Process and Commissioning Engineer

Mendell Helium plc offers a hybrid, site‑based role in Dodge City, KS that combines hands‑on engineering leadership with long term growth across US operations. You will lead the purification of helium from PSA assets, optimize commissioning activities, and scale gas‑purification systems as new wells come online. The position carries a competitive annual salary between USD 100,000 and 150,000, with a clear path to impact and career development.

What we offer

• 401(k) plan
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Responsibilities

• Process Audit and Diagnosis: regularly assess the PSA system’s physical process design, evaluating fluid kinetics, gas velocity limits, and cycle profiles to remove bottlenecks.
• Logic and Sequence Optimization: oversee automation and valve sequencing layouts; refine timing to maximize helium purity and recovery.
• Hands-on Field Remediation: trace wiring and piping, map I/O at control panels, instrument manifolds, and junction boxes to improve physical sequencing.
• Continuous Plant Expansion: serve as the engineering anchor for growth; evaluate incoming gas streams from new wells, scale purification architectures, and adjust the system for higher output.

Requirements

• Education: a Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) in Chemical, Process, or Petroleum Engineering or equivalent engineering experience.
• Core Engineering Experience: 5+ years performing process design calculations, including mass transfer zones, adsorption kinetics, gas velocity calculations, balances, and gas purification architectures.
• Hands‑on Electrical & Instrumentation: comfortable with field work, using a multimeter, tracing unmapped wiring, debugging I/O loops, and working directly on solenoid valves and instrument panels.
• System Logic & Troubleshooting: strong ability to diagnose industrial control loops, valve sequencing, and automated cycle logic on PLC/control platforms such as AutomationDirect or Allen‑Bradley.
• P&ID Literacy: advanced ability to read, interpret, and create Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams and electrical schematics aligned to actual field hardware.

Technologies

• AutomationDirect
• Allen‑Bradley
• PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption)
• VPSA (Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption)
• Multimeter

The Phase 1 challenge

The immediate focus is to support the recently rebuilt PSA gas separation asset. You will analyze fluid dynamics, compute bed height matrices and gas velocity limits, verify adsorption and desorption cycles, and manage process logic and valve sequencing. Regular tuning and performance testing will align the asset with the specific gas composition.

The Phase 2 opportunity

Beyond initial tuning, this role evolves into ongoing stewardship of purification systems as new wellhead streams come online. The long‑term scope emphasizes engineering leadership to continuously manage, refine, and troubleshoot operations, while designing and implementing new components to raise final helium purification yields.

The opportunity

We seek a capable, analytical Process and Chemical Engineer to oversee gas purification and the plant engineering roadmap across our US operations.

Schedule, travel & reporting

Reporting to the VP of US Operations and collaborating with the Site Manager, the role follows standard hours Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, with a flexible framework aligned to site management. While routine on‑call duties are not required, occasional weekend work may be necessary to meet commissioning deadlines or travel timing, with time off in lieu.

Initial on‑site commitment is 4–5 days per week or a structured 2–3 days per week, with travel and lodging costs reimbursed. After commissioning, the role shifts to a hybrid schedule focused on optimization, data analysis, and new well tie‑ins.

Work location

Hybrid remote in Dodge City, KS 67801

Compensation

Salary range: USD 100,000 – 150,000 per year