Polymers Engineer

Job Group Capability

Job Group

Process Engineering

Job Role Description

The Polymers Process Engineer - Advanced is expected to apply engineering skills, knowledge of polymer process technology, and developing leadership capabilities to:

• Make decisions and provide guidance in the development and implementation of low to medium complexity polymer process technology
• Resolve low to medium scale technology issues in polymerization, finishing, or other specialty areas and support optimization of manufacturing operations
• Provide technical support to major projects and turnarounds within their assigned polymer platform or specialty area
• Acquire a strong working knowledge of technology fundamentals and begin building depth in selected polymer sub-specialties

This role is expected to effectively collaborate, interact, and communicate with partners. The Polymers Process Engineer - Advanced begins developing key leadership skills to support the transition from an individual contributor to a technical leader.

The Polymers Process Engineer - Advanced has a growing regional or cross site impact and assists with developing both functional and behavioral skills of less experienced engineers. They increasingly work through others by coordinating tasks, providing technical guidance, and contributing to team based problem solving.

Job Role Responsibilities

Technical Leadership
- Perform complex process engineering work in assigned areas while developing greater independence and improved judgment.
- Build foundational technical expertise in polymerization, finishing, or specialty operations.
- Seek guidance from Experts and Senior Experts for higher-risk decisions or unfamiliar challenges.
Technology Development / Deployment
- Support development and implementation of new or improved process technologies that enhance safety, sustainability, product quality, capacity, and efficiency. Activities may include:
- Assisting with new process or product development and early-stage scale-up
- Supporting equipment or process improvement evaluations
- Performing process modeling and simulation under guidance
- Coordinating with laboratory and pilot-plant teams for data collection
- Supporting technology risk assessment activities
- Assisting with preparation and execution of plant trials
Facility / Site Operations Support
- Provide technical support to facility operations and help address complex but well-defined issues with guidance.
- Participate in optimization efforts and structured troubleshooting activities.
- Assist with hazard screening, benchmarking, debottlenecking studies, and catalyst/feed evaluations.
- Support turnaround planning and on-site execution.
- Help capture and deploy local and Technology best practices.
Project Development Support
- Support process design and engineering work for new or modified facilities, including:
- Heat & material balances
- Process flow diagrams and P&IDs
- Equipment sizing and basic specifications
- Process design basis development
- Assist with commissioning and start-up activities and document learnings for future work.
Collaboration and Networking
- Collaborate with manufacturing, project teams, and technical experts to ensure alignment on engineering work.
- Participate in technology networks and communities of practice to broaden knowledge and visibility.
Innovation and Improvements
- Contribute to improvements in engineering work processes, tools, and methodologies.
Fleet Monitoring and Improvement
- Identify opportunities to streamline tasks and support broader improvement initiatives.
Documentation, Mentoring and Knowledge Sharing
- Document and communicate technical work clearly and accurately.
- Present findings to peers and stakeholders as needed.
- Provide informal guidance to early-career engineers or interns as part of development.
- Continue building understanding of business, operations, technology, and project workflows.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of process engineering experience (following receipt of an engineering degree) supporting industrial-scale virgin polymer manufacturing operations. 

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

Candidates with the following qualifications will be of particular interest:

• 10+ years of direct experience with process development, optimization, and/or manufacturing support of the polymerization, post-polymerization, or finishing processes of at least one of the following virgin polymers:  polyethylene (gas-phase, slurry, and high-pressure), polypropylene (slurry), ethylene alpha-olefin copolymers, butyl rubber, EPDM, and hydrocarbon resins. 
• A degree in chemical engineering (or a degree in mechanical engineering for candidates with polymer finishing experience). 
• Demonstrated track record of identifying, developing, and implementing process improvements that deliver measurable business value through enhanced safety, reliability, product quality, capacity, energy efficiency, or cost reduction.
• Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional efforts to troubleshoot complex manufacturing and process challenges.