Process Engineer

Holiferm Limited; Wallasey; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A sustainable biosurfactant company is seeking a Process Engineer in Wallasey to manage and implement continuous improvement projects. The role emphasizes strong process design knowledge, project management experience, and adherence to safety protocols. Candidates should have experience in technical calculations and project implementation, with a proactive approach to problem solving. This full-time position offers a hybrid working model and various employee benefits, including a pension scheme and health care.

Benefits

Pension (7.5% employer contribution)

Share Options

Flexible and Hybrid Working

Health, Dental, and Mental Health Care

Income Protection

Electric and Plug‑In Hybrid car scheme

Company reward & discount platform

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of process design and engineering principles.
• Experience managing implementation of projects and/or plant modifications.
• Experience in performing commissioning and testing activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and implement process and continuous improvement projects.
• Conduct technical calculations and design work.
• Lead safety culture within the team.

Skills

Process design and engineering principles

Project implementation management

Technical calculations (pipe sizing, pressure relief)

HSE guidance and British Standards

Project management processes

Tools

P&ID CAD software

Process hardware specification

Job description

Process Engineer

Location: Wallasey, Merseyside.

Salary: £55k - £65k

Pension (7.5% employer contribution) + Share Options + Flexible and Hybrid Working + Health, Dental and Mental Health Care + Income Protection + Electric and Plug‑In Hybrid car scheme + Company reward & discount platform + More!

About Us

Holiferm is facilitating the transition of the $42 billion surfactant market away from harmful, fossil fuel‑based chemicals to biodegradable, sustainable biosurfactants. We are spearheading research and production into this innovative technology and, as such, are offering the opportunity to make an impact towards a more sustainable future. Our patented fermentation process with integrated gravity separation technology enables us to produce competitively priced biosurfactants at a commercial scale.

At Holiferm, you will have the platform to broaden your skills by working with field leaders within a dynamic, collaborative, and inclusive working environment. Whether you are based in our research and development laboratory in Manchester or our commercial plant in Wallasey, you will have the freedom and autonomy to drive innovation and change.

Our mission is to eliminate the need for petrochemicals in the production process and provide our customers with 100% biobased formulations.

Key Responsibilities

This role will report into the process engineering manager and will be responsible for a range of project implementation and continuous improvement actions in the manufacturing facility as well as production optimisation and supporting the manufacturing expansion plan for the business.

• Managing and implementation of process projects and continuous improvement projects to make the manufacturing process more robust, more efficient and safer.
• Performing technical calculations and design work for the modification of systems
• Problem solving for production issues working closely with operations and maintenance teams.
• Active participation in leading of a safety culture with particular focus on supporting and implementing a process safety programme.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory HSE requirements including steam equipment and systems, boiler management, DSEAR and occupational hygiene/health hazards.
• Lead and offer technical expertise in incident investigation.
• Performing trial work and simulations on plant, accumulating and processing data and drawing conclusions and recommendations from this data.
• Supporting and advising the capital projects team for the implementation of new plant utility and facilities.
• Supporting the multidisciplined maintenance team with process related issues.
• Management of contractors to implement and install modifications to the plant.

The majority of this role will be situated at the Oceans Park site in Wallasey, infrequently there may need to visit other sites. The normal working hours of this role will be 08:00 - 16:00 Monday to Friday with flexibility. There will also be an expectation of flexibility around project support and resource availability. This may involve out of hours or temporary shifts. The company will endeavour to minimise interruption to normal working hours.

Core skills

Essential

• Strong knowledge of process design and engineering principles
• Experience in managing implementation of projects and/or plant modifications.
• Experience of performing commissioning and testing activities for plant modifications.
• Experience in carrying out technical calculations such as pipe sizing, pressure relief valve and vent sizing.
• Experience in process safety requirements including HSE guidance and British Standards.
• Exposure to project management and project management processes

Advantageous

• Demonstrable industrial experience as a Process Engineer in the biotechnology, chemical, pharmaceutical or other related industries
• Experience managing contractors to implement designs and improvements to the plant
• Experience with P&ID CAD software for creating and updating drawings.
• Experience in process hardware specification such as pipework, valves, pumps and instrumentation.
• Understanding of Control & Automation Hardware for process systems.

Soft skills – Essential

• Commitment to a Safety and Quality Culture.
• Has a curious and a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Strong team ethic working other engineers, operators and the wider team towards common goals.
• Knowledge sharing. As part of a young business, learning and knowledge sharing is a vital part of the role.
• Strong communication skills working in a close‑nit team.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and quality while actively fostering a positive culture and wellbeing across the team. An agile and adaptable approach is essential, alongside a collaborative mindset that encourages teamwork and knowledge sharing. Clear and effective communication underpins success, complemented by the ability to work autonomously with accountability. Finally, a proactive, solution‑focused attitude ensures challenges are addressed efficiently and constructively.