Lead the applications and process engineering team at CRA Energy, managing techno-commercial proposals and process design for custom-engineered equipment like flares, thermal oxidisers, and gas treatment systems.

About the Company

CRA Energy (Combustion Research Associates) is a specialized manufacturer of custom-engineered process equipment headquartered near Delhi, India. Founded in 1993, the company has executed over 800 installations across more than 25 countries, serving industries such as oil & gas, petrochemicals, biogas, and defence. Their in-house capabilities span process, mechanical, and electrical design, as well as fabrication and machining, allowing them to deliver tailored solutions for flares, thermal oxidisers, burner management systems, H2S scrubbers, biogas upgrading units, and gas compression packages. CRA is known for deep technical expertise and a commitment to quality and safety standards.

Role Overview

As Senior Manager - Applications and Process, you will lead CRA's applications team and own the technical and commercial foundation of every proposal the company submits. This is a pivotal role that bridges client requirements, engineering execution, and business growth. You will manage a small team of applications engineers, review their work, and personally undertake process design on won orders when required. You will also represent CRA in technical discussions with clients and consultants during the enquiry, negotiation, and order-closure phases. The role demands a seasoned engineer with strong process design skills, commercial acumen, and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly.

Key Responsibilities

• Applications and Proposals

  • Convert client enquiries into comprehensive techno-commercial proposals, including process sizing, equipment selection, scope definition, and cost build-up.
  • Review every proposal before release for technical correctness, scope completeness, costing accuracy, and contractual commitments.
  • Lead technical discussions with clients and consultants through enquiry and negotiation phases, working closely with the Sales team to close orders.
  • Maintain and update the cost database and vendor-price base used for estimating, collaborating with Procurement.

• Process Engineering Support

  • Hand over the design basis of each won order to the process engineering team and resolve any open points.
  • Take on process design work when needed, including preparing design basis documents, heat and mass balances, process datasheets, P&IDs, and control philosophy.
  • Participate in HAZOP studies and design reviews, and support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and commissioning on process-related issues.
  • Develop sizing guidelines and standard configurations for CRA's product lines to improve efficiency.

• Team and Ways of Working

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of applications engineers, fostering technical growth and accountability.
  • Collaborate closely with Sales, Projects, Mechanical, Electrical & Instrumentation, and Procurement departments.
  • Leverage AI tools and calculation software to accelerate proposals and design work, while maintaining rigorous checking of outputs.

Tech Stack

• Process simulation tools (e.g., HYSYS or similar)
• AI-based calculation and documentation tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, or proprietary calculators)
• P&ID and datasheet software (e.g., AutoCAD, SmartPlant P&ID)
• Office productivity suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for cost build-up and proposals
• Knowledge of API 521, API 537, NFPA standards
• Combustion and relief sizing software (e.g., Aspen FlareNet, PipeNet)

Requirements

• B.E. or B.Tech in Chemical Engineering. Mechanical engineers with a strong process background will be considered.
• 12 years or more in process or applications engineering for process equipment, such as flares, thermal oxidisers, incinerators, burners, gas treatment or compression packages.
• Hands-on process design: heat and mass balances, combustion calculations, hydraulics, line sizing, relief sizing and instrument sizing.
• Has independently prepared and priced techno-commercial proposals and handled clients' technical questions on them.
• Has produced and checked P&IDs, process datasheets and control philosophies, and taken part in HAZOPs.
• Working knowledge of API 521, API 537 and the NFPA standards that apply to combustion and relief systems.
• Comfortable using AI tools for calculations, documentation and proposals, and disciplined about checking what they produce.
• A clear communicator with clients and colleagues, who takes ownership of outcomes and keeps people informed.

Good to Have

• Experience at an equipment manufacturer or packager, not only on the EPC or owner's side.
• Biogas, CBG or landfill gas projects.
• International projects and clients.
• Process simulation in HYSYS or similar.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Medical insurance
• Learning and development support
• Clear career growth pathways
• Opportunity to work on critical projects in energy and defence.