Principal Process Engineer

About the job: 

Kent is looking for a Principal Process Engineer for a full-time position based in our Corpus Christi, TX office.

The role requires a strong refining background and at least 15 years of process engineering experience, including FEED and detailed design execution within an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) environment.

The successful candidate will serve as a client-facing Process Engineering focal point, representing Kent in technical discussions, defining project scope, resolving technical issues, and leading process engineering delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Lead process engineering execution for refining projects in the Corpus Christi office, with accountability for technical quality, schedule, and budget performance across pre-FEED, FEED, detailed design, and EPC execution.
• Serve as Kent’s client-facing Process Engineering focal point, leading technical discussions, communicating recommendations, resolving technical issues, and aligning engineering execution with project objectives and client expectations.
• Develop, review, and approve critical process engineering deliverables, taking responsibility for their technical accuracy and completeness, including:
  • Design Basis / Design Criteria
  • Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) and Heat & Material Balances
  • Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
  • Hydraulic and line sizing calculations
  • Relief valve contingency analysis and sizing calculations
  • Relief system load summaries
  • Equipment and instrument datasheets
  • Process Control Narratives
• Lead process engineering teams, setting technical direction, prioritizing work, and providing oversight across multiple engineers and scopes; mentor and develop engineers while maintaining accountability for deliverable quality and consistency.
• Plan and manage process engineering scope, including development of manhour estimates, staffing plans, and input to project schedules; monitor performance and maintain alignment with project objectives.
• Contribute to proposal development and project positioning, including scope definition, technical input, and basis of estimate development; identify and pursue opportunities for follow-on work with existing and new clients.
• Work directly with refinery operations, technical, and project teams to define scope, confirm design requirements, and develop practical solutions that meet facility needs; maintain client relationships at the working and project leadership levels.
• Lead P&ID reviews and design workshops; participate in HAZOPs and technical review meetings, ensuring actions are resolved and incorporated into the design.
• Drive multi-discipline coordination with piping, mechanical, I&C, electrical, and CSA teams, ensuring process intent is properly translated into design deliverables.
• Coordinate execution across multiple offices and engineering centers, effectively utilizing distributed resources while maintaining consistency in technical quality and delivery expectations.
• Review and challenge engineering designs from an owner/operator perspective, identifying risks related to process safety, operability, maintainability, constructability, and long-term reliability.
• Oversee process simulations and design calculations, ensuring appropriate application and validation of results.
• Support vendor and package activities, including technical bid evaluations, vendor document reviews, and resolution of technical queries.
• Provide field support as required, including site visits, walkdowns, constructability reviews, commissioning, and start-up support.
• Identify and communicate scope changes, technical risks, and potential impacts to cost and schedule; support development of mitigation strategies with project leadership.
• Support brownfield project execution, including tie-in definition, battery limits, and coordination with operating facilities.
• Contribute to development and continuous improvement of engineering procedures, guidelines, and work practices; provide technical leadership within the office and across projects.
• Apply sound engineering judgment to balance technical rigor with practical execution, delivering solutions that are safe, operable, and constructible.
• Ensure all work is executed in accordance with applicable company, client, and regulatory requirements, with a strong focus on safety and quality.

In addition to the responsibilities listed herein, the employee may be required to perform other ad hoc tasks as needed or directed by the supervisor or management. These tasks will be within the reasonable scope of the employee's skills, capabilities, and role within the organization. The intent of this provision is to allow for flexibility and adaptability in meeting the dynamic needs of the organization, ensuring that operational requirements can be met efficiently. All such tasks will be assigned considering the employee's current workload and with respect to their professional development.

Knowledge/ Qualification/ Training/ Certification: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) required; Texas licensure preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of process engineering experience, including substantial refining experience and demonstrated responsibility for project delivery; candidates with 20+ years of experience are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated experience working for an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, including leading process engineering execution through FEED and detailed design.
• Strong knowledge of refinery process units, utilities, and offsites, including the design considerations associated with modifications to operating facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead process engineering scope, including planning work, developing manhour estimates, coordinating resources, and managing technical quality, schedule, and budget performance.
• Demonstrated ability to establish the design approach, develop and review engineering deliverables, and take responsibility for the technical integrity of process engineering work.
• Strong analytical capability and command of process engineering fundamentals, including process simulation, equipment sizing, hydraulic analysis, relief systems, and process control.
• Practical experience applying process safety principles in design, including participation in HAZOPs and use of Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Proven ability to represent an engineering contractor as a client-facing Process Engineering focal point, lead technical discussions, communicate recommendations, and resolve technical issues with refinery clients and owner/operators.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams and execute work across multiple offices or engineering centers.
• Experience supporting brownfield projects and field activities, including site walkdowns, tie-in identification, constructability reviews, commissioning, or start-up.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical issues clearly to engineering teams, project management, and client stakeholders.
• U.S. Gulf Coast refining project experience preferred; familiarity with Corpus Christi area facilities is beneficial.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and ethical engineering practices in alignment with company, client, and regulatory requirements.

Communication:

• Communicates clearly and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with clients, owner/operator representatives, project management, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Leads client meetings and technical discussions, explains design decisions, and presents recommendations with confidence and sound technical reasoning.
• Communicates scope changes, technical risks, and impacts to cost and schedule promptly, supporting resolution with clients and project teams.

Behavior/ Core Competencies:

At Kent, you will be expected to operate with a high degree of professional judgment, accountability, and autonomy, while remaining aligned with project and organizational objectives. In this role:

• Works independently and takes responsibility for technical decisions and project delivery, involving the appropriate stakeholders when needed.
• Applies engineering judgment and practical refining experience to resolve technical challenges.
• Provides technical leadership and mentoring to less-experienced engineers; sets clear expectations for quality and timely delivery.
• Represents Kent professionally and builds effective working relationships with clients, project teams, and other engineering disciplines.
• Responds to changing project priorities and client needs while managing commitments and communicating impacts.
• Maintains technical knowledge of refining processes, engineering standards, and industry practices relevant to the role.

HSSEQ:

• Comply with all Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment, and Quality (HSSEQ) requirements of the Company, its clients, and applicable regulatory authorities.
• Integrate HSSEQ considerations into engineering decisions and day-to-day work, ensuring designs are safe, operable, and aligned with applicable standards and practices.
• Identify and communicate HSSEQ risks or concerns in a timely manner and support development and implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.