Chemical Manufacturing Engineer

Position Overview

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers and plastics committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise.

Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact. The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of an assigned manufacturing unit. This role drives operational performance by optimizing production, raw material consumption, energy usage, product quality, and equipment reliability while supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The Manufacturing Engineer serves as the technical leader for the unit, providing troubleshooting expertise, driving process optimization, and partnering across functions to improve operational excellence and business performance.

Become the technical expert for the assigned manufacturing unit. Develop a thorough understanding of the unit control strategy, including process control and alarm systems. Identify improvement opportunities and implement plans that increase operational ownership and achieve unit performance targets. Build strong cross-functional relationships that enable collaboration and influence across the organization. Lead troubleshooting efforts and drive timely, effective repair and recovery activities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Champion Ascend's zero-incident safety culture by promoting safe work practices and active operator engagement.
• Lead or participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA), and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) activities.
• Lead Management of Change (MOC) processes to ensure safe implementation of process modifications.
• Facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Quantify safety and environmental risks associated with equipment and process failures and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, safety, and Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements.

• Monitor and improve production performance, product quality, raw material efficiency, energy consumption, and overall unit reliability.
• Analyze process data and implement optimization initiatives that improve operational performance and reduce manufacturing costs.
• Track daily operating performance and develop action plans to achieve key performance indicator (KPI) targets.
• Serve as the manufacturing technical resource for process troubleshooting and operational support.
• Support implementation of new technologies and process improvements that drive sustainable performance gains.

• Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, and Reliability teams to safely plan and execute equipment outages and maintenance activities.
• Partner with Site Engineering to develop and implement cost-effective capital improvement projects.
• Support equipment reliability initiatives through engineering analysis and continuous improvement efforts.
• Provide engineering support outside normal business hours as required to maintain safe and reliable operations.

• Ensure manufacturing processes consistently meet product quality requirements.
• Represent Manufacturing during investigations of customer complaints and lead efforts to identify and eliminate root causes.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality and customer satisfaction.

• Build strong working relationships with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Reliability, Quality Assurance, Planning and…