Process Engineer Intern, Summer 2022
TENTATIVE DATES:
May 18 - August 5, 2021
POSITION PURPOSE:
The purpose of this position is to assist with a variety of chemistry, mechanical system and engineering duties with a focus on supporting the production of biodiesel fuel and related co-products.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Technical Support
- Provide technical and engineering support to the biodiesel plants
- Obtain equipment specifications and price quotations for new or replacement equipment as needed
Research Function
- Perform background research on projects using journals and online tools such as SciFinder
Analysis Function
- Perform process engineering and design work on plant improvement projects
- Perform analysis on potential plant process optimizations and lead projects to implement improvements
- Conduct analyses and experiments to identify opportunities for improving or economizing operations without sacrificing product quality
- Recommend changes to improve efficiencies
Mechanical Systems
- Perform energy efficiency studies on key equipment and systems
- Assist in the sizing and selection of plant utility systems
- Assist with the implementation of maintenance and reliability programs with local plant management and maintenance personnel
- Become proficient in utilization of plant data historian programs such as PI in support of maintenance and reliability of equipment and systems
Capital Projects
- Obtain equipment specifications and price quotations for new or replacement projects
- Assist with bid packages and help evaluate and review project costs and budgets with the contractor
- Assist with the monitoring of contractor progress throughout the construction process including a final review of contractor work before the contractor leaves the site
Design and Review Process
- Assist in the development and evaluation of operational manuals as necessary
- Coordinate with contractors to accommodate design changes made during construction
- Review installation of process piping and equipment to ensure all items are installed per the technical drawings
- Evaluate and ensure safety procedures are being followed in plant operations and encourage others to do the same
- Look for ways to economize plant processes and installation as well as ways to maximize plant efficiencies
- Use computers and computer systems to set up functions, enter data, design models to simulate physical processes, and process information
Other frequent duties:
- Interact with various internal departments including sales, finance, logistics, quality and others to provide technical support and knowledge
- Provide technical expertise input as required in support of Research & Development department
- Conduct analyses to identify potential opportunities for improving operations within cost requirements without sacrificing product quality
- Recommend changes to gain efficiencies from completed operations analysis
Perform other duties as assigned
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
Education Required: Pursuing a bachelor’s degree – Chemical/Mechanical Engineering or related degree
**Senior or Junior status required
Experience Required: Laboratory experience required
**Relevant courses, club participation and internship preferred
Skills Required:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Visio)
- Basic accounting skills
- Advanced math skills
Special skills or knowledge preferred:
- Ability to give detailed instructions
- Process simulations
- Process data historians
- Project Management
- Biodiesel production or related processes