Production Engineer

Overview

The Production Engineer is a hands-on technical and operational leader responsible for optimizing daily production activities while supervising plant operators. This role combines engineering expertise with frontline leadership and is designed to build the skills necessary for progression into plant or operations management.

• Provide engineering support for daily operations across chemical processing equipment, including reactors, distillation systems, filtration units, scrubbers, pumps, centrifuges, and storage tanks.
• Monitor production performance and identify opportunities to improve throughput, yields, cycle times, and product quality.
• Perform material balance calculations, verify yields, and analyze production data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for equipment and process issues, including root-cause analysis and implementation of corrective actions.
• Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), production instructions, and technical documentation.

• Collaborate with Maintenance to develop and execute preventive maintenance plans for critical production equipment.
• Ensure operators are trained to perform routine equipment checks and report abnormalities.
• Identify equipment reliability issues and support long-term corrective actions to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.
• Participate in maintenance planning and scheduling to balance production needs with asset reliability.

• Supervise and direct operators to ensure safe, compliant, and consistent execution of production activities.
• Develop shift schedules, allocate daily resources, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to meet production objectives.
• Train operators on equipment operation, basic troubleshooting, and safe work practices.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and development support to employees.
• Step in to support operations as needed to ensure continuity and strengthen process knowledge.

• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations, including Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Participate in HAZOPs, Management of Change (MOC) reviews, incident investigations, and risk assessments.
• Maintain accurate production logs, batch records, and inventory documentation.
• Investigate and resolve safety, quality, or process deviations.
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, process reliability, and quality enhancement.
• Mentor and develop operators and emerging leaders to strengthen the site’s technical and leadership capabilities.
• Gain exposure to budgeting, planning, and operational strategy in preparation for future leadership roles.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (required).
• 3–5 years of experience in a supervisory role within a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of chemical production processes, industrial equipment, troubleshooting techniques, and preventive maintenance practices.
• Experience working in PSM-regulated environments.
• Demonstrated communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with production or process modeling software is a plus.

• On-site role in a chemical manufacturing environment with moderate noise levels.
• Requires standing, walking, climbing stairs, stooping, kneeling, reading instrumentation, and interacting with equipment.