Principal Chemical Engineer

Eastman Chemical - Kingsport, TN

Full-time - Principal

Kingsport, TN

10,001+ employees

Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities

About the position

The Principal Chemical Engineer position at Eastman is designed for a systems thinker with a robust understanding of unit operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for evaluating early process concepts through conceptual flow sheet design, utilizing laboratory data, analogous processes, and engineering fundamentals. This role requires sound judgment to assess the reasonableness and economic viability of conceptual processes. Projects will range from small process improvements to the development of new chemistries and process technologies. The ability to apply fundamental principles to solve problems, develop concepts, and scale up processes to commercial levels (at least theoretically) is essential. In this role, the engineer will evaluate and compare multiple synthesis routes, manufacturing scales, and asset options. They will conduct techno-economic evaluations of various processes and chemistries, maintaining a strong focus on safety during evaluations. This includes identifying potential safety concerns and estimating any additional capital required to mitigate these risks. Clear communication with project teams and management regarding model results and recommendations is crucial, both verbally and in writing. The engineer will actively participate in multifunctional project teams, guiding new product development and decision-making throughout the product development cycle. The position also involves applying engineering and scientific fundamentals to both existing and new areas of interest, documenting discoveries in technical reports, and potentially contributing to invention disclosures. While the role is primarily office-based, it also includes guiding and learning from laboratory efforts. The engineer will be responsible for generating user-friendly techno-economic tools that facilitate decision-making and leveraging their expertise to provide insights to product teams amidst uncertainty.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and compare multiple synthesis routes, manufacturing scales, and multiple asset options.
• Complete techno-economic evaluations of a variety of processes and chemistries.
• Maintain a safety focus during evaluations, highlighting concerns and extra capital that may be required to mitigate potential safety events.
• Communicate clearly with project teams and management about model results and recommendations both verbally and in writing.
• Actively participate in multifunctional project teams to guide new product development and decision making throughout the product development cycle.
• Apply engineering and scientific fundamentals to existing and new areas of interest.
• Document discoveries in technical reports and potentially contribute to invention disclosures.
• Generate techno-economic tools that are user friendly and enable decision making.
• Leverage expertise and fundamental knowledge to deliver insights to product teams in the face of uncertainty.

Requirements

• PhD in Chemical Engineering or an MS/BS with 5+ years of experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Fundamental knowledge of chemical engineering principles.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Ability to work independently.
• Skilled at technoeconomic evaluation and optimization modeling.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Broad interests and willingness to take on relatively undefined challenges.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Aspen Cost Estimator, LCA, Excel, VBA, Python, GAMS and other chemical engineering and economic modeling tools.