The position is based at the Ballestra office in Madrid, Spain, and reports to both the Head of Process Engineering for the Chemical & Fertilizers Business Unit and the Technical Manager for Fertilizer Technologies. It is offered as a permanent, full-time role.
About Ballestra – Chemicals & Fertilizers Business Unit
Ballestra is a global engineering and technology company with a long history in the design and delivery of plants for the chemical and fertilizer industries. Within its Chemicals & Fertilizers Business Unit, the company develops, licenses, and supplies advanced process technologies for key inorganic products such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and a wide range of compound fertilizers. The business unit integrates decades of proprietary know-how with licensed technologies, including Prayon Technologies for phosphoric acid and MECS systems for sulfuric acid production. Its engineering scope covers the full project lifecycle—from feasibility studies and basic engineering through detailed design, procurement, commissioning, and start-up—supported by a strong commitment to energy efficiency, environmental performance, and long-term plant reliability. This combination of technological depth, process innovation, and global project execution makes Ballestra a leading reference in the fertilizer and inorganic chemicals sector.
Position Overview
As Senior Process Engineer, you will lead the development of basic engineering packages for fertilizer and inorganic chemical projects, ensuring that all designs meet Ballestra’s technical, safety, and environmental standards. You will translate advanced process know-how into robust engineering documentation and act as a bridge between proposal development, project execution, and on-site implementation. The position combines design responsibility with client interaction and coordination of multidisciplinary engineering activities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and prepare Basic engineering documentation for fertilizer plants.
- Prepare Process flow diagrams (PFDs), Heat&Mass balances and P&IDs.
- Participate in equipment sizing,
- Project Design basis definition.
- Support proposal and feasibility study preparation by providing technical input and applying also process optimization concepts.
- Collaborate with the detailed engineering team to ensure technical consistency and compliance with the Project design criteria.
- Contribute to risk analyses, HAZOP reviews, and process safety evaluations.
- Interface with clients to adapt standard process solutions to project-specific conditions and local raw materials.
- Assist in plant commissioning and troubleshooting when required, ensuring the correct implementation of design intent.
- Promote continuous improvement in engineering tools, calculation routines, and document templates.
Requirements
- Degree in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry, or equivalent.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in process engineering, preferably within fertilizer, inorganic chemicals, or similar continuous-process industries.
- Strong knowledge of process design, process safety, and engineering documentation.
- Experience with equipment sizing, process simulation tools, and multidisciplinary engineering coordination.
- Full proficiency in English; additional languages are beneficial.
- Proficiency in standard engineering tools (e.g., AutoCAD, process simulation software, MS Office).
- Ability to travel internationally for project and commissioning activities.
- Excellent command of English is required. Knowledge of Italian and/or Spanish is considered a strong advantage.
Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
- High attention to technical detail and documentation integrity
- Cross-discipline coordination and team leadership
- Clear communication with clients and project stakeholders
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
How to apply
Candidates interested in this position are invited to submit their application directly to Mr. Erwin Amesz, Senior Consultant.
Please prepare the following documents:
- A motivation letter describing your interest in the position, your relevant experience, and what you can bring to the role.
- An up-to-date CV.
Both documents must be submitted as either a Word document (.docx) or a PDF file (.pdf).
Please send your complete application package by email to: info@fertilizerrecruitment.com
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only submissions in the specified formats will be considered.
