Chemical Process & Project Engineer - Chemical Manufacturing

Chemical Process & Project Engineer - Chemical Manufacturing

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing / Specialty Chemicals
Work Authorization: U.S. Citizenship Required
Candidate Location: Must Be Local to Cincinnati, OH
Experience: Approximately 5 Years of Relevant Engineering Experience

Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Chemical Process & Project Engineer to support manufacturing operations, capital projects, process improvements, and automation initiatives within a chemical manufacturing environment.

This position will be responsible for developing and executing capital improvement projects, troubleshooting chemical manufacturing processes, supporting plant controls and automation systems, and implementing new equipment and technologies. The engineer will work directly with plant personnel to identify operational challenges, develop practical solutions, and ensure successful project execution.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, approximately five years of relevant experience, and a strong background in chemical manufacturing. This individual must be comfortable working directly on the plant floor, collaborating with employees at every level, and independently managing engineering projects from initial development through implementation.

We are seeking a practical, resourceful, and results-oriented engineer who takes ownership of technical challenges and can develop effective solutions using available resources. Experience with alkyl polyglucosides (APG), specialty surfactants, Schneider Electric controls, or chemical process automation is particularly valuable.

Key Responsibilities

Chemical Process Engineering & Manufacturing Support

• Provide hands-on engineering support for chemical manufacturing operations
• Develop, evaluate, troubleshoot, and improve chemical manufacturing processes
• Identify opportunities to improve process efficiency, equipment reliability, production quality, and operational performance
• Apply chemical engineering principles to diagnose and resolve manufacturing challenges
• Collaborate directly with plant operators, Maintenance, and Engineering personnel to implement practical solutions
• Support process and product development initiatives
• Evaluate existing manufacturing processes and recommend improvements
• Develop engineering solutions that support safe, reliable, and efficient chemical production
• Participate in plant-floor troubleshooting and operational improvement activities

Capital Project Development & Execution

• Develop and manage Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) projects supporting chemical manufacturing operations
• Lead engineering projects from initial concept through budgeting, implementation, and completion
• Prepare project scopes, technical requirements, cost estimates, and capital budgets
• Evaluate equipment and technology investments based on manufacturing needs
• Coordinate project schedules, resources, equipment requirements, and implementation activities
• Work with equipment suppliers, contractors, and internal plant personnel to execute capital projects
• Monitor project costs, schedules, and technical deliverables
• Provide hands-on support during equipment installation, commissioning, and startup
• Ensure projects are completed in accordance with operational requirements and established engineering standards

Process Controls & Automation Engineering

• Support plant controls programming, troubleshooting, and process control improvements
• Evaluate existing control systems and identify opportunities to improve manufacturing performance
• Assist with process automation design, development, and implementation
• Troubleshoot automation-related manufacturing issues in collaboration with plant personnel
• Support integration of new controls technologies and manufacturing equipment
• Work with technical specialists and outside engineering firms when advanced controls expertise is required
• Develop practical solutions to improve process stability, equipment performance, and operational efficiency
• Support improvements to plant automation systems and manufacturing process controls
• Assist with controls-related documentation and technical procedures

Equipment & Technology Implementation

• Evaluate manufacturing equipment and technologies to support process improvements
• Support equipment selection, installation, commissioning, and operational startup
• Identify opportunities to improve existing equipment and manufacturing systems
• Coordinate equipment modifications and engineering improvements
• Work directly with Operations and Maintenance to resolve equipment-related challenges
• Develop technical requirements and implementation plans for new equipment
• Support successful integration of new technologies into existing manufacturing processes
• Provide troubleshooting support following equipment installation or modification

Engineering Standards & Technical Documentation

• Develop and maintain engineering standards, technical specifications, and process documentation
• Prepare project documentation, operating procedures, and engineering reports
• Maintain accurate records of equipment modifications and process improvements
• Support development of technical documentation for new equipment and technologies
• Ensure engineering activities align with applicable manufacturing and safety requirements
• Communicate technical findings, project updates, and engineering recommendations to stakeholders
• Maintain organized project records and engineering documentation
• Support continuous improvement of plant engineering practices and standards

Process Safety, Environmental & Quality Compliance

• Support compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements
• Ensure engineering activities align with applicable Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) standards
• Support plant Quality Management System requirements and applicable ISO standards
• Evaluate process and equipment modifications for potential safety and operational impacts
• Collaborate with plant personnel to identify and address manufacturing safety concerns
• Incorporate safety and quality considerations into capital projects and process improvements
• Support engineering documentation and compliance activities
• Promote safe engineering practices throughout project execution and manufacturing operations

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Technical Training

• Work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and plant leadership
• Provide hands-on technical support to manufacturing personnel
• Train operating personnel on new equipment, process improvements, and technologies
• Communicate engineering recommendations clearly to technical and nontechnical employees
• Collaborate with outside engineering firms when specialized technical expertise is required
• Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure successful project implementation
• Support manufacturing teams in resolving operational and technical challenges
• Build effective working relationships with employees at all organizational levels
• Maintain accountability for engineering projects and improvement initiatives through completion

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering
• Approximately 5 years of relevant process or project engineering experience
• Experience within the chemical process or chemical manufacturing industry
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing capital projects and budgets
• Strong understanding of chemical engineering principles and manufacturing processes
• Hands-on experience supporting manufacturing operations and troubleshooting plant equipment
• Ability and willingness to work directly on the manufacturing floor
• Experience managing engineering projects from initial development through implementation
• Understanding of manufacturing process improvements and equipment implementation
• Ability to collaborate effectively with plant operators, Maintenance personnel, and Engineering teams
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical capabilities
• Ability to develop practical solutions to complex manufacturing challenges
• Strong organizational, communication, and project execution skills
• Demonstrated ownership and accountability for assigned projects
• Ability to independently manage competing engineering priorities
• U.S. citizenship required
• Must be local to the Cincinnati, Ohio area

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with alkyl polyglucoside (APG) production
• Knowledge of biodegradable, nonionic surfactants and related chemical manufacturing processes
• Experience within specialty chemical or surfactant manufacturing operations
• Experience with Schneider Electric controls and automation systems
• Hands-on experience with plant controls programming and troubleshooting
• Experience designing and implementing chemical process automation improvements
• Additional experience managing chemical manufacturing capital projects
• Experience supporting process and product development initiatives
• Experience implementing new manufacturing equipment and technologies
• Knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM), EHS, ISO, and Quality Management System requirements
• Experience training plant operators on new equipment and manufacturing technologies
• Experience coordinating outside engineering firms and technical contractors
• Demonstrated success improving chemical manufacturing processes and equipment performance
• Experience working in manufacturing environments requiring hands-on troubleshooting and practical engineering solutions

Candidate Must-Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering
• Approximately 5 years of relevant process or project engineering experience
• Direct chemical process industry experience
• Experience developing, budgeting, and executing capital projects
• U.S. citizenship
• Must currently be local to Cincinnati, Ohio
• Strong chemical engineering fundamentals and manufacturing process knowledge
• Willingness and ability to work directly on the plant floor
• Hands-on troubleshooting and technical problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to manage engineering projects from concept through completion
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with plant operators, Maintenance, and Engineering personnel
• Practical, resourceful approach to solving manufacturing challenges
• Strong ownership, accountability, and project execution skills