Engineering Consultant

Overview

On Site
USD 85.00 per hour
Full Time

Skills

Proposal Writing
Process Improvement
HIS
Startups
Technical Training
Analytical Skill
Collaboration
Testing
Quality Control
Performance Appraisal
Quality Assurance
Dashboard
Chemistry
Microsoft Exchange
Training
Presentations
Mentorship
Leadership
Budget
Reporting

Job Details

Proposal: Part-Time Consulting Role for Maria Ludvig

Submitted by: Joe Culligan

Date: 9/2/25

Proposed Duration: Through December 31, 2025

Proposed Role: Consultant (1 day up to 8 hours /week)

1. Purpose and Justification

This proposal recommends retaining Maria Ludvig as a part-time consultant to serve as a Process Advisor for the Vespa unit. Her deep operational knowledge and historical context are critical for troubleshooting challenges and guiding process improvements.

Maintaining Maria with limited involvement will:
- Support continuity in Vespa operations.
- Reduce reliance on external zeolite purchases.
- Preserve momentum in NaY production improvements and consistent zeolite quality.

NaY and zeolite processes require a deep understanding of the process chemistry to prevent costly mistakes. Given the change this April with Avery Rose starting his transition to the NaY/Cogel Operations Engineer as Isabella Caparas transitioned to the FCC Crude unit, Maria has continued to train Avery in the new role. As Maria steps down from the Vespa Lead role, our existing team needs to transition to maintain process support. Especially for NaY support, Juan Huerta is still developing in his process support capabilities in this area and for general Vespa support. However, Juan is currently working full-time on the ZSM-5 commissioning and startup, where he will not have time available for a comprehensive transition. Maria's continued involvement will ensure Operational support coverage through Q3 as Avery continues to learn the process and a smoother handover for Juan to take on support in Q4 and sustained operational performance.

Maria's continued support is expected to bolster the process and chemistry knowledge for the Operations and Process Technology teams ensuring the continuity of operational support and quality reviews. This will sustain the positive trend in NaY and zeolite availability driving towards avoided 3rd party cost for 2025 and beyond. One bad batch avoided in the Vespa unit would also cover the cost for Maria's consulting through the rest of the year at a maximum cost of $17,600.

2. Primary Objectives

Objective

Description

Deliverables

Target Completion

Specific technical training and know-how items for Juan's development

Develop technical know-how for the following areas

Supersedes consistency, analytical result troubleshooting, BARQ coordination meetings, and exchange product transition

December 31

Process advising for Vespa, 16th St, Coracis II, and ZSM-5 expansion

Provide expert guidance on operational challenges

Weekly consultation notes

Ongoing

Analytical troubleshooting and alignment

Maria has continued to support coordination all zeolite units with Operations, Process Technology, and BARQ

Advice for actions responding to unexpected product quality results

Ongoing

ZSM-5 Product Qualification and Activity Testing

Submit and support MSR for ZSM-5 Qualification and Activity Testing

MSR demonstrating equal quality and performance of new ZSM-5 plant zeolite

October 31

Mentorship & Transition Support - NaY, Supersedes, Exchange, and ZSM-5

Mentor team members in leadership and technical roles: Juan Huerta (NaY/Cogel PI Engineer), Justin Louis (Exchange PI Engineer), Val (Vespa Ops), Avery, Hale, and Wyatt (Zeolite Ops)

Transition plans, feedback reports

November 30

NaY Production Oversight

Monitor and advise on NaY production improvements and quality control

Weekly performance review

Ongoing

Zeolite Quality Assurance

Ensure consistent quality in zeolite output to reduce third-party dependency

Quality metrics dashboard

December 15

Chemistry Behind Exchange Operator Training

Follow-up exchange a very well-received NaY presentation given at the last Operator training, a follow up through

Notes and support in next Operator Training Presentation

December 15

3. Benefits of Engagement

- Operational Continuity: Retains critical process knowledge during key transitions.
- Mentorship: Strengthens leadership and technical capabilities of the Vespa and Zeolite teams.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces third-party zeolite purchases through improved in-house production.
- Flexibility: One-day-per-week consulting balances budget constraints with strategic needs.

