Process and Product Development Engineer

Aksa Carbon; Yalova Merkez; On-site; TRY 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation (6 months)

Job summary

Aksa Carbon is seeking an ambitious Process & Product Development Engineer to shape our manufacturing footprint. You will lead process design, scale-up activities, and commissioning for major new investments, while optimizing existing processes from chemistry to final product execution.

The role requires hands-on experience in polymerization, process design, DoE, and line start‑up, with strong cross‑functional collaboration across Manufacturing, Quality, and Maintenance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical/Process/Polymer Engineering or related field.
• MSc degree in Chemical/Process/Design preferred.
• 3–5 years of hands-on industrial experience in process development and commissioning.
• Experience with equipment sizing, simulation, line start-up, and vendor management.
• Knowledge of polymerization, rheology, spinning dynamics, and thermal stabilization kinetics.
• Strong troubleshooting and DoE/Statistical analysis skills.
• English fluency for interaction with international providers and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead process engineering designs (P&IDs, PFDs, mass/energy balances) for greenfield or expansion projects.
• Define requirements, prepare specs, and assist in equipment selection and sizing.
• Evaluate bids and provide recommendations with cross-functional teams.
• Calculate material and utility consumptions for options and variations.
• Execute on-site commissioning, testing, and initial start-up phases for equipment.
• Scale up precursor chemistry and spinning processes to commercial manufacturing.
• Design and optimize polymerization and wet/dry spinning processes for quality and efficiency.
• Refine thermal stabilization and carbonization recipes for energy efficiency.
• Plan DoE-driven pilot and plant trials; track KPIs and implement CAPAs.
• Lead Process Safety Management activities including HAZOP for new designs and modifications.
• Prepare SOPs, control narratives, and operate documentation for new equipment.

Skills

Process design

Scale-up

Commissioning

Troubleshooting

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

English proficiency

Relocation willingness

International collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Process Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Polymer Engineering

MSc in Chemical Engineering

MSc in Process Engineering

Tools

DoE

Minitab

SPC

PFDs

P&IDs

Process simulation software

Engineering design tools

Job description

We are seeking an ambitious Process & Product Development Engineer to join our R&D Directorate. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in shaping the future of our manufacturing footprint. You will lead process design, scale-up activities, and commissioning efforts for major new investment projects, while optimizing our existing processes from chemistry to final product execution. If you believe you are the ideal candidate for our role, we would be pleased to meet you.

More About This Role

What you need to know about this position:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, or a related field.
• Preferably an MSc degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Process Design, or Equipment Design.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands‑on industrial experience in process development, process design, commissioning, start‑up, optimization and troubleshooting of continuous chemical processing facilities.
• Demonstrated experience in equipment sizing, process simulation, equipment commissioning, line start‑up, and vendor management for major industrial investments.
• In‑depth understanding of a polymerization mechanisms, polymer rheology, wet/dry‑jet wet spinning dynamics, and thermal stabilization kinetics.
• Comprehensive knowledge of mass and heat transfer principles in high‑temperature ovens and reaction vessels.
• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Project, and statistical analysis tools (DoE, Minitab, SPC) to identify trends, solve problems, and support decision‑making.
• Proficiency in process engineering software, and familiar with engineering design tools. Capable to read/draft process control diagrams (PFDs, P&IDs).
• Good understanding of process safety principles, with experience in HAZOP and similar process safety studies being an advantage.
• Strong project management mindset, excellent cross‑functional teamwork, adaptability in fast‑paced commissioning environments, and a structured approach to problem‑solving.
• Advanced/Professional level of spoken and written English for interacting with international technology providers, engineering contractors, and equipment vendors.
• Residing or be willing to relocate to Yalova, İzmit, or the Anatolian side of Istanbul.
• Having no obstacle for travelling inland or abroad

Job Description

• Lead and support conceptual, basic, and detailed process engineering designs (P&IDs, PFDs, mass and energy balances, and related process calculations) for greenfield or expansion investment projects.
• Define process requirements, prepare technical specifications, and assist in the selection, sizing and technical evaluation of process equipment and instrumentation.
• Evaluate technical bids from equipment vendors and provide reccomendations in alignment with cross‑functional teams.
• Calculate raw material, chemical, and utility consumptions for alternative investment options and process variations.
• Actively execute on‑site commissioning, cold/hot testing, equipment qualification, and initial start‑up phases for new polymerization, spinning, oxidation, and carbonization equipment, ensuring a seamless handover to operations.
• Scale up precursor chemistry and spinning innovations from laboratory and pilot scale into robust commercial‑scale manufacturing operations.
• Design and optimize continuous polymerization, dope preparation, degassing, and wet / dry‑jet wet spinning processes to maximize precursor density, molecular orientation, and structural homogeneity.
• Formulate and refine recipe profiles for thermal stabilization (oxidation) and high‑temperature carbonization, optimizing reaction kinetics, fiber tension, and energy efficiency.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise pilot‑and plant‑scale trials using Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology.
• Act as the technical process owner for assigned areas by tracking KPIs (capacity, yield, waste, conversion, quality), investigating daily process deviations, and implementing long‑term corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Diagnose complex operational bottlenecks, filament breakage events, or unwanted side‑reactions across precursor and carbon fiber lines.
• Identify and execute cost‑reduction, yield‑improvement, waste‑reduction, and capacity‑expansion initiatives in close collaboration with Manufacturing, Quality, and Maintenance teams.
• Lead or participate in Process Safety Management (PSM) activities, including HAZOP studies, for both new investment designs and existing line modifications.
• Prepare, review, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process control narratives, and operational documentation for new and modified equipment.
• Ensure all process design, commissioning, and operational activities comply with company standards, quality systems, and EHS regulations.

What We Offer

• New employees are provided with accommodation at the company’s social facilities for up to 6 months to support their relocation and onboarding process.
• Service Opportunity: On the Yalova, Kocaeli, Bursa and İstanbul (Anatolian Side)