Process Engineer

Primary Job Responsibility:

The Process Engineer is responsible for providing technical leadership and engineering support to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operation of the manufacturing process. The position serves as a key technical resource for Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Quality, and Engineering and is accountable for identifying opportunities to improve process performance, eliminate losses, increase production capability, reduce operating costs, and improve equipment and process reliability.

The Process Engineer is expected to be actively engaged in the field and work closely with operating personnel to understand process conditions, identify problems, develop solutions, and ensure improvements are implemented and sustained.

The role requires a strong balance of technical knowledge, field presence, data analysis, problem-solving, project execution, and communication.

Description of Job Duties:

• Monitor production processes and drive the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain process reporting tools, dashboards, and improvement tracking systems.
• Design and manage quality assurance systems, including ISO 9000 compliance, best practices, measurement system analysis, statistical sampling, and performance metric reporting.
• Track and maintain key process variables, including product testing data, and respond proactively to process deviations.
• Assist in or lead the development of process and financial models to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Conduct root cause analyses on process issues and develop effective countermeasures and action plans.
• Ensure the integrity of process and product databases; lead efforts to enhance data systems for improved traceability and control.
• Verify proper product sampling procedures, identification, and traceability are maintained throughout production.
• Monitor and report on compliance with internal and industry best practices.
• Audit standard work processes and ensure adherence to established procedures.
• Document, implement, and train cross-functional teams on best practices, local work standards, and quality assurance procedures.
• Provide process engineering expertise during the initial scoping of engineering projects and offer technical review during detailed design phases.

Required Knowledge / Skills / Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering Science, preferably in Chemical or Petroleum Engineering.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Basic presentation skills with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly.
• Ability to explain and demonstrate practical chemical engineering principles and applications.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Windows operating systems (Microsoft PowerPoint, Visio, Etc.).
• Understanding and use of Historian type programs, applications (OSIsoft PI, etc.)
• Proven ability to manage programs and achieve goals with minimal supervision.
• In-depth knowledge of Quality Assurance practices and procedures.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in identifying and resolving technical or process-related issues.
• Experience working with and meeting customer and/or supplier requirements.
• Proven competency in chemical process operations and relevant technologies.
• 4 to 8 years of relevant industry experience.

Preferred Skills:

• Practical knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management (TQM).
• Familiarity with ISO 9000 standards and certification processes.
• Experience with process modeling software (e.g., ASPEN Plus, PRO/II, or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of SQL and experience with database queries or data analysis tools.

Competencies:

Core

Function

Position

• Drive for results
• Customer Focus
• Ethics and Values
• HS&EP
• Peer Relationships

• Action oriented
• Decision Quality
• Functional/Technical Skills
• Informing
• Perseverance

• Problem solving
• Technical learning
• Learning on the fly

Working Conditions:

• Must work with a minimum of direct supervision.
• Mostly local operations and office environment.
• Approximately 0% - 15% travel is required.
  • Travel to other GrafTech locations
  • Possible travel to suppliers and customers