Description
Summary
The Process Engineer provides technical support for the ammonia production facility and key unit operations within the Simplot Mining & Manufacturing Division. This role supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the ammonia plant, with a strong emphasis on steam methane reforming (SMR), reformer operation, and related hydrogen generation processes. Responsibilities include troubleshooting, optimization, process safety evaluations, and improvement projects involving ammonia production, storage, and handling.
While this role initially focuses on site level support, it offers future growth opportunities that may include broader leadership in enterprise wide ammonia strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Provide day to day technical support for SMR, shift conversion, syngas generation, ammonia synthesis, and associated utilities.
Evaluate process performance and recommend improvements to increase safety, reliability, efficiency, and throughput.
Support troubleshooting of plant upsets, equipment performance issues, and process deviations.
Participate in incident investigations and root cause analyses.
Contribute to Process Safety Management (PSM) activities including PHAs, MOCs, and operating procedure updates.
Assist in environmental compliance activities and permitting documentation related to ammonia and SMR operations.
Support capital, reliability, and debottlenecking projects by contributing to process design elements such as PFDs, P&IDs, mass and energy balances, and equipment specifications
Provide technical guidance to operations and maintenance teams, including training on SMR and ammonia process fundamentals.
Support the development and application of best practices for ammonia handling, storage, and distribution across assigned facilities.
Collaborate with senior engineers and site leadership to drive continuous improvement.
Typical Education
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
Relevant Experience
5–8 years of experience in ammonia production, syngas generation, or closely related chemical processes.
Direct experience with steam methane reforming is required, including reformer operation, catalyst performance, and heatbalance fundamentals.
Familiarity with OSHA 1910.119 and Process Safety Management principles.
Experience with process modeling tools (e.g., Aspen HYSYS) preferred but not required.
Strong analytical and problemsolving skills with the ability to work crossfunctionally in operations environments.
Other Information
This position reports to the Director of Process Engineering in Pocatello, ID and will provide support to multiple facilities in the Western US.
Home office location will have flexibility between production facility locations in Pocatello, ID or Rock Springs, WY
Travel is expected to be up to 40-50%, depending on home location
