Process Engineer

Title: Process Engineer

Location: Pasadena, Texas

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 12,000 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 Process Engineer is responsible for ensuring efficient, safe, and cost-effective production by analyzing process data, improving operational performance, and maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards. This role involves identifying opportunities to enhance quality, increase capacity, reduce emissions, and improve safety while addressing critical equipment reliability and minimizing downtime. The ideal candidate will drive continuous improvement through collaboration, technical expertise, and adherence to best practices in manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

Process Optimization & Performance

• Analyze process data to maintain production within specification and identify opportunities to improve quality, capacity, and safety while reducing emissions.
• Initiate, develop, and coordinate projects to optimize performance and resolve process upsets, ensuring preventive measures are in place.
• Collect and analyze process data to identify improvement areas, troubleshoot issues, and assist in developing engineering solutions.
• Contribute to the analysis and specification of machinery, equipment, and methods to improve manufacturing processes, quality, and cost objectives.

Equipment Reliability

• Evaluate critical equipment availability and reliability to minimize downtime and enhance operational efficiency.
• Assist in drafting engineering standards and specifications, conducting quality inspections, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Safety & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with process safety elements for PSM-covered operations and develop safety procedures aligned with environmental regulations.
• Coordinate subcontractor and supplier activities, acting as a primary contact under project or contract management plans.

Warehouse Support

• Partner with warehouse personnel to evaluate material handling workflows and identify process improvements that support production efficiency and inventory accuracy.
• Provide technical support for warehouse equipment and layout optimization to improve throughput and reduce handling-related losses.
• Assist in developing and documenting standard operating procedures for warehouse operations, ensuring alignment with safety and regulatory requirements.

Professional Development

• Participate in training programs to maintain industry knowledge, improve performance, and achieve professional growth and accreditation goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical) or graduating with your engineering degree in May 2026
• Minimum of 6 months of process engineering experience in a chemical plant.
• Experience with chemical plant equipment such as: distillation columns, chemical reactors, solids handling and drying systems, extruders, pumps, and control systems.
• Experience with safety and environmental regulations associated with chemical plant operation.
• Foundational knowledge of chemical processes, process design, or production engineering
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Ability to prioritize work to meet business critical goals and tasks
• Must have some functional knowledge of safe work practices, plant safety rules, environmental compliance, and PSM
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, creative thinking, consulting, and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritize work to manage multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving/decision-making skills.
• Ability to multi-task
• 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.

Please apply online at: http://www.kuraray.us.com/careers/

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

No third-party candidates accepted.