Plant Engineer

Bakelite is seeking a Plant Engineer in Lufkin, TX to be responsible for providing technical support and leadership to plant for reliability improvement activities and assist with the mechanical integrity program. The Plant Engineer will ensure compliance with OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.119 and our internal process safety standards. They will work closely with Operations and Maintenance personnel to evaluate, develop and implement cost effective reliability improvements at the site. This position is responsible for developing the scope of work, cost estimates, project economics and schedules for reliability, mechanical and routine capital projects. The Plant Engineer will report directly to the site Maintenance Leader and work with the Production Leaders to set appropriate priorities. They will ensure the plants adheres to engineering best practices relative to ASME, API, company engineering standards and other codes and standards that apply. Participates as a team member is Process Hazard Analysis (PHAs) and Management of Change (MOCs).

Essential Functions:

Site Engineering Leadership

• Responsible for reliability improvement of “bad actors”. Regularly engage Mechanics and Operators to learn, optimize and troubleshoot equipment and process issues.
• Champion and lead process and plant improvement initiatives. Conceive, design, obtain funding, and manage installation of improvement projects within scope.
• Support Production and Maintenance troubleshooting efforts including data gathering and automation tools.
• Assist the Production Leaders in identifying and implementing capacity creation improvements through equipment or control upgrades.
• Optimize productivity by designing and installing new equipment.
• Assemble reports to document equipment status and changes.
• Track metrics to discover areas for improvement and monitor upgrades. Communicate findings and proposals to site leaders.
• Assist with identification, development, and implementation of capital projects to improve safety, reliability, environmental compliance, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Conduct and use MOC process to document and control equipment and process changes.
• Lead and contribute to capital and non-capital improvement projects throughout the site.
• Participate in equipment and process upset investigations, including root cause failure analysis.
• Support continuous improvement in plant operations as needed for process and production issues.
• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and in Reliability Improvement Teams.
• Support PSM Management Systems.

Safety

• Ensure that company Safe Work Practices are properly followed.
• Ensure OSHA PSM standards, including Management of Change (MOCs) are properly followed.
• Assist in PHA reviews.
• Actively participates in the site safety committee.
• Participates in safety incident investigations and provides solutions to prevent recurrences.
• Drive and promote ownership of the safety program throughout the site.
• Ensure PFDs, P&IDs, and Electrical One-Line Diagrams are up to date and accurate.
• Ensure that assigned compliance items are properly completed.

Quality

• Participate in Quality incident investigations and provide equipment/reliability solutions to prevent recurrences.

Environmental

• Help ensure environmental policies and practices are properly followed.
• Support the development and implementation of environmental programs and regulations.
• Participate in environmental incident investigations and assist with providing solutions to prevent recurrences.
• Recommend waste reduction methods and changes to reduce process waste.
• Ensure that assigned compliance items are completed.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minimum of 5 years of plant engineering or similar experience. Chemical manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong technical equipment understanding and problem-solving skills.
• Planning capacity for coordination of multidisciplinary work.
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to work well and communicate in a timely manner with staff at all company levels.
• Strong technical IT knowledge with CMMS system experience.
• Demonstrated ability to read and draw standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings (P&ID, PFD, and Electrical One-Line Diagrams and Isometrics).
• Working knowledge of mechanical integrity inspection methods, programs and program management.
• Working knowledge of RCFA and FMEA methods, preventative and predictive maintenance methods, including vibration analysis, ultrasonic thickness testing, lube oil analysis, and infrared thermography.
• Working knowledge of API 510, 620, 650, 653, ASME Section VIII - Division 1, and ASME B31.3.
• Excellent computer skills and experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).