4. Budget

  • Proposed rate: $85/hr. (~$110/hr. cost through agency NES Fircroft or B&R)
    Estimated weekly hours: 8
    Total maximum cost: $17,600 covers up to 160 hours for 20 weeks of support through the end of the year.
    Reporting Manager: Joe Culligan

Proposal: Part-Time Consulting Role for Maria Ludvig

Submitted by: Joe Culligan

Date: 9/2/25

Proposed Duration: Through December 31, 2025

Proposed Role: Consultant (1 day up to 8 hours /week)

1. Purpose and Justification

This proposal recommends retaining Maria Ludvig as a part-time consultant to serve as a Process Advisor for the Vespa unit. Her deep operational knowledge and historical context are critical for troubleshooting challenges and guiding process improvements.

Maintaining Maria with limited involvement will:
- Support continuity in Vespa operations.
- Reduce reliance on external zeolite purchases.
- Preserve momentum in NaY production improvements and consistent zeolite quality.

NaY and zeolite processes require a deep understanding of the process chemistry to prevent costly mistakes. Given the change this April with Avery Rose starting his transition to the NaY/Cogel Operations Engineer as Isabella Caparas transitioned to the FCC Crude unit, Maria has continued to train Avery in the new role. As Maria steps down from the Vespa Lead role, our existing team needs to transition to maintain process support. Especially for NaY support, Juan Huerta is still developing in his process support capabilities in this area and for general Vespa support. However, Juan is currently working full-time on the ZSM-5 commissioning and startup, where he will not have time available for a comprehensive transition. Maria's continued involvement will ensure Operational support coverage through Q3 as Avery continues to learn the process and a smoother handover for Juan to take on support in Q4 and sustained operational performance.

Maria's continued support is expected to bolster the process and chemistry knowledge for the Operations and Process Technology teams ensuring the continuity of operational support and quality reviews. This will sustain the positive trend in NaY and zeolite availability driving towards avoided 3rd party cost for 2025 and beyond. One bad batch avoided in the Vespa unit would also cover the cost for Maria's consulting through the rest of the year at a maximum cost of $17,600.

2. Primary Objectives

Objective

Description

Deliverables

Target Completion

Specific technical training and know-how items for Juan's development

Develop technical know-how for the following areas

Supersedes consistency, analytical result troubleshooting, BARQ coordination meetings, and exchange product transition

December 31

Process advising for Vespa, 16th St, Coracis II, and ZSM-5 expansion

Provide expert guidance on operational challenges

Weekly consultation notes

Ongoing

Analytical troubleshooting and alignment

Maria has continued to support coordination all zeolite units with Operations, Process Technology, and BARQ

Advice for actions responding to unexpected product quality results

Ongoing

ZSM-5 Product Qualification and Activity Testing

Submit and support MSR for ZSM-5 Qualification and Activity Testing

MSR demonstrating equal quality and performance of new ZSM-5 plant zeolite

October 31

Mentorship & Transition Support - NaY, Supersedes, Exchange, and ZSM-5

Mentor team members in leadership and technical roles: Juan Huerta (NaY/Cogel PI Engineer), Justin Louis (Exchange PI Engineer), Val (Vespa Ops), Avery, Hale, and Wyatt (Zeolite Ops)

Transition plans, feedback reports

November 30

NaY Production Oversight

Monitor and advise on NaY production improvements and quality control

Weekly performance review

Ongoing

Zeolite Quality Assurance

Ensure consistent quality in zeolite output to reduce third-party dependency

Quality metrics dashboard

December 15

Chemistry Behind Exchange Operator Training

Follow-up exchange a very well-received NaY presentation given at the last Operator training, a follow up through

Notes and support in next Operator Training Presentation

December 15

3. Benefits of Engagement

- Operational Continuity: Retains critical process knowledge during key transitions.
- Mentorship: Strengthens leadership and technical capabilities of the Vespa and Zeolite teams.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces third-party zeolite purchases through improved in-house production.
- Flexibility: One-day-per-week consulting balances budget constraints with strategic needs.

4. Budget

  • Proposed rate: $85/hr (~$110/hr cost through agency NES Fircroft or B&R)
    Estimated weekly hours: 8
    Total maximum cost: $17,600 covers up to 160 hours for 20 weeks of support through the end of the year.
    Reporting Manager: Joe Culligan
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