Chemical Engineer

Location: Spencer

Job Title:

Chemical Engineer

Job Description

The Chemical Engineer serves as the site technical authority for chemical processes within a high-hazard specialty chemicals manufacturing facility. This role combines hands-on plant support with full lifecycle capital project execution, from early concept through detailed design, construction, commissioning, and startup. The engineer drives safe, reliable, and efficient operations by leading process design, resolving complex technical issues, and continuously optimizing chemical processes.

In parallel, this position owns the development and execution of a multi-year capital expenditure roadmap, managing scope, cost, schedule, and contractor performance. The role partners closely with Operations, Process Safety, and Site Leadership as the go-to expert for process decisions, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance in a PSM-regulated environment.

Responsibilities

+ Serve as the site technical authority for chemical processes in a high-hazard specialty chemicals manufacturing facility.

+ Lead advanced process engineering activities, including mass and energy balances, development and review of PFDs and P&IDs, reaction engineering, separations, and heat and mass transfer analysis.

+ Own end-to-end capital project leadership, from concept development through detailed design, construction, commissioning, and handover to operations.

+ Define project scope, develop cost estimates, and apply value engineering principles to optimize capital investments.

+ Develop and manage a multi-year CAPEX roadmap that aligns with site safety, reliability, capacity, and strategic growth objectives.

+ Lead or facilitate HAZOPs and PHAs, ensuring robust hazard identification and risk mitigation for new and existing processes.

+ Drive Process Safety Management activities, including Management of Change (MOC), and support OSHA PSM compliance for high-hazard chemical systems.

+ Design and commission safe and reliable chemical systems that meet both safety and productivity requirements.

+ Troubleshoot complex plant issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement sustainable solutions to improve yield, throughput, reliability, and cost performance.

+ Optimize batch and continuous processes in fine and specialty chemicals manufacturing, focusing on process stability and product quality.

+ Enhance process control strategies and instrumentation performance to improve operability, safety, and efficiency.

+ Oversee external engineering firms and contractors, ensuring technical quality, schedule adherence, and cost control.

+ Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, supporting their development in process engineering and project execution.

+ Collaborate closely with Operations, EHS, Maintenance, and Leadership to align technical decisions with operational needs and business goals.

+ Support environmental compliance by applying knowledge of environmental regulations affecting chemical operations in process and project design.

+ Communicate clearly and effectively across operations, engineering, and leadership levels to support decision-making and gain alignment on key initiatives.

+ Balance urgent, unplanned operational needs and projects with ongoing strategic initiatives and long-term CAPEX programs.

+ Act as a visible technical leader on site, building trust through hands-on engagement, sound judgment, and data-driven recommendations.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.

+ 10+ years of experience in chemical manufacturing, combining plant operations and project work.

+ Strong in process engineering within high-hazard chemical manufacturing environments.

+ Proven experience in fine or specialty chemicals manufacturing, including batch and continuous processes.

+ Demonstrated success commissioning new or modified chemical processes in an operating plant.

+ Advanced skills in mass and energy balances, process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), reaction engineering, separations, and heat and mass transfer.

+ Direct experience leading or facilitating HAZOPs and process hazard analyses (PHAs).

+ Strong understanding of OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements and Management of Change (MOC) processes.

+ Ability to design and commission safe chemical systems that meet rigorous process safety standards.

+ Experience leading capital projects from concept through commissioning, including scope definition, cost estimation, and value engineering.

+ Hands-on plant troubleshooting experience, including root cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.

+ Experience in process improvement focused on yield, throughput, reliability, and cost reduction.

+ Familiarity with process simulation tools such as Aspen, HYSYS, or similar software.

+ Knowledge of environmental regulations that affect chemical manufacturing operations.

+ Ability to manage multiple priorities and handle urgent or unplanned projects without compromising long-term…