Senior Process Development Chemical Engineer
Salary Range: $150K - $200K
We are seeking a Senior Process Development Chemical Engineer to join our Akron Technology Center. As the largest manufacturer of tire-industry additives in the world, we are committed to delivering innovative solutions that enhance product performance and optimize production efficiency for our customers.
Position Overview:
The Senior Process Development Engineer will provide leadership and subject matter expertise in process selection and design for novel small molecules. This role will support our business and innovation platforms, focusing on lab-scale proof of concept, external partnerships for process research and scale-up, process modeling, cost estimation, and capital project leadership for continuous, world-scale operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and model process designs for scale-up and cost estimation based on lab-scale synthesis of novel small molecules.
- Guide the R&D team and external partners in designing and executing experiments to gather essential data for process design.
- Manage engagements with external partners for process development activities, including mini-plant and pilot plant design and operation.
- Collaborate with external firms on feasibility studies and front-end engineering packages, including cost estimates.
- Lead large capital projects ($5M+) for both brownfield and greenfield initiatives, overseeing design, installation, commissioning, validation, and startup.
- Support existing global assets with capital project execution for major equipment upgrades and maintenance.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including senior management, R&D, engineering, and operations.
- Scout and evaluate external vendors and technologies, presenting recommendations for new technology implementation.
- Develop capital project proposals, including scope development, safety reviews, and cost estimates.
- Provide technical and business assessments to guide management in product/process development and scale-up decisions.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline; post-graduate education preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in R&D, engineering, capital project management, and/or operations.
- Familiarity with a broad range of unit operations for continuous liquid and gas phase production processes.
- Proven success in developing novel processes for small molecule production at lab and pilot scales, including flow sheet development and process control strategies.
- Experience in scaling up from lab/pilot scale to global commercial scale.
- Strong background in capital project management, including front-end loading and cost estimating.
- Knowledge of plant control software, such as PLC and SCADA/Delta V systems; expertise in catalysis or crystallization is a plus.
- Familiarity with Six Sigma methodology and statistical analysis; experience with Aspen modeling is highly preferred.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment and manage multiple assignments.
The Ideal Candidate Will:
- Be an innovative and creative problem solver with strong scientific convictions, willing to take calculated risks.
- Demonstrate excellent leadership and communication skills for implementing cross-functional process improvements.
- Be motivated to develop into a company expert in process development engineering
