Devon Saldaña
Portland
Summary
Dedicated and safety-driven Process Operator with over 5 years of experience in chemical manufacturing and complex unit operations. Strong technical knowledge in startup/shutdown operations, emergency response, PSSR, PHA, MOC, and Life Critical standards. Proven ability to troubleshoot abnormal conditions, optimize KPIs, maintain environmental compliance, and support cross-functional engineering teams. Currently pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, bringing a strong engineering mindset to operations and process optimization.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Process Expert - Methanol Oxidation (MO3, MO4, Paraformaldehyde)
Celanese
Bishop
03.2022 - Current
- Operate and oversee MO3, MO4, and Paraform units ensuring safety and reliability.
- Distinguished DCS/HMI operator utilizing panel to operate all three units, optimize KPIs and respond to abnormal conditions.
- Participate in PSSR, PHA, MOC, and RCA.
- Perform field rounds monitoring pumps, compressors, exchangers, vessels, tanks, utilities.
- Conduct sampling for pH, SG, sodium, concentration.
- Execute startup/shutdown, commissioning/decommissioning.
- Develop isolation plans and SAP notifications.
- Maintain Life Critical standards.
Emergency Response Team - Firefighter
Celanese
Bishop
03.2023 - Current
- Certified firefighter trained in live fire, rescue & medical.
- Respond to fires, releases, alarms, medical emergencies.
- Strengthen site safety culture.
Outage / Turnaround Coordinator - MO4 Unit
Celanese
Bishop
- Current
- Coordinated MO4 shutdown activities and schedules.
- Leading meetings with engineers, planners, and site leadership.
- Proven project management capabilities and expectational leadership.
- Developed startup/shutdown plans and isolation packages.
- Strengthened P&ID, SAP, and Visio skills.
Formaldehyde Blending Operator
Brown & Root
Bishop
- Current
- Operated field & DCS blending processes.
- Worked with valves, filtration, heat exchangers, pumps.
- Maintained quality specs for acidity & turbidity.
- Blended product to meet customer specifications.
Education
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Arizona State University
High School Diploma -
Santa Gertrudis Academy
Core Curriculum - Safety, Basic Craft Training
Craft Training Center, Del Mar
Skills
- Distributed Control System (DCS / HMI) operation
- Inlet gas, steam, nitrogen/air utilities
- Understanding of Cryogenic processes & chilled-water systems
- Understanding of Amine systems and chemical handling
- Compressors
- Pumps
- Heat exchangers
- Tanks
- Sampling: SG
- PH
- Concentrations
- Sodium
- Turbidity
- Understanding of PFDs
- P&IDs
- Logic
- Loops
- Life Critical trained
- Emergency Response Firefighter
- OSHA / DOT compliance
- PSSR
- PHA
- MOC
- RCA
- Hazard recognition
- Incident response
- Isolation plans
- LOTO
- Deviation forms
- Turnaround coordination
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Communication & training
- SAP
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Trend analysis & data tracking (PI, Cognite)
- Strong situational awareness in hazardous environments
- Adaptable to 12-hour shifts & call-ins
- Environmental compliance awareness
- Willing to cross-train in LNG
- Amine
- Cryogenic
- Marine loading
- High motivation and engineering mindset
Timeline
Emergency Response Team - Firefighter
Celanese
03.2023 - Current
Senior Process Expert - Methanol Oxidation (MO3, MO4, Paraformaldehyde)
Celanese
03.2022 - Current
Outage / Turnaround Coordinator - MO4 Unit
Celanese
- Current
Formaldehyde Blending Operator
Brown & Root
- Current
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Arizona State University
High School Diploma -
Santa Gertrudis Academy
Core Curriculum - Safety, Basic Craft Training
Craft Training Center, Del Mar