Ethanol Sr. Process Engineer

Role Definition

A Sr. Process Engineer serving as a Design Lead for ethanol projects is responsible for directing the technical development, coordination, and execution of process-driven facility designs from concept through startup. This role requires deep ethanol industry expertise, a strong understanding of plant operations, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering and design teams in delivering safe, efficient, constructable, and cost-effective solutions. The Design Lead is accountable for establishing the process design basis, developing process flow diagrams, mass and energy balances, equipment specifications, and process requirements that drive project scope and overall facility design. They provide technical leadership and coordination across process, structural, mechanical, electrical, automation, procurement, fabrication, and construction disciplines to ensure a fully integrated and executable design. A successful Design Lead understands the operational, maintenance, safety, reliability, and performance requirements unique to ethanol production facilities and applies that knowledge to support project planning, scope development, design estimates, schedules, budgets, risk management, and execution strategies. This role serves as the primary technical resource for process design decisions and works closely with clients, project managers, and project teams to deliver solutions that achieve the client's business and operational objectives. This role profile is subject to change at any time.

PROTECT PEOPLE

• Safety comes first in everything I do
• I protect our seat at the table by doing my best work
• I develop myself and others
• I put the needs of the Company and others above my own
• I represent myself and the Company professionally at all times
  
  

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

• I respect people
• I have a positive attitude
• I collaborate and build healthy external relationships
• I collaborate and build healthy internal relationships
• I engage in healthy conflict
• I act with honesty, integrity, and ethics
• I avoid dramatic and toxic behavior
  
  

FOCUS ON END GOALS

• I focus my efforts on providing valueadded work to the customer; “work in the business”
• I start with the end in mind
• I honor our process
• I act with the greater good of the company and the team in mind
• I embrace the EOS process and take the appropriate amount of time to "work on the business"
• I respect Company resources
  
  

DRIVE INNOVATION

• I offer 2 Second Lean improvements
• I act with a continuous improvement mindset; low tech or high tech
• I think differently to create value and solve problems
  
  

TOP 5 ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• LEADS ETHANOL FACILITY DESIGN AND TECHNICAL DIRECTION
• Lead the design effort on ethanolrelated projects, providing technical direction for facility layout, equipment arrangement, constructability, safety, and overall design intent.
• Serve as a design subject matter expert for project teams, clients, vendors, and construction partners.
• Develop and review key design deliverables including layouts, models, design narratives, coordination drawings, and supporting documentation.
• Translate process requirements into practical facility layouts that support operations, maintenance, safety, and longterm performance.
• Identify and resolve design risks related to access, maintenance, constructability, coordination, and safety.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable codes, standards, owner requirements, and industry best practices.
• Lead site discovery, field verification, design reviews, and coordination meetings to support successful project delivery.
• Mentor team members by sharing technical expertise, ethanol industry knowledge, and lessons learned.
• DEVELOP AND MANAGE DESIGN SCOPE
• Lead development of the design scope by translating client goals and operational requirements into clear technical direction.
• Collaborate with owners, engineers, designers, vendors, and trade partners to define project needs and priorities.
• Develop and maintain design criteria, scope narratives, drawing lists, and coordination requirements.
• Facilitate owner and project coordination meetings to align expectations and resolve issues early.
• Coordinate design requirements across process, structural, mechanical, electrical, automation, procurement, and construction teams.
• Identify scope gaps, assumptions, risks, and constraints before they affect project outcomes.
• Support development of project budgets, schedules, staffing plans, and milestone planning.
• Maintain clear documentation of design decisions and project requirements throughout execution.
• GUIDE FACILITY LAYOUT AND DESIGN COORDINATION
• Develop and coordinate equipment layouts, access systems, utility spaces, maintenance areas, and facility support functions.
• Evaluate design alternatives based on safety, operability, constructability, maintainability, cost, and schedule impacts.
• Coordinate closely with process engineers, vendors, suppliers, fabrication teams, and construction partners.
• Review equipment arrangements, vendor drawings, models, and general arrangement layouts for integration and coordination.
• Identify opportunities to improve layouts, reduce costs, improve safety, and simplify installation.
• Support planning for prefabrication, construction sequencing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Ensure design solutions align with operational needs, maintenance requirements, and longterm facility performance.
• Communicate design recommendations and associated project impacts to clients and leadership.
• PROVIDES LEADERSHIP, MENTORSHIP, AND QUALITY OVERSIGHT
• Lead project design teams by establishing clear expectations, accountability, and ownership of deliverables.
• Mentor designers and engineers by providing technical guidance, coordination support, and constructive feedback.
• Promote strong design practices focused on safety, quality, constructability, maintainability, and operational excellence.
• Review drawings, models, and documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company standards.
• Support resolution of complex design challenges and remove obstacles that impact project progress.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Help identify training opportunities and development plans that strengthen overall team capability.
• Lead by example while demonstrating professionalism, responsiveness, and ownership.
• SUPPORTS PROJECT PLANNING, ESTIMATING, AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
• Support business development and project planning efforts by evaluating opportunities, risks, and design approaches.
• Prepare design estimates, staffing plans, and resource forecasts based on project requirements and complexity.
• Collaborate with estimating, engineering, operations, fabrication, procurement, and construction teams to align project assumptions.
• Provide technical input for conceptual layouts, facility planning, equipment arrangements, and proposal development.
• Monitor project commitments and support achievement of scope, budget, schedule, and quality objectives.
• Identify opportunities for standardization, prefabrication, modularization, and improved design efficiency.
• Apply lessons learned, field feedback, and operational experience to improve future project outcomes.
• Build client trust through technical credibility, practical problem solving, and consistent project support.
  
  

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related science field such as Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering.
• 15 years of experience.
• Certification of completion in Professional Engineer License (P.Eng), Certified Professional Engineer (PE), Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), Engineer in Training (EIT), Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE), and/or Lean Qualifications or willing to obtain.
• Working knowledge of basic computer programs like Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and online collaboration tools. Proficiency in Autodesk/Plant Design Suite products like and Revit and AutoCAD are desired, with knowledge of Inventor, Navisworks, etc., beneficial.
• Travel up to 20% or as needed, by air and ground.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Exerting 2050 pounds of force occasionally, 1025 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.
• Continuously requires vision, hearing, twisting, and talking.
• Frequently requires standing, fine dexterity, sitting, and handling, typical of office work.
• Must be able to ascend and descend ladders, scaffolds, and stairs, and work in confined spaces and near loud equipment.
• Must be able to position oneself to work in confined spaces such as trenches, pits, manholes, attics, and tunnels.
• Must be able to move safely over uneven, irregular, or steep terrain and within confined spaces.
• Must be able to respond quickly to sounds and see and respond to dangerous situations.
• Must be able to wear personal protective gear most of the day.
• Must be able to work in cold/hot environments and on concrete floors.
• Occasionally requires walking, lifting, carrying, reaching, kneeling, pushing/pulling, bending, and crouching.
• Must be able to stand for extended durations.
  
  

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.

Keen Project Solutions is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment (minorities, females, veterans, individuals with disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected categories in accordance with state and federal laws). Keen Project Solutions is a drug and alcohol-free workplace and background checks are required if applicable.

Benefits and additional Company Information is located on the career section of our website.

https://thinkdifferentthinkkeen.com/careers