Principal Process Engineer - Kuraray America

Title: Principal Process Engineer

Location: LaPorte, TX

Who we are:

Voted one of the Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work for, Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production. With top-of-the-line research and production facilities and a vast network of supplies from around the world, Kuraray leads the industry in specialty dental, fiber, resin, and elastomer products. Kuraray America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Company, Ltd. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Kuraray has operations in 31 countries and employs more than 11,000 employees, including over 800 in the United States.

Why Kuraray:

Kuraray is building a better tomorrow, today. Our team members are dedicated to expanding our business with committed professionals who share essential values such as integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability.

As a part of Kuraray America, Inc., our team shares the advantages of working for the leader in specialty chemicals, resins, and fibers. Our international presence and resources allow us to be a world-leading innovator in the industries we service. Yet, despite our size, our people are more than just a number. As a new team member, you can expect to earn responsibility quickly. Our commitment to our people is visible in our comprehensive benefits package. As a Kuraray team member, you will have the opportunity to enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, incentive opportunities, and an excellent work environment.

Position summary:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide troubleshooting, technical assistance, and engineering design activities on projects with the aim of increasing production and improving quality while meeting high process safety and environmental standards. This position will also be the SME of Kuraray Pipeline to provide technical guidance for the safe, efficient, and effective operations of our pipelines. Use sound engineering practices, experience, and process safety management principles to assure safe and efficient plant operations.

Responsibilities:

• Design and improve manufacturing processes and systems to meet cost, quality, and efficiency objectives while ensuring compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.
• Provide day-to-day troubleshooting for deviations from normal operation and recommend effective solutions to maintain process reliability and performance.
• Initiate, sponsor, and lead scope definition and engineering activities for mid-size and large capital and expense projects, ensuring adherence to standards and codes from conceptual phases through startup.
• Lead or participate in safety, environmental, and production incident investigations using root cause failure analysis methodologies.
• Identify and implement process improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, capacity, and emissions reduction while analyzing cost-benefit and justification.
• Maintain accurate as-built plant documentation and ensure adherence to documentation standards in assigned areas.
• Prepare and analyze project costings and contribute to budgeting efforts by delivering accurate financial analyses.
• Develop and maintain knowledge management systems to support the organization's continuous improvement goals.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers and interns, sharing technical expertise and offering constructive feedback to build team capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. Chemical Engineering
• Minimum of 10 years of directly related engineering experience in a chemical, petrochemical, or oil refinery environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in chemical processes with strong knowledge of engineering principles and various unit operations and chemical plant equipment.
• Proven experience in OSHA PSM (Process Safety Management) covered processes.
• Proficient in process design, troubleshooting, and the evaluation of complex systems for quality and integrity.
• Skilled in engineering inspections and conducting justifications and cost-effective solutions.
• Strong project management capabilities with a history of successfully managing multiple projects or initiatives simultaneously.
• Deep understanding of safety and environmental regulations and standards.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and cross-functional environment, collaborating with drafters, engineers, technicians, maintenance personnel, and contractors.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to understand and explain complex problems and solutions.
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to manage priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated collaboration and influencing skills, fostering teamwork across diverse teams.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with limited supervision.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication, including presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Creative thinking, consulting, and analytical abilities to develop innovative and practical solutions.

• Candidates must have a valid driver's license.

Competencies:

• Customer Focus
  • Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Business Insight
  • Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals.
• Cultivates Innovation
  • Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.

• Action Oriented
  • Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Ensures Accountability
  • Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.
• Drives Results
  • Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstance
• Collaborates
  • Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Values Difference
  • Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
• Communicates Effectively
  • Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Courage
  • Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
• Instills Trust
  • Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Situational Adaptability
  • Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes base pay and an annual incentive. This program is designed to reward individual performance and align overall rewards with corporate and team performance.

Our employees benefit from a robust healthcare package that includes wellness reimbursements, along with generous perks such as three weeks of paid time off, ten company holidays, paid parental leave, education reimbursement, and a matching 401k plan, among other offerings.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.

Learn more at kuraray.us.com/careers/

Kuraray America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer AA M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

No third-party candidates accepted.