Barry Knight
Lake Charles,LA
Summary
Production/Project Engineer developing and delivering capital and process projects across chemical and carbon plants. Supports plant reliability through equipment upgrades, utilities work, and shutdown planning for projects ranging from smaller fixes to multimillion-dollar installations. Brings a safety-first approach to field execution, commissioning, and operating-plant coordination.
Overview
53
53
years of professional experience
Work History
Contract Project Manager
Oxford Technical Service Embedded @ Alcoa Carbon Products
Lake Charles, LA
06.2025 - 06.2026
- Supported 90% capital budget tracking across planning, forecasting, and change control activities.
- Tracked multiple capital project milestoned to keep work aligned with contract timelines and site priorities.
- Managed capital project planning from FEL documentation through execution readiness and contractor coordination.
- Coordinated construction oversight, submittal review, and contract administration to keep deliverables moving on schedule.
- Drove commissioning support and turnover preparation, coordinating mechanical project details and critical path sequencing.
- Maintained procurement coordination, construction estimating, and cost forecasting to support consistent project decision-making.
- Applied risk register management, permit to work coordination, and process safety compliance during shutdown planning.
Contract - Project Manger
Mentor IMC USA Embedded @ Bluefin Services
Lafayette, LA
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Reviewed [number] daily reports per day for accuracy, time tickets, and project status on the LNG worksite.
- Supported LNG project execution in Port Sulphur by coordinating flushing and air-blowing activities ahead of system turnover.
- Tracked daily reports and time tickets to verify field activity, improve reporting accuracy, and keep project records current.
- Coordinated purchase orders and contractor support for ongoing work, keeping materials and services aligned with project needs.
- Contributed to project planning by helping sequence flushing, air blowing, and readiness activities before piping systems entered service.
- Monitored ongoing work progress and documentation to support construction oversight and maintain alignment with project requirements.
Contract - Sr. Project Engineer
Air Swift Technical Services Embedded at Westlake Chemicals
Westlake, LA
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Led capital project planning for site shelter-in-place upgrades to meet site safety requirements.
- Developed a hazardous organic material release monitoring system for compliance across 800+ PRVs on site.
- Coordinated contractor management, procurement, and contract administration for the badge-in system replacement.
- Tracked project budgets, change orders, and risk registers while supporting schedule control and critical path analysis.
- Reviewed submittals and supported permit to work coordination, shutdown planning, and commissioning support during field execution.
Contract Project Manager
On-Board Engineering Embrded at Honeywell Chemicals
Orange, TX
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Led installation and commissioning of 75,000pph natural gas-fired boiler, including controls and piping integration.
- Coordinated upgrade of 63 plant safety shower/eyewash stations to align with OSHA and ANSI requirements.
- Managed contractor schedules and field coordination while embedded at Honeywell Chemicals.
- Tracked budget, procurement, and change orders to keep capital work aligned with approved scope.
- Supported FEL documentation, risk register management, and critical path analysis for turnaround and shutdown planning.
Project Engineer
Superior Graphite
Hopkinsville, KY
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Tracked 90% of project documentation through FEL reviews, submittals, and approval cycles.
- Supported 3-5 capital projects for plant improvements, coordinating scope, schedules, and execution details.
- Developed capital project plans for plant improvements, translating scope into practical execution steps.
- Coordinated construction oversight, contractor management, and commissioning support across active work packages.
- Managed project budgets, cost forecasts, and procurement coordination to align spending with project needs.
- Handled scheduling, critical path analysis, change orders, and risk registers to keep projects moving.
Project Engineer
WR Grace
Sulphur, LA
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Managed Project Cost $275,000 for installation of a new Inconel spray dryer feed line at the DA plant.
- Coordinated capital project planning for the Inconel spray dryer feed line installation at the DA plant.
- Directed installation work for a new Inconel spray dryer feed line, aligning field execution with project scope.
- Oversaw well pump upgrades, including larger motors on three process water wells and chemical cleaning of each well.
- Managed replacement of two MG pumps with high-pressure Feluwa pumps and associated transfer pumps feeding them.
- Tracked pump ordering, piping design, and foundation design to keep the replacement scope moving forward.
- Coordinated contractor activity and piping work across well, pump, and foundation scopes.
Senior Project Engineer
PPG Silicas
Lake Charles, LA
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Led redesign of the bucket elevator and its support system to align mechanical scope with operating requirements.
- Coordinated replacement of 40' of 10' diameter dryer shell and 144 2"x 100' steam tubes across three product dryers.
- Directed removal of the existing dissolver and installation of a new 12'x 100' dissolver with associated support equipment.
- Planned critical path sequencing, cost forecasting, and change order management to keep project execution controlled.
- Reviewed piping and instrumentation drawings, permit-to-work requirements, and procurement coordination for field readiness.
Sr. Project Engineer
Sid Richardson Carbon
Addis, LA
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Developed capital project planning for the rail car loading area, replacing 250 feet of track and redesigning drainage to prevent flooding.
- Coordinated construction oversight and contractor management to replace 2,500 square feet of corroded supports and grating.
- Managed accelerated shutdown planning and critical path analysis to keep rail loading work on schedule and protect shipments.
- Directed annual repair and replacement work across four carbon black production units, coordinating procurement and commissioning support.
- Tracked change orders, cost forecasting, and permit to work coordination to keep scope, cost, and field execution aligned.
