Applied Catalyst Technology Engineer

Clariant SE; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 115,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Holidays

PTO with carry-over

Tuition Reimbursement

Wellness Program

EAP Program

Spending and Savings Accounts

Life/AD&D Insurance

Disability Insurance

Pet Insurance

Auto/Home Insurance

Identity Theft Protection

Legal Services Plan

Job summary

Clariant is seeking an Applied Catalyst Technology Engineer to support the Catalyst Business Unit in The Woodlands, TX or Louisville, KY. The role focuses on catalyst technology, customer engagement, and field support, with up to 50% travel across North and South America.

This onsite position requires hands-on experience in catalyst selection, performance evaluation, and process optimization, along with strong communication skills to interact with customers and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering is highly preferred; a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry may be considered with relevant catalyst, chemical plant, or industrial process experience.
• 2-5 years of experience in catalyst technology, catalyst applications, chemical plant process engineering, refining, petrochemicals, syngas, hydrogen, or related technical environment; recent graduates with relevant catalyst-focused internships, co-op experience, or research may also be considered.
• Hands-on experience or exposure to catalyst selection, catalyst performance evaluation, catalyst loading, startup support, troubleshooting, or process optimization is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work directly with customers and cross-functional teams in a technical, customer-facing environment.
• Ability to travel up to 50% throughout North and South America, including travel on short notice.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Support catalyst grade selection, technical proposals, performance evaluations, loading, startup, troubleshooting, and optimization throughout the customer sales and service cycle
• Conduct catalyst performance evaluations, predictions, and projections using Clariant’s proprietary design programs, operating data, and digital tools
• Travel to customer facilities to provide technical support during catalyst loading and startup and help bring plant operations to expected performance levels
• Analyze catalyst behavior, operating conditions, and process data to identify performance issues and recommend corrective actions
• Partner with sales teams and technology advisors to develop technically sound catalyst solutions that address customer and commercial needs
• Serve as a customer-facing technical expert, clearly communicating catalyst performance, operating recommendations, and technical risks
• Collaborate with production, R&D, product management, and technical teams to resolve catalyst application issues and improve product performance
• Prepare technical reports, design guidelines, operating manuals, case studies, and supporting calculations for catalyst applications

Skills

Catalyst technology experience

Customer-facing

Analytical skills

Travel readiness

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry (considered with relevant experience)

Tools

Proprietary design programs

Job description

Job ID: 41696 | Location: Louisville, Kentucky, USA | Position Grade: Level 8 | Expected Salary Range*: $127,920.00 | Work Model: Onsite

Clariant is currently looking for an Applied Catalyst Technology Engineer to support the Catalyst Business Unit at our facility in The Woodlands, Texas or Louisville, Kentucky. This role is designed for an early-mid career engineer with hands-on exposure to catalyst technology, catalyst applications, chemical processing, or related plant operations. The Applied Catalyst Technology Engineer supports customers throughout the catalyst lifecycle, including catalyst selection, performance evaluation, loading, startup, troubleshooting, and optimization. Prior catalyst experience is strongly preferred because this position requires the ability to understand catalyst behavior, evaluate operating performance, and provide credible technical support to customers and internal commercial teams. The successful candidate will serve as a customer-facing technical representative of Clariant and work closely with sales, technology advisors, production, R&D, and product management. This position offers a strong development path into future sales or technology advisor roles for candidates who demonstrate technical expertise, commercial awareness, and strong customer relationship skills. This is an onsite position (based inThe Woodlands, Texas or Louisville, Kentucky) requiring up to 50% travel throughout North and South America. Candidates must be able and willing to travel at short notice, respond to changing customer needs, and adjust personal schedules as required. This level of travel flexibility is an essential requirement of the role. Relocation assistance may be available. Also, candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Support catalyst grade selection, technical proposals, performance evaluations, loading, startup, troubleshooting, and optimization throughout the customer sales and service cycle
• Conduct catalyst performance evaluations, predictions, and projections using Clariant’s proprietary design programs, operating data, and digital tools
• Travel to customer facilities to provide technical support during catalyst loading and startup and help bring plant operations to expected performance levels
• Analyze catalyst behavior, operating conditions, and process data to identify performance issues and recommend corrective actions
• Partner with sales teams and technology advisors to develop technically sound catalyst solutions that address customer and commercial needs
• Serve as a customer-facing technical expert, clearly communicating catalyst performance, operating recommendations, and technical risks
• Collaborate with production, R&D, product management, and technical teams to resolve catalyst application issues and improve product performance
• Prepare technical reports, design guidelines, operating manuals, case studies, and supporting calculations for catalyst applications

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering is highly preferred; a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry may be considered with relevant catalyst, chemical plant, or industrial process experience
• 2-5 years of experience in catalyst technology, catalyst applications, chemical plant process engineering, refining, petrochemicals, syngas, hydrogen, or a related technical environment; recent graduates with relevant catalyst-focused internships, co-op experience, or research may also be considered
• Hands-on experience or exposure to catalyst selection, catalyst performance evaluation, catalyst loading, startup support, troubleshooting, or process optimization is strongly preferred
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work directly with customers and cross-functional teams in a technical, customer-facing environment
• Ability to travel up to 50% throughout North and South America, including travel on short notice
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship

What´s in it for you?

• Paid Holidays
• PTO time with a carry-over benefit
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness Program
• EAP Program
• Spending and Savings Accounts
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Auto/Home Insurance
• Identity Theft Protection
• Legal Services Plan
• *Includes base salary and annual incentive bonus; final offer based on skills, experience and internal equity.

Clariant is a Swiss-based global specialty chemicals company, which is concentrated and developed in three business units: Care Chemicals, Catalysts and Adsorbents & Additives. Our purpose as a company is reflected in our tagline "Greater chemistry - between people and planet", which considers the principles of customer, innovation and people orientation, as well as a focus on creating solutions to foster sustainability in different industries by offering high-value and high-performance chemical specialties.

At Clariant, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to our success. We strive to cultivate a workplace where all employees feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. Our diverse workforce allows us to tap into a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and capabilities that drive innovation. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for professional growth and advancement across all levels of the organization, based on objective criteria and regardless of gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, protected veteran status ,age, disability, sexual orientation or other aspects of diversity in accordance with the relevant governing laws. By bringing together talented individuals with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, we gain the agility to meet the evolving needs of our global customers and communities. Join our team to help advance our mission of fostering a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive.

Clariant Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected Veteran status, or any other protected class as established by law.

We at Clariant are aware of our responsibility. Our purpose "Greater chemistry - between people and planet" describes the role we can play in the world if we align our thinking and all future decisions with it.