Senior Process Development Chemical Engineer

Dsj Global - Akron, OH

Full-time - Senior

Akron, OH

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Senior Process Development Engineer will play a crucial role in supporting business and innovation platforms at the Akron Technology Center. This position focuses on providing leadership and expertise in process selection and design for novel small molecules, ensuring the development of efficient and scalable processes for the production of rubber chemicals. The engineer will lead lab-scale proof of concept efforts, collaborate with external partners on process research and scale-up, and oversee capital projects, contributing to the company's commitment to innovation and quality in the tire industry.

Responsibilities

• Develop and model potential process designs for scale-up and cost estimating based on lab-scale synthesis of novel small molecules.
• Guide the R&D team and external partners in designing and executing experiments to develop required base data for process design.
• Identify, select, and manage engagements with external partners for process development activities, mini-plant and pilot plant design and operation.
• Partner with external firms on the development of feasibility and front-end engineering packages and associated cost estimates.
• Play a leading role in large capital projects ($5M+) for brownfield and greenfield projects (design, installation, commissioning, validation, and start-up).
• Support existing global assets with capital project execution for major equipment upgrades, maintenance, etc.
• Work closely with a cross-functional team including senior management, R&D, Engineering, Operations, and external partners as needed.
• Scout external vendors and technologies and present recommendations for new technology implementation to management.
• Develop capital project proposals, including scope development, project safety reviews, and generating estimates.
• Provide technical and business assessments to guide management through decisions and choices in the development and scale-up of new products/processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related discipline required; additional post-graduate education preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in R&D, Engineering, capital project management, and/or Operations.
• Familiarity with a broad range of unit operations relevant for continuous liquid and gas phase production processes.
• Demonstrated success in developing novel processes for small molecule production at lab and pilot scale, including flow sheet development, HMB, process instrumentation, process control strategies, etc.
• Experience in scaling-up from lab/pilot scale to design, construction, and operation of global commercial scale.
• Experience in capital project management, including all phases of front-end loading project management and cost estimating.
• Familiarity with plant control software, including PLC and SCADA/Delta V systems.
• Expertise in catalysis or crystallization is a plus.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma Methodology.
• Background in statistical analysis and simulation output data interpretation.
• Experience in Aspen modeling highly preferred.
• Ability to work in a team environment, providing guidance and direction to the broader organization.
• Motivation to develop into a company expert (leader) in process development engineering.

Nice-to-haves

• Expertise in catalysis or crystallization is a plus.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma Methodology.
• Experience in Aspen modeling highly preferred.