Quality Improvement Superintendent
Continental Carbon
Ponca City, OK
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Supervised two lab supervisors, one lab clerk, and 10 lab technicians across product quality testing.
- Resolved customer complaints and coordinated follow-up actions from production through shipment.
- Served as plant ISO management representative and maintained ISO 9001 policy compliance.
- Guided the plant through 9 external compliance audits and 2 customer audits.
- Led a three-person team to secure ISO 14001 certification for the plant.
- Completed ISO 14001 certification work in 8 weeks through coordinated execution.
- Directed quality testing from production to shipment to support consistent product release decisions.
Project Engineer
Continental Carbon
Ponca City, OK
01.1995 - 01.2007
- Led replacement of three 10’ x 50” rotating dryers, delivering $1.5MM capital project execution.
- Managed yearly unit turnarounds through capital project planning, contractor management, and shutdown coordination.
- Oversaw bag filter replacement with reverse flow to pulse jet technology for a $3-4MM upgrade.
- Supported a 3 1/2 year lock out through permit-to-work coordination and mechanical project controls.
- Tracked procurement, scheduling, and cost forecasting across capital work to keep projects moving on plan.
Sr. Project Engineer
J.M. Huber
Borger, TX
01.1990 - 01.1995
- Coordinated project work across three carbon production plants, supporting capital upgrades and maintenance initiatives.
- Designed and installed a remote bulk unloading facility in Lenoir City, TN, from concept through startup.
- Directed design and installation of bag filter and conveying systems for a 220,000 lb./day production unit in Baytown, TX.
- Oversaw rebuilds of a 20-megawatt Cogen Generator, coordinating scope execution and equipment restoration.
- Managed retubing of two 50,000 lb./hr. super-heated boilers, maintaining production support through major maintenance work.
Process Engineer
Engelhard Chemicals
Attapulgus, GA
01.1988 - 01.1990
- Coordinated 2 process reviews weekly to support fluid catalyst plant operations.
- Improved equipment operations in a fluid catalyst plant through hands-on troubleshooting and steady process monitoring.
- Supported shutdown planning and turnaround coordination to keep equipment changes organized and on schedule.
- Reviewed process safety compliance and mechanical project coordination issues to reduce operational risk.
Project Engineer
Triad Chemical
Donaldsonville, LA
01.1983 - 01.1988
- Managed $25-50,000 in project spend through procurement coordination, contractor management, and cost forecasting.
- Developed equipment concepts to support slow-release urea fertilizer production and align mechanical project coordination with process needs.
- Supported construction oversight, commissioning support, and startup readiness from design handoff through completion.
- Prepared FEL documentation, submittal review, P&IDs, and change order management for capital project planning.
Process Engineer
Kaiser Aluminum
Chalmette, LA
06.1980 - 01.1983
- Monitored $30-25,000 in project costs across development work for new production cells.
- Supported development of new aluminum production cells through process engineering analysis and layout refinement.
- Coordinated capital project planning, scheduling, and FEL documentation for new cell development work.
- Prepared technical documentation and process specifications to guide production-cell implementation.
- Reviewed contractor submittals and coordinated construction oversight during cell installation activities.
- Assisted with commissioning support, change order management, and shutdown planning for production start-up.
Production/Project Engineer
Olin Chemicals
McIntosh, AL
01.1978 - 06.1980
- Coordinate 75% of project schedules to keep maintenance and production work aligned.
- Monitor day-to-day plant operations and flag process issues before they disrupt production.
- Support capital project planning, contractor management, and construction oversight for plant improvements.
- Assist with commissioning support, turnaround coordination, and shutdown planning to return systems to service safely.
Co-Op Engineer
International Paper
Natchez, MS
01.1973 - 01.1977
- Assisted with technical projects across alternating semesters, contributing consistent engineering support to department priorities.
- Prepared calculations and supporting documentation under engineer guidance, strengthening accuracy on assigned work.
- Contributed to process review efforts by analyzing operating data and summarizing findings for the technical team.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS01.1977
Skills
Capital project planning
FEL documentation
Construction oversight
Commissioning support
Contractor management
Project budget tracking
Timeline
Contract Project Manager
Oxford Technical Service Embedded @ Alcoa Carbon Products
06.2025 - 06.2026
Contract - Project Manger
Mentor IMC USA Embedded @ Bluefin Services
01.2024 - 01.2025
Contract - Sr. Project Engineer
Air Swift Technical Services Embedded at Westlake Chemicals
01.2023 - 01.2024
Contract Project Manager
On-Board Engineering Embrded at Honeywell Chemicals
01.2022 - 01.2023
Project Engineer
Superior Graphite
01.2021 - 01.2022
Project Engineer
WR Grace
01.2019 - 01.2021
Senior Project Engineer
PPG Silicas
01.2017 - 01.2019
Sr. Project Engineer
Sid Richardson Carbon
01.2012 - 01.2016
Quality Improvement Superintendent
Continental Carbon
01.2007 - 01.2012
Project Engineer
Continental Carbon
01.1995 - 01.2007
Sr. Project Engineer
J.M. Huber
01.1990 - 01.1995
Process Engineer
Engelhard Chemicals
01.1988 - 01.1990
Project Engineer
Triad Chemical
01.1983 - 01.1988
Process Engineer
Kaiser Aluminum
06.1980 - 01.1983
Production/Project Engineer
Olin Chemicals
01.1978 - 06.1980
Co-Op Engineer
International Paper
01.1973 - 01.1977
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Mississippi State University