Process Development Engineer, Specialty Chemicals

Overview

Engineer scalable, safe, and efficient chemical processes.

Join Polyventive’s Operations team to develop and optimize batch processes for polymers, esters, surfactants, and acid/base handling across our Georgia sites.

• Department:
  Operations
• Reports to:
  
  VP, Operations
• Primary
  
  Location:
  
  Calhoun/Dalton/Rome, GA

• Champion continuous improvement and act as a catalyst for change across multiple production lines.
• Lead projects to remove constraints, increase throughput, and reduce cost—on time and on budget.
• Design and run experiments; analyze data; troubleshoot automation and batch issues to root cause.
• Author SOPs, technical reports, and executive-level presentations; maintain process documentation.
• Execute process scale-ups for new products, validating safe, compliant operations.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, HAZMAT, and EPA requirements; complete risk assessments and implement controls.
• Maximize asset utilization and reliability through structured problem‑solving.
• Collaborate with Commercial, R&D, Purchasing, and Transportation on cost‑reduction initiatives.
• Partner with the EH&S Manager and Plant Managers to build and sustain a strong safety culture.
• Own and manage controllable costs and capital projects.
• Participate in—and when needed, lead—Incident Reporting, GEMBA, and 5S programs.

• BS in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with chemical manufacturing experience.
• 5+ years in chemical processing, including batch operations.
• Experience with process/equipment design, scale‑up, and capital investment project management.
• Lean and Six Sigma Black Belt preferred.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, quantitative analysis, and computer proficiency.
• Understanding of basic polymer chemistry.
• Proficiency with regulatory compliance (OSHA, HAZMAT, EPA).

• Continuous improvement methodologies
• Creating and maintaining SOPs
• Troubleshooting industrial automation systems
• Process engineering and development
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Quality control practices
• Mechanical design collaboration
• Lean manufacturing principles
• Advanced operational/data analysis
• Engineering degree discipline

• FLSA Status:
  Exempt

Work is typically performed in an inside, temperature‑controlled environment. Works and travels throughout plant environment of varied temperatures and humidity, and wears personal protective equipment, as required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Various operations in the plant generate noise, dust, vapor and fumes in the normal course of production. The Company has been and is committed to eliminating these conditions to the extent possible through the application of design engineering. The Company also provides a variety of safety equipment to keep all associates safe and within OSHA standards. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.