Full-Time
Engineering Project Manager
Updated on 9/3/2026
AkzoNobel
10,001+ employees
Global paints and coatings manufacturer
Compensation Overview
$135k - $145k/yr
Waukegan, IL, USA
In Person
Must be able to travel based upon base location.
Bachelor's, Master's
 Project & Program Management (1) |
|---|
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- Bachelor of Science in Chemical, Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
- 5 years' experience leading and managing multiple capital expenditure projects in multiple functions. Must have proven experience managing suppliers. Experience in the paints and coatings industry or chemical manufacturing preferred.
- 3 years' asset reliability management experience to include the use of asset lifecycle methodology.
- Must have technical and scientific understanding (Master of Engineering level) in the areas of engineering and maintenance reliability, with proven records of the application of Asset Lifecycle methodologies in projects and operations.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to lead multiple capital expenditure project in multiple functions. Must have proven experience in managing suppliers.
- Proficient decision making and problem-solving skills.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact with stakeholders.
- Must be able to travel based upon base location.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office. Experience with SAP-PM or similar computerized maintenance management system software preferred.
- Fluent in English. Bilingual skills preferred.
- Serve as Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Manager in the preparation and execution of regional projects ensuring a clear definition of the project scope, deliverables and the engagement of end-users. Will develop user requirements specification (URS) document. Will also identify and activate Global Engineering resources and standards to ensure optimal solutions.
- Capture technical needs and specifics in close collaboration with facility representatives, recommending and designing project solutions.
- Select suppliers based upon agreed criteria and bidding outcomes, issuing purchase requisition. Will decide the contracting model in collaboration with Procurement.
- May manage an internal or external Engineering team to deliver the Basis of Design (BoD) and Detailed Engineering Packages.
- Provide Reliability Engineering direction and reliability initiatives management for asset performance improvement.
- Lead Asset Reliability improvement projects and initiatives including, but not limited to, root cause analysis, failure modes, and effect analysis.
- Provide project status updates to the Engineering management team to minimize risks.
- Ensure optimal safety, quality, planning, and cost management. Will escalate to the Engineering management team and Steering Committee to minimize risks.
AkzoNobel makes paints and coatings for homes and industry. Its Decorative Paints division includes Dulux, Sikkens, and Coral, while Performance Coatings serves automotive, aerospace, marine, protective, and powder-coating applications. Coatings are liquids that form durable films to protect surfaces, add color and gloss, and improve resistance. The company competes globally with a strong brand portfolio and a focus on surface protection, sustainability, and finishing technologies, having divested Specialty Chemicals in 2018 to concentrate on coatings.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Founded
1792
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- September 2026 Sassenheim lab deepens leadership in sustainable powder coatings.
- August 2026 TAP Air Portugal trials cut aerospace basecoat film thickness 36%.
- NIO battery coatings reached mass production in November 2024 across 80,000 vehicles.
What critics are saying
- Axalta merger approval rests on regulators across 30 countries, delaying closure into 2027.
- $600 million synergy targets imply job cuts and duplicated-function eliminations after integration.
- If antitrust remedies force divestitures, AkzoNobel loses scale and strategic control.
What makes AkzoNobel unique
- AkzoNobel owns Dulux, Sikkens, and Interpon across decorative and industrial coatings.
- Its Sassenheim R&D center drives solvent-free powder coatings and low-temperature curing.
- The planned Axalta merger creates a $15 billion coatings leader by early 2027.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Hybrid Work Options
Professional Development Budget
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 4%1 year growth
↑ 4%2 year growth
↑ 4%AkzoNobel opens €7.5m coatings research lab in the Netherlands. AkzoNobel has opened a €7.5 million research facility at its Sassenheim site in the Netherlands, increasing its development capacity for lower-temperature curing and solvent-free coating technologies. The new laboratory forms part of Sassenheim, AkzoNobel's largest R&D centre globally, and will primarily focus on the company's powder coatings business. Research will include coatings that can cure...
