Chemical Process Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Chemical Process Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students, with STEM OPT extension eligibility giving you up to three years of work authorization. Most roles in refining, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals require a bachelor's or master's in chemical engineering, which directly satisfies H-1B specialty occupation requirements.
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Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary
RCM Thermal Kinetics specializes in mass transfer and advanced separations and is seeking a Chemical Process Engineer (3–7 years experience) to support process design and project execution. This role is hands-on and cross-functional, often with direct client interface supporting both engineering and business development, and involves travel to jobsites.
Core Responsibilities
Process Design & Simulation:
- Develop and simulate:
- Distillation columns (multi-component systems)
- Dehydration systems (molecular sieve, azeotropic)
- Evaporation and thermal separation systems
- Use tools such as:
- CHEMCAD
- HTRI Xchanger
- Perform:
- Material & energy balances
- Column sizing (trays, packing, reflux optimization)
- Heat Exchanger sizing
- Work with vendors:
- Koch-Glitsch (distillation internals, towers)
- Sulzer Chemtech (distillation, extraction, crystallization)
Equipment & System Design:
- Specify and design:
- Static equipment such as distillation columns, heat exchangers, tanks, separators, vessels
- Rotating equipment such as centrifugal pumps, liquid ring vacuum pumps, blowers
- Vapor and liquid line sizing
- Instrumentation and valves such as: control valves, manual valves, flow / level / pressure / temperature instrumentation
- Interface with designers, engineers of other disciplines, and fabricators
Project Execution:
- Participate in:
- FEED studies
- Detailed design
- Commissioning support
- Troubleshooting and optimization
- Travel to client sites for:
- Data collection
- Startup support and troubleshooting
Client Interaction:
- Work directly with plant engineers and operators
- Support proposals and technical sales
- Present process solutions to clients
Qualifications
Required:
- B.S. in Chemical Engineering or other Engineering Degree
- 3–7 years experience in:
- Process design or plant operations
- Experience with:
- Distillation, heat exchangers, and separations (strongly preferred)
- CHEMCAD
- HTRI Xchanger
- Strong fundamentals in:
- Thermodynamics
- Mass transfer
Preferred:
- Experience in:
- Ethanol or biofuels
- Industrial gas processing
- Specialty chemicals
- Field / plant experience
- Exposure to skid-mounted systems
RCM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and the level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. RCM reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
Position Summary
RCM Thermal Kinetics specializes in mass transfer and advanced separations and is seeking a Chemical Process Engineer (3–7 years experience) to support process design and project execution. This role is hands-on and cross-functional, often with direct client interface supporting both engineering and business development, and involves travel to jobsites.
Core Responsibilities
Process Design & Simulation:
- Develop and simulate:
- Distillation columns (multi-component systems)
- Dehydration systems (molecular sieve, azeotropic)
- Evaporation and thermal separation systems
- Use tools such as:
- CHEMCAD
- HTRI Xchanger
- Perform:
- Material & energy balances
- Column sizing (trays, packing, reflux optimization)
- Heat Exchanger sizing
- Work with vendors:
- Koch-Glitsch (distillation internals, towers)
- Sulzer Chemtech (distillation, extraction, crystallization)
Equipment & System Design:
- Specify and design:
- Static equipment such as distillation columns, heat exchangers, tanks, separators, vessels
- Rotating equipment such as centrifugal pumps, liquid ring vacuum pumps, blowers
- Vapor and liquid line sizing
- Instrumentation and valves such as: control valves, manual valves, flow / level / pressure / temperature instrumentation
- Interface with designers, engineers of other disciplines, and fabricators
Project Execution:
- Participate in:
- FEED studies
- Detailed design
- Commissioning support
- Troubleshooting and optimization
- Travel to client sites for:
- Data collection
- Startup support and troubleshooting
Client Interaction:
- Work directly with plant engineers and operators
- Support proposals and technical sales
- Present process solutions to clients
Qualifications
Required:
- B.S. in Chemical Engineering or other Engineering Degree
- 3–7 years experience in:
- Process design or plant operations
- Experience with:
- Distillation, heat exchangers, and separations (strongly preferred)
- CHEMCAD
- HTRI Xchanger
- Strong fundamentals in:
- Thermodynamics
- Mass transfer
Preferred:
- Experience in:
- Ethanol or biofuels
- Industrial gas processing
- Specialty chemicals
- Field / plant experience
- Exposure to skid-mounted systems
RCM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and the level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. RCM reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Chemical Process Engineer
Quantify process improvement outcomes
Employers respond to engineers who can demonstrate measurable results. Lead with specific outcomes from internships or projects, such as yield improvements, waste reduction percentages, or cost savings tied directly to process changes you designed or implemented.
Highlight process simulation software proficiency
Proficiency in Aspen Plus, HYSYS, or CHEMCAD signals technical readiness for day-one productivity. List specific software tools and the processes you modeled with them, since many job descriptions screen for these tools before reviewing other qualifications.
Pursue roles at mid-sized specialty chemical firms
Large refineries and multinationals draw heavy competition, but mid-sized specialty chemical companies often have strong sponsorship track records with less applicant volume. These employers frequently value process engineering depth over brand-name pedigree.
Align your degree field explicitly to the job description
Chemical Process Engineer is a recognized H-1B specialty occupation, but only when your degree is in chemical engineering or a closely related field. In your resume and cover letter, make the degree-to-role connection explicit to ease the employer's sponsorship assessment.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Is Chemical Process Engineer a STEM OPT eligible role?
Yes. Chemical Process Engineer falls under CIP code 14.0701 (Chemical Engineering), which is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. That means F-1 students with a qualifying degree can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total work authorization after graduation.
Do chemical engineering employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Many do, particularly in pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, semiconductor fabrication, and oil and gas. Companies like Dow, BASF, Honeywell, and Linde have consistent H-1B sponsorship histories in process engineering roles. The three-year STEM OPT window covers two full H-1B lottery cycles, which significantly improves your odds of securing a cap-subject petition before your authorization expires.
Where can I find Chemical Process Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility, so you can browse Chemical Process Engineer roles without wading through positions that won't support your status. Searching by industry sector on Migrate Mate also helps you focus on the chemical, pharmaceutical, and energy employers most likely to file H-1B petitions.
Can I work as a Chemical Process Engineer on OPT if my degree is in a related field like materials science?
It depends on how closely the job description aligns with your degree. OPT authorizes employment in a role directly related to your major field of study. A materials science or environmental engineering degree may support some process engineering roles, but a chemical engineering degree provides the cleanest match. If your degree is adjacent, make sure the job description emphasizes the specific technical skills your program covered.
What should I look for in a STEM OPT training plan as a Chemical Process Engineer?
Your employer must submit a Form I-983 Training Plan detailing how the role provides practical training in your field. For process engineering, a strong plan identifies specific technical objectives tied to process design, scale-up, or optimization work. Review the plan before signing to confirm it accurately reflects your day-to-day responsibilities, since a vague or mismatched training plan can create issues at STEM extension adjudication.
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