Full-Time

Maintenance Engineer

Posted on 11/1/2025

Vantage

Vantage

501-1,000 employees

Manufactures naturally derived specialty ingredients

Compensation Overview

$104k - $156k/yr

+ Short-term incentive program

Waukegan, IL, USA

In Person

Category
General Maintenance & Repair (2)
,
Requirements
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering is described under desirable, not as requirement; no explicit requirements are listed in the posting.
Responsibilities
  • Coordinate the inspection and routine maintenance of equipment.
  • Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions in the field to determine root cause and required actions to address issues including creation of action plans.
  • Responsible for supporting a 24-hour operation including occasional off-shift work as needed.
  • Oversee and at times participate in the repair of mechanical equipment including pumps, gear reducers, seals, bearings, hydraulic/pneumatic systems, blowers, and conveyors.
  • Coordinate / permit work performed by outside contractors, vendors, and engineering consultants.
  • Ensure the safe operation of the facility through proper maintenance of equipment.
  • Review daily work orders, ensuring proper data collection, and provide reports as needed.
  • Ensure all plant maintenance changes follow the PSM mandated Management of Change process.
  • Provide technical support and training to the crew and create or updated maintenance procedures as needed.
  • Work with parts team to manage stocks of maintenance supplies and equipment.
  • Adhere to all safety and performance regulations.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience as a Maintenance Engineer
  • Previous experience in Chemical Manufacturing industry preferred
  • Advanced knowledge on pumping, heat exchange, filtration, electrical, plumbing, boilers, chillers & cooling systems and HVAC systems.
  • Expertise working with heavy industrial equipment.
  • Ability to read system schematics.
  • Knowledge of EPA & OSHA guidelines, properly handling of hazardous materials and proper equipment procedures.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, prioritizing tasks and delegating as appropriate.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong team player and problem solver.
  • Must be able to lift 20 pounds at a time.

Vantage Specialty Chemicals makes naturally derived specialty ingredients for personal care, food, consumer goods, and industrial uses. Its products, including fatty acids, emulsifiers, and cosmetic ingredients, are manufactured and formulated across global sites, with formulation brought to life through in-house labs and distributed worldwide. A key differentiator is its vertical, end-to-end control of the supply chain—especially in jojoba—from farming to finished formulations—alongside a broad portfolio across four units: Personal Care, Performance Materials, Oleochemicals, and Foods. The company aims to provide high-quality, consistently available natural ingredients that help customers create safe, effective products while expanding its global footprint through strategic acquisitions.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$900M

Headquarters

Deerfield, Illinois

Founded

2008

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Apollo and Silver Point refinanced debt with $900 million loan in 2025.
  • Vantage launched SIMPLY KAKE emulsifier in 2023 for clean-label baking.
  • Vantage expands taurate capacity at Leuna site to meet bio-surfactant demand.

What critics are saying

  • S&P withdrew 'CCC+' rating on Vantage in 2025 due to distress.
  • Fitch revised outlook negative in 2024 from weak performance and high leverage.
  • BASF erodes Vantage's oleochemical share with lower-cost bio-surfactants.

What makes Vantage unique

  • Vantage vertically integrates jojoba production from farming to formulations.
  • Vantage offers over 2,000 naturally derived oleochemical products across four units.
  • Vantage acquired Leuna-Tenside in 2018 to expand EMEA natural chemistries.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

401(k) Company Match

Company News

Bloomberg L.P.
Sep 13th, 2025
Apollo, Silver Point Lead $900 Million Private Loan to Vantage

Apollo Global Management Inc. and Silver Point Capital led a roughly $900 million direct loan to Vantage Specialty Chemicals to replace the company’s existing bank-arranged financing, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

WhaTech
Oct 9th, 2024
Specialty Food Ingredients Global Market Report 2024 Size And Forecast In The New Analysis By Leading Research Firm

To meet evolving consumer preferences, companies like Vantage Specialty Chemicals are launching innovative products such as the SIMPLY KAKE emulsifier, designed to support clean label goals while achieving superior baking results.

Airport X News
Jul 15th, 2024
Vantage Group Appoints Karen Ali COO at JFK Millennium Partners

Vantage Group appoints Karen Ali COO at JFK Millennium Partners.

Cosmetics Business
Dec 1st, 2023
Vantage Personal Care

In 2019 Vantage acquired Textron Plimon, S.L.U., leading supplier of vegetable oils for the personal care, food and chemical industries.

PR Newswire
Sep 13th, 2023
Vantage® Launches "Effortless Color" Formulation Collection for Multifunctional Color Cosmetic Essentials

DEERFIELD, Ill. , Sept. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantage has just introduced "Effortless Color," a collection of eight color cosmetic formulations building on consumer trends for multifunctional products.

INACTIVE