AkzoNobel launches Powder Coatings Innovation lab in the Netherlands. September 3, 2026 AkzoNobel inaugurated a €7.5 million innovation laboratory at its Sassenheim site in the Netherlands, further strengthening the company's largest global research and development (R&D) centre. The facility, which focuses primarily on powder coatings, will accelerate the development of more sustainable, solvent-free and energy-efficient coating solutions. The laboratory is expected to support AkzoNobel's efforts to develop advanced technologies while addressing the evolving sustainability needs of customers and industries. Advancing Next-Generation Powder Coatings The laboratory will focus on developing next-generation powder coating technologies, including lower-temperature curing solutions. These technologies can help customers reduce energy consumption during coating processes while improving overall production efficiency. According to Frank Vergeer, R&D Director of AkzoNobel's Powder Coatings business, the facility will play a key role in advancing the company's product innovation capabilities. He said the investment will not only strengthen AkzoNobel's position in powder coating technologies but also expand its capabilities in coating performance, application technology and advanced particle analysis. Improving Customer Productivity and Product Life Beyond energy efficiency, AkzoNobel will use the new laboratory to explore innovative solutions that can improve customer productivity. Furthermore, researchers will investigate ways to extend product lifetimes while reducing maintenance requirements and material consumption. These developments could help customers improve operational efficiency and reduce the overall environmental impact of their coating processes. Supporting Lower Carbon Emissions By developing more efficient and durable coating solutions, AkzoNobel aims to reduce carbon emissions across the value chain. The company has already made significant progress in reducing emissions from its own operations. AkzoNobel reports that it has cut Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO[2] emissions by 50% from its 2018 baseline, achieving this milestone four years ahead of its original schedule. Strengthening Coatings Innovation The €7.5 million investment reinforces AkzoNobel's commitment to advancing powder coatings innovation and sustainable coating technologies. As per the press release, with a stronger R&D platform, the company aims to develop solutions that combine energy efficiency, lower environmental impact, improved product performance and greater customer productivity. Consequently, the new innovation lab is positioned to support the next generation of sustainable coatings for global markets.
AkzoNobel invests €7.5 million in new coatings innovation lab. AkzoNobel opened a €7.5 million innovation lab at its Sassenheim R&D hub to speed up development of sustainable, solvent-free, energy-efficient powder coatings. A new €7.5 million innovation lab has been inaugurated by AkzoNobel at its Sassenheim site in the Netherlands, strengthening the company's largest global R&D center. The facility will focus on powder coatings and help to accelerate the development of more sustainable, solvent-free, and energy-efficient coating solutions. "We've established a global reputation for pioneering product innovation and the new lab will be pivotal in ensuring that we continue to innovate with impact," said Frank Vergeer, R&D Director of AkzoNobel's Powder Coatings business. "As well as strengthening our leadership in powder coating technologies, this investment will also expand the company's wider innovation capabilities in coating performance, application and advanced particle analysis." The new lab will mainly focus on accelerating the development of next-generation powder coatings - including lower temperature curing technologies that can further reduce energy use - as well as solutions that will support customer productivity improvements. In-depth research will also be carried out to identify new opportunities, such as helping to extend product lifetimes, and reduce maintenance and material use. By developing these solutions, AkzoNobel will enhance its ability to cut carbon emissions across the value chain. The company has already reduced CO[2] emissions in its own operations (Scopes 1 and 2, baseline 2018) by 50% - four years ahead of schedule. Company. Christian Neefestraat 2 1077 WW Amsterdam Netherlands
Akzo Nobel opens colour blending facility in Thailand. Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings has inaugurated a new colour blending and distribution facility in Chonburi, Thailand, to strengthen its support for aviation customers across the Asia-Pacific region. The site offers locally blended aerospace coatings and improved product availability for commercial operators, MROs and OEMs. 2 September 2026
AkzoNobel opens innovation lab to develop lower-carbon powder coatings. Graeme Paterson 02-Sep-2026 LONDON (ICIS)-AkzoNobel has opened an innovation laboratory to focus on developing the next generation of lower-carbon powder coatings, the Dutch specialty chemicals company said on Wednesday. The €7.5 million facility will explore lower temperature curing technologies to cut energy use, and solutions to support customer productivity improvements. It will also carry out research into extending product lifetimes, as well as reducing maintenance and material use, AkzoNobel said. "As well as strengthening our leadership in powder coating technologies, this investment will also expand the company's wider innovation capabilities in coating performance, application and advanced particle analysis," said Frank Vergeer, research and development (R&D) director of Akzo's powder coatings business. The new laboratory, at the company's global R&D center at Sassenheim in the Netherlands, was opened by Stientje van Veldhoven, Dutch government minister for climate and green growth. Global news + ICIS chemical business (ICB). See the full picture, with unlimited access to ICIS chemicals news across all markets and regions, plus ICB, the industry-leading magazine for the chemicals industry. Related commodity market analysis and insight. Contact COMAH. Partnering with ICIS unlocks a vision of a future you can trust and achieve. COMAH leverage its unrivalled network of industry experts to deliver a comprehensive market view based on independent and reliable data, insight and analytics. Contact COMAH to learn how COMAH can support you as you transact today and plan for tomorrow.