Engineer Trainee - Frontier Building (Pocatello, ID)

Summary

The Engineer Trainee will spend two one-year rotations at Simplot Fertilizer Manufacturing Plants located in Pocatello, ID, and Rock Springs, WY, working under the direction of engineering managers to support site and departmental objectives. This position will provide project and processing engineering and technical support for plant operating and maintenance capital improvement projects, process optimization, and new product development.

Under supervision, the Engineer Trainee will plan, schedule, and coordinate assigned project and process engineering work; monitor work for compliance with applicable specifications, codes, and generally accepted engineering practices. This role requires effective communication and coordination with various departments and personnel both internal and external to Simplot on assigned projects. The Engineer Trainee will gather and compile costs and other data pertaining to the project, ensuring that the project runs efficiently and on schedule. The role will help develop engineering drawings, coordinate the review process with key stakeholders, and actively manage the safety aspects of each project.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform calculations and process engineering tasks requiring knowledge and application of basic engineering principles under supervision.
• Develop, assist, and/or direct bench, pilot, or plant trial testing, assimilate and calculate obtained data, and produce meaningful final reports.
• Support the development of new or modified components, products, manufacturing processes, materials, and equipment.
• Facilitate cross-functional communication between production, maintenance, engineering, safety, and environmental departments.
• Participate within teams in establishing appropriate designs, engineering, and execution processes.
• Use computer-assisted engineering software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Contribute to the communication of project updates to management and key stakeholders.
• Obtain vendor/contractor quotations for proposed work scope and gain stakeholder alignment on proposals, feasibility studies, and vendor/construction packages.
• Prepare project scope of work documents, budgets, and schedules, and obtain approvals for execution.
• Control project costs by approving expenditures and administering contractor contracts.
• Maintain project schedules by monitoring progress, coordinating activities, and resolving problems efficiently with minimal impact on plant operations.
• Engage in and facilitate Root Cause Analysis exercises tied to production, safety, or environmental issues.
• Provide support to other project and process engineering staff members as needed.
• Travel to various production facilities on a project-to-project basis, which could require 20-40 days on the road annually.

Typical Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a 4-year college or university – Mechanical, Civil, or Chemical Engineering preferred.

Relevant Experience

• 1+ years of related experience and/or training.
• Ability to perform basic engineering calculations and material and energy balances.
• Experience with lab and/or pilot plants is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint, is required.
• Experience with Phosphate Fertilizer Production, Sulfuric Acid, or Ammonia is preferred but not required.
• Strong attention to detail and time management for efficient project completion.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work in a team environment.

Other Information

• Candidate must be able to stand for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Willingness to spend time in industrial plant/process operations where exposure to process noise, large operating equipment and machinery, and hazardous chemicals exists, as well as work in a process lab setting.
• Willingness to relocate after approximately 1 year and accept a full-time position after the trainee program is complete at any Simplot location in the US.
• The company will provide housing during the trainee program.