Lead Process Engineer

Elevation Recruitment recruiting Lead Process Engineer to help deliver turnkey process plant solutions.

This is a senior leadership role, responsible for ensuring the technical integrity, safety, and performance of process design across the full project lifecycle—from concept through to commissioning and client handover.

Acting as the technical authority for process engineering, you will provide expert oversight and governance across all engineering activities. You’ll be the key interface between internal teams, clients, and EPC partners, ensuring designs meet contractual, regulatory, and industry standards while protecting the integrity of the approved process design.

Process Design & Governance

• Define and maintain the process design basis, standards, and engineering philosophies
• Establish operating envelopes, limits, and technical assumptions
• Ensure compliance with internal governance and assurance processes

Process Safety & Compliance

• Lead or oversee HAZID, HAZOP, LOPA and related studies
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and environmental standards (e.g. COMAH/Seveso)
• Embed inherent safety principles into all design activities

Technical Authority & Design Approval

• Act as final sign-off authority for process engineering deliverables
• Approve PFDs, P&IDs, calculations, equipment sizing, and datasheets
• Review and approve technical deviations and value engineering proposals

Client & EPC Interface

• Serve as the primary technical contact for clients and EPC partners
• Support design reviews, technical clarifications, and project delivery discussions
• Safeguard the integrity of the approved design throughout execution

Installation & Site Support

• Provide technical oversight during procurement, fabrication, and construction
• Review technical queries, NCRs, and site modifications
• Ensure all changes remain within safety and design parameters

Commissioning & Handover

• Approve commissioning strategies and startup procedures
• Support performance testing and contractual guarantee validation
• Ensure accurate and complete documentation for handover

Qualifications & Training

• Degree in Chemical Engineering (or similar) – essential
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards (desirable)
• Process safety training (e.g. HAZOP leadership) advantageous

Experience

• 10+ years in chemical process engineering or manufacturing environments
• Proven experience in a senior or lead process engineering role
• Experience delivering plant design and installation projects
• Background working with EPC contractors, suppliers, or technology providers
• Hands-on commissioning, start-up, and performance testing experience

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of process design including mass & energy balances
• Experience with pressure drop calculations and equipment selection (pumps/fans)
• Knowledge of heat transfer equipment and process systems
• Experience with powder handling and/or solid-liquid separation (desirable)
• Ability to develop PFDs, P&IDs, and process layouts
• Familiarity with control systems, interlocks, and sequence logic
• Experience writing scopes of work, SOPs, and risk assessments

Skills & Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Confident decision-maker with the ability to challenge constructively
• Clear and authoritative communicator
• Methodical approach to safety and risk management

• Based in Chesterfield (4 days per week on-site, Fridays from home)
• Occasional international travel to client and supplier sites
• Opportunity for extended overseas commissioning assignments (from year 2)
• Full UK driving licence and valid passport required