization, and operation of America’s first nickel refinery. This role will be instrumental in developing and refining metallurgical processes, ensuring efficiency, safety, and sustainability in nickel refining operations. The Senior Process Engineer will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to drive innovation and continuous improvement throughout the plant.

What you'll do

• Lead the development, design, and optimization of process systems for nickel refining, ensuring efficiency and compliance with industry standards.
• Analyze and improve existing metallurgical processes, focusing on yield optimization, energy efficiency, and cost reduction.
• Work closely with engineering, operations, and R&D teams to implement best practices in nickel extraction and refining.
• Develop and maintain process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).
• Oversee process simulations, mass and energy balances, and technical evaluations for plant operations.
• Perform engineering calculations such as equipment and line sizing.
• Aid equipment technology selections.
• Troubleshoot plant operations and recommend improvements based on data analysis and operational insights.
• Support commissioning and startup activities for the refinery, ensuring smooth transitions from design to operation.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations related to chemical processing and refining.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and plant operators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemical engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in process engineering within the mining, refining, or chemical processing industries.
• Strong background in hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, or related nickel processing technologies.
• Proficiency in process simulation software such as Aspen HYSYS, METSIM, or similar tools.
• Experience with large-scale industrial plant operations, including commissioning and process troubleshooting.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.