Rene Cardenas
Longview,TX
Summary
Chemical Engineer with experience in specialty polymer and polyethylene manufacturing, process optimization, production support, and plant reliability at Westlake. Experienced in capital project implementation, process safety assessments, instrumentation and controls troubleshooting, and cross-functional problem-solving. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified, with a focus on improving production performance, reducing operating costs, and strengthening asset reliability
Overview
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of post-secondary education
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Production Engineer
Westlake
Longview, Texas
12.2023 - Current
- Support production operations for a specialty polymer manufacturing unit, with responsibility for monitoring product quality, production performance, and utility consumption.
- Troubleshoot process and equipment issues affecting production, product quality, and asset reliability through systematic problem-solving and root-cause analysis.
- Identify and implement process improvements to reduce operating costs, optimize utility consumption, and improve unit performance.
- Support the implementation of capital projects intended to improve plant operations, reliability, and safety.
Process Engineer
Westlake
Longview, Texas
06.2023 - 12.2023
- Supported Westlake’s polyethylene manufacturing assets through capital project implementation, process troubleshooting, and operational improvement initiatives.
- Participated in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) assessments to evaluate process risks and support safe plant operations.
- Investigated production and equipment issues affecting asset reliability and process performance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX 08.2018 - 05.2023
Skills
- Process & Production Engineering: Process troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, production optimization, product quality, utility consumption reduction, process reliability
- Process Safety & Compliance: Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Management of Change (MOC), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
- Instrumentation & Controls: PLC/DCS tuning and troubleshooting
- Process Monitoring & Data Analysis: PI System, PI Vision
- Continuous Improvement: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, preventive maintenance planning, turnaround optimization, cost reduction
- Software: Microsoft Office
Accomplishments
Steam System Optimization | $300,000 Annual Savings | 2026
- Identified steam trap failures as the root cause of increased steam consumption within the specialty polymer unit.
- Developed and implemented a replacement strategy targeting 50% of unit steam traps with a new design intended to prevent premature failure.
- Established an annual preventive maintenance plan to improve reliability and prevent recurring steam losses.
- Achieved $300,000 in annual cost savings through improved steam system reliability and reduced utility consumption.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt | 15% Reduction in Annual Turnaround Downtime
- Reduced annual turnaround (TAR) downtime by 15% through improvements to shutdown planning, system preparation, and maintenance readiness.
- Optimized turnaround schedules by eliminating unnecessary gaps in the shutdown timeline.
- Revised Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) plans to eliminate redundant preparation steps while maintaining required safety controls.
- Obtained spare pressure safety valves (PSVs) to reduce potential turnaround delays associated with valve rebuilding.
Certification
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Timeline
Production Engineer
Westlake
12.2023 - Current
Process Engineer
Westlake
06.2023 - 12.2023
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
Lamar University
08.2018 - 05.2023