Process Engineer
Handshake • Remote
Education
Bachelor
Type
Hourly
Pay Rate
$80/hr
Listed
141d ago
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From the Handshake listing
Overview
Handshake is looking for process and refinery engineering professionals to support AI research through flexible, hourly contract work. This is not a traditional job. You'll draw on your hands-on experience with process simulation, refinery planning, and chemical engineering workflows to evaluate AI-generated content and provide feedback that helps AI better understand real-world process engineering practices.
This is an ongoing, project-based opportunity that can be done alongside research, teaching, postdoctoral work, or industry employment.
Details
This project involves independently producing expert-level analytical work and data outputs using the tools and workflows from your professional practice. You will be asked to complete real work tasks — such as building price forecast models or developing PPA documentation — in a structured, project-based format.
Fully remote with a flexible, asynchronous schedule and no minimum hour requirement; most contributors work approximately 5–20 hours per week when participating in an active project.
Placement depends on current project needs, with opportunities to be considered for future projects as they become available.
Qualifications
At least 2 years of professional experience in process or refinery engineering, in roles such as:
Process Engineer or Refinery Engineer
Process Simulation Engineer or Refinery Planning Engineer
LP Modeler or Refinery Optimization Engineer
Or equivalent roles in the energy or chemical industry
Hands-on experience with one or more of the following tools:
Aspen
Haverly GRTMPS
SuperPro Designer
AVEVA PI
Bachelor's degree or higher required
Strong written communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and asynchronously.
Work authorization information
F-1 students who are eligible for CPT or OPT may be eligible for projects on Handshake AI. Work with your Designated School Official to determine your eligibility. If your school requires a CPT course, Handshake AI may not meet your school’s requirements. STEM OPT is not supported. See our Help Center article for more information on what types of work authorizations are supported on Handshake AI.
The application process
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Interview Prep
Sample questions for a Process Development Engineer role, written in-house to help you prepare.
How do you approach optimizing a manufacturing process that's already meeting its output targets but you suspect has room for improvement?
I look at yield, cycle time variability, and scrap rate rather than just total output, since a process can hit its target while still carrying meaningful waste that isn't visible in the headline number. I use that data to identify the specific step contributing most to the gap rather than optimizing the process broadly without a clear target.
What's your process for validating that a proposed process change will actually deliver the improvement you're projecting before rolling it out fully?
I run the change on a limited scale or pilot batch first and compare actual results against the projection, rather than rolling out a full-scale change based on modeling alone. Small discrepancies between projected and actual results at pilot scale often reveal an assumption that needs adjusting before wider rollout.
How do you use lean manufacturing principles to identify waste in a process that looks efficient on the surface?
I map the process end to end and look specifically for the classic waste categories, like unnecessary motion, waiting, or overproduction, since those often hide within a process that appears smooth when viewed only at the step level. Waste frequently accumulates in the handoffs between steps rather than within any single step.
What's your approach to deciding whether a process deviation observed in the data is a meaningful signal or normal variation?
I compare the deviation against the process's established control limits rather than reacting to any single data point that looks off, since normal processes have inherent variation that isn't a sign of a problem. A deviation that falls outside those limits or shows a sustained trend is what actually warrants investigation.
Why this role
At $80/hr, this remote Process Engineer role pays competitively without asking you to relocate, interview in person, or keep fixed hours in STEM.
Talent pool
We're light on STEM candidates
We've matched 65 people with a STEM background against 726 STEM listings we've tracked, so most go out without one. Set up a profile and we'll consider you for a role like this one.
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Common questions
Can I use Handshake if I graduated years ago?
Probably not a good fit. Handshake's AI Fellowship roles target current university students and early talent within about 1-2 years of graduation. Experienced professionals typically find faster approval and better rates on Outlier or Mercor.
Is Handshake itself the employer for AI training roles?
For the AI Fellowship roles specifically, yes, Handshake acts as the employer of record. That's different from the rest of the site, which functions as a job board listing openings for other companies.
Do I need a PhD for academic-niche AI training roles?
For the top pay tiers, a PhD or current enrollment is usually expected. But the domain assessment is what decides it: if you can solve the problems, the degree becomes secondary.
Is academic-niche AI training a continuous job?
Usually not. Work runs in campaigns, like training a model specifically on quantum mechanics, that might last a few weeks. Treat it as a high-paying fellowship or grant rather than a permanent daily job.
What does STEM work look like for a Process Engineer?
Tasks here are scoped to STEM, not generic labeling. As a Process Engineer, expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to STEM) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on STEM background, this is likely not the right listing to start with.
What specific skills does this listing call for?
Coding and Expert are named directly in the listing. If you don't have hands-on experience with these, expect the screening process to test for them directly rather than accepting adjacent experience as a substitute.
How much does this specific role pay?
This listing is posted at $80/hr, an hourly rate. Pay can change between when we last checked the listing and when you apply, so confirm the current number on the platform's own application page before committing time.
What happens when I click Apply on this listing?
You'll be taken to Handshake's external site to complete your application there. This listing links through a referral, but the process is identical to applying directly; the link just routes you correctly. Create an account on their site and follow their onboarding steps.
Are Handshake AI training listings internships?
Some are, some aren't. Handshake lists both standard internships and separate "AI Trainer" fellowships. Check the job description for "1099" or "Contract" language: that signals a freelance role, not W-2 employment.