Process Engineer

We are seeking a Process Engineer to join our team in Joliet, IL. The Process Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing chemical manufacturing processes to ensure safe, reliable, and cost‑effective operations. This role leads process design activities, develops and maintains P&IDs, and serves as a key technical leader for Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) efforts. The Process Engineer works closely with operations, maintenance, capital project teams, and process safety to ensure processes meet performance, quality, and regulatory requirements throughout the lifecycle of the facility.

What You Will Do:

Process Design & Engineering

• Design and develop chemical manufacturing processes from concept through implementation, including mass and energy balances, equipment sizing, and process specifications.
• Develop, review, and maintain Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) to accurately reflect process design and operating intent.
• Define safe operating limits, process control strategies, and design criteria for new and existing processes.
• Support capital projects by providing process design input, participating in design reviews, and ensuring process requirements are incorporated into equipment and system designs.

Process Safety & Risk Management

• Support Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), including HAZOPs, for new processes, modifications, and periodic revalidations.
• Ensure PHA recommendations are clearly documented, technically sound, and supported through closure in accordance with site and corporate process safety requirements.
• Support Management of Change (MOC) activities by evaluating process safety impacts and updating process documentation as required

Operations & Continuous Improvement

• Provide technical support to manufacturing operations to troubleshoot process issues, improve reliability, and optimize throughput, yield, and energy efficiency.
• Analyze process data to identify improvement opportunities and lead or support implementation of process changes.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, and quality teams to resolve chronic issues and support safe startup and shutdown activities.

Documentation & Standards

• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date engineering documentation, including P&IDs, operating envelopes, process descriptions, and calculations.
• Ensure process designs comply with applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA PSM), corporate engineering standards, and recognized industry practices.
• Participate in audits, incident investigations, and root cause analyses related to process safety or performance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 2 - 5 years of experience in a chemical manufacturing or process industry environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining P&IDs and leading or participating in PHAs.
• Strong understanding of process safety principles, including hazard identification, safe operating limits, and MOC.
• Ability to work effectively in cross‑functional teams and communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in batch and/or continuous chemical processes.
• Familiarity with capital project execution and commissioning/start‑up activities.
• Experience with process simulation tools and data analysis.
• Working knowledge of applicable regulations (e.g., OSHA PSM, EPA RMP) and corporate process safety standards.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Safety‑focused mindset with attention to detail
• Technical leadership and facilitation skills (especially for PHAs)
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a manufacturing environment

The pay range for this position is $85,900.00 - $128,900.00. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.

Benefits 

Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits. 

If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.