About the company:
Transition Industries is dedicated to developing, building and operating net-zero methanol, ammonia and hydrogen facilities on a global scale, with the goal of leading the transition to net-zero emissions and combating climate change. Our flagship project, Pacifico Mexinol, will produce more than 2.1 million tons of methanol annually with net-zero carbon emissions, incorporating an innovative wastewater use solution. We are expanding our operations in North America to supply the global economy with clean and sustainable technologies. Our mission is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve natural resource efficiency and be environmentally friendly, working with a team of experts in finance, legal, environmental, engineering and large-scale operations.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a Senior Process Engineer with at least 15 years of experience in the process industry, especially in methanol, ammonia or other petrochemical production plants. The candidate will lead the process discipline as part of the client’s project management team, working with contractors and will be responsible for all phases of the project from design to operation.
Responsibilities:
1. Leadership in Discipline:
- Lead the design and optimization of processes for methanol production, including auxiliary systems such as cryogenic air gas separation unit (ASU), wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and hydrogen production by electrolysis. Also manage utility services such as cooling water, steam generation and instrument air.
- Lead and guarantee the review process of documents associated with the discipline and ensure the integration of multidisciplinary comments.
- Be the point of reference for the client team in front of the contractors, ensuring that the deliverables comply with the technical standards of safety and operation.
2. Value Engineering and Technical Reviews:
- Lead participation in HAZOP and P&ID review among others, evaluating and mitigating risks associated with the design and construction of the plant.
- Actively participate in project engineering reviews and ensure that all phases comply with international regulations and standards.
3. Process Engineering:
- Develop and coordinate studies of processes associated with the production of methanol and other related systems.
- Perform and participate in process simulations using specialized software such as Aspen HYSYS or other process simulation tools.
- Prepare, coordinate and review process engineering documents issued by contractors to meet client requirements.
- Review, coordination and analysis of the process emergency shutdown and depressurization system (ESD and Blow-Down Systems), operational procedures, process control and operability philosophies, among other deliverables inherent to the discipline.
- Review of the process license and coordination in the preparation of the operating manuals.
- Review process specifications for the main plant equipment (reactors, heat exchangers, distillation towers, compression systems, among others).
- Review optimal operating conditions to maximize methanol production efficiency while minimizing energy and raw material consumption.
- Ensure that design and operations comply with industry best practices and international standards (API, ASME, etc.).
- Coordinate the management of catalysts in POX reactors, ATR and other equipment, ensuring proper preservation and handling of these during their life cycle.
- Collaborate in catalyst life studies to maximize performance and minimize replacement costs, ensuring maximum efficiency in reactors.
- Identify and implement improvements in catalyst selection, optimizing their useful life and performance to improve efficiency in synthesis gas production.
- Lead the design and configuration of partial oxidation reactors (POX), ensuring the correct sizing and selection of materials to operate under extreme temperature and pressure conditions.
- Oversee the operation and monitoring of the POX reactor, identifying opportunities to improve the oxygen/fuel ratio and optimizing syngas production.
- Participate in the design and optimization of ATR (Autothermal Reformer) reactors, ensuring proper integration with other process units and optimizing synthesis gas production for methanol production.
- Review process simulation models to evaluate the behavior of the ATR reactor under different operating conditions, adjusting the proportion of oxygen, steam and methane to maximize efficiency.
- Review distillation schemes for the purification of crude methanol, ensuring compliance with final product purity specifications.
- Perform detailed analysis of distillation streams to identify potential contaminants and adjust operating parameters to improve separation efficiency.
- Optimize the operation of distillation columns by analyzing the efficiency of the separation stages, reducing energy consumption and maximizing methanol recovery.
- Implement advanced process control technologies in distillation columns to improve operational stability and ensure consistency in final product quality.
- Implement heat recovery strategies at the methanol plant to improve energy efficiency.
- Assist in the design and operation of auxiliary systems, such as water treatment and oxygen production units, ensuring the continuous and high-quality supply of the necessary inputs for the reactors.
4. Engineering and Procurement Management (EPC):
- Participate in the engineering, procurement, construction, pre-commissioning, commissioning and start-up phases, leading the process discipline throughout the project life cycle.
- Ensure that offer analysis parameters take into consideration factors associated with the discipline.
- Coordinate with other disciplines and contractors to ensure smooth execution of field activities, so that requirements during construction, commissioning and start-up activities are met.
- Supervise the work of contractors and ensure that the design, manufacture and installation of equipment meets technical specifications.
5. Risk Analysis and Process Safety:
- Lead Process Risk Analysis studies (PHA, HAZOP, What-If), identifying and mitigating potential operational risks.
- Develop and implement control measures to minimize safety risks, ensuring that process systems comply with safety and environmental regulations.
- Coordinate with process safety teams to ensure compliance with plant regulations and the protection of personnel and the environment.
6. Commissioning and Start-up Support:
- Lead the discipline during the plant commissioning and start-up phases, ensuring that all equipment and systems operate according to design specifications.
- Coordinate the supervision of performance testing to validate that process and utility systems operate according to expectations.
7. Knowledge Transfer and Mentoring:
- Ensure knowledge transfer to junior engineers, providing leadership in the discipline.
- Encourage the development of new talent and ensure the continuity of technical knowledge within the team.
Requirements:
- 15 or more years of experience in the process industry, preferably in methanol or ammonia production plants.
- Solid experience in catalyst management in processes associated with the production of methanol or similar products.
- Knowledge of water treatment systems, hydrogen production by electrolysis, and cryogenic separation of gases from air.
- Experience leading the process engineering discipline in large-scale EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) projects.
- Proven experience in commissioning and start-up activities for methanol production plants or similar products.
- Ability to coordinate and lead multidisciplinary teams and contractors, with a focus on solving complex problems.
- Advanced knowledge of methanol or similar product production technologies.
- Fluent English (both written and spoken) is a must.
- Availability for long-term international mobility and ability to work in multicultural environments.
Additional skills:
- Strong leadership skills, decision making and ability to work under pressure.
- Proactivity, with a focus on rapid problem resolution and ability to adapt to changes in the project.
- Ability to collaborate and coordinate with other technical disciplines.
- Strong focus on safety and regulatory compliance in all phases of the project.
This position offers the opportunity to lead the processes of a world-class methanol production plant, applying innovative and advanced technological solutions in the industry.