Airswift is looking for a Sr. Process Engineer to support one of our clients.
The successful candidate will step into an established project environment and keep the EPC on track, respond to technical queries, review and approve deliverables, and safeguard the integrity of the process design — all within a defined scope. This is not a design-from-scratch role. It requires strong process engineering judgment, EPC oversight experience, and the confidence to own decisions on behalf of the technology.
Project Context
Active FEL 1 study with EPC engaged; prior FEL 1–3 history exists on the project
Technology is proprietary — contractor will represent and protect the technology owner’s interests throughout
EPC is responsible for execution; this role provides technical oversight, review, and direction-setting on behalf of the owner
Aspen process simulation model exists and may require modification to support ongoing FEL 1 work
Engagement is structured as ~3 weeks joint handover followed by ~12 weeks solo coverage; extension possible
Key Responsibilities
EPC Oversight & Study Management
Serve as the day-to-day process engineering point of contact with the EPC during the coverage period
Attend and lead (or co-lead) weekly progress meetings; track action items and hold the EPC accountable to schedule and scope
Manage the EPC needs list — field technical questions, provide timely responses, and escalate issues appropriately
Monitor FEL 1 progress against milestones; flag risks or scope creep to the project manager
Technical Review & Approval
Review and approve the Basic Engineering Package (BEP), including mass and heat balances and Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) — with input from Manufacturing, R&D, and Marketing as required
Co-approve Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (PIDs) following review and input from Manufacturing
Review detailed engineering documents and assess compliance with the BEP
Review PIDs for construction requirements and process control equipment
Review critical equipment lists and approve purchase specifications, with Manufacturing alignment
Process Modeling
Modify and maintain the existing Aspen process model as required to support FEL 1 deliverables
Validate simulation outputs against mass and energy balances; document assumptions and flag discrepancies
Technical Basis & Risk
Set or confirm product and raw material specifications in coordination with R&D, Marketing, and Manufacturing
Identify and evaluate process risks and uncertainties; complete risk analyses within the FEL 1 scope
Ensure the process design can meet applicable safety and environmental requirements, with input from Manufacturing and HSE
Interface & Continuity
Act as the active interface between R&D, Engineering, and Manufacturing for process information during the contract period
Identify gaps in process data and initiate or coordinate activities to address them where required
Document decisions, assumptions, and open items throughout; deliver a structured handback summary at contract end
Qualifications
Required
10+ years of process engineering experience in specialty chemicals, oleochemicals, petrochemicals, or a closely related sector
Hands-on experience overseeing or managing EPC contractors in a technology-owner or owner’s-engineer capacity
Strong working knowledge of PFD and PID review and approval through FEL and FEED-stage projects
Working experience with multi-stage vacuum distillation systems — design, simulation, and troubleshooting
Familiarity with liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) systems, including electrolyte or reactive systems
Experience with hydrogenation and/or esterification unit operations at commercial or pilot scale
Proficiency in Aspen Plus or Aspen HYSYS — ability to navigate, modify, and interrogate an existing simulation model
Proven ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain momentum on an active project without close supervision
Preferred
Background in heavy organic chemistry, fatty acid processing, or related reactive separation chemistry
Experience with high-pressure or high-temperature unit operations in a process safety–conscious environment
Previous experience in a continuity, secondment, or owner’s engineer role — comfortable inheriting an established project mid-stream
Familiarity with capital project stage-gate processes (FEL 1–3, pre-FEED, FEED) and associated deliverable sets
Experience coordinating between R&D, Manufacturing, and external engineering contractors in a technology scale-up or commercialization context
The successful candidate will step into an established project environment and keep the EPC on track, respond to technical queries, review and approve deliverables, and safeguard the integrity of the process design — all within a defined scope. This is not a design-from-scratch role. It requires strong process engineering judgment, EPC oversight experience, and the confidence to own decisions on behalf of the technology.
Project Context
Active FEL 1 study with EPC engaged; prior FEL 1–3 history exists on the project
Technology is proprietary — contractor will represent and protect the technology owner’s interests throughout
EPC is responsible for execution; this role provides technical oversight, review, and direction-setting on behalf of the owner
Aspen process simulation model exists and may require modification to support ongoing FEL 1 work
Engagement is structured as ~3 weeks joint handover followed by ~12 weeks solo coverage; extension possible
Key Responsibilities
EPC Oversight & Study Management
Serve as the day-to-day process engineering point of contact with the EPC during the coverage period
Attend and lead (or co-lead) weekly progress meetings; track action items and hold the EPC accountable to schedule and scope
Manage the EPC needs list — field technical questions, provide timely responses, and escalate issues appropriately
Monitor FEL 1 progress against milestones; flag risks or scope creep to the project manager
Technical Review & Approval
Review and approve the Basic Engineering Package (BEP), including mass and heat balances and Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) — with input from Manufacturing, R&D, and Marketing as required
Co-approve Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (PIDs) following review and input from Manufacturing
Review detailed engineering documents and assess compliance with the BEP
Review PIDs for construction requirements and process control equipment
Review critical equipment lists and approve purchase specifications, with Manufacturing alignment
Process Modeling
Modify and maintain the existing Aspen process model as required to support FEL 1 deliverables
Validate simulation outputs against mass and energy balances; document assumptions and flag discrepancies
Technical Basis & Risk
Set or confirm product and raw material specifications in coordination with R&D, Marketing, and Manufacturing
Identify and evaluate process risks and uncertainties; complete risk analyses within the FEL 1 scope
Ensure the process design can meet applicable safety and environmental requirements, with input from Manufacturing and HSE
Interface & Continuity
Act as the active interface between R&D, Engineering, and Manufacturing for process information during the contract period
Identify gaps in process data and initiate or coordinate activities to address them where required
Document decisions, assumptions, and open items throughout; deliver a structured handback summary at contract end
Qualifications
Required
10+ years of process engineering experience in specialty chemicals, oleochemicals, petrochemicals, or a closely related sector
Hands-on experience overseeing or managing EPC contractors in a technology-owner or owner’s-engineer capacity
Strong working knowledge of PFD and PID review and approval through FEL and FEED-stage projects
Working experience with multi-stage vacuum distillation systems — design, simulation, and troubleshooting
Familiarity with liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) systems, including electrolyte or reactive systems
Experience with hydrogenation and/or esterification unit operations at commercial or pilot scale
Proficiency in Aspen Plus or Aspen HYSYS — ability to navigate, modify, and interrogate an existing simulation model
Proven ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and maintain momentum on an active project without close supervision
Preferred
Background in heavy organic chemistry, fatty acid processing, or related reactive separation chemistry
Experience with high-pressure or high-temperature unit operations in a process safety–conscious environment
Previous experience in a continuity, secondment, or owner’s engineer role — comfortable inheriting an established project mid-stream
Familiarity with capital project stage-gate processes (FEL 1–3, pre-FEED, FEED) and associated deliverable sets
Experience coordinating between R&D, Manufacturing, and external engineering contractors in a technology scale-up or commercialization context
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