Associate Engineer - 2027 Leadership Development Program

Avient Corporation; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Avient Corporation offers the Engineering Leadership Development Program, a two-year rotation through multiple engineering roles at different manufacturing sites. Participants gain hands-on experience in process, project, reliability and quality engineering while earning Lean Six Sigma certification.

During each phase, associates receive mentoring from program and business leaders and build relationships with site teams worldwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field.
• 1+ years of experience preferred (co-op or internship).
• Must graduate by the program start date, but no more than one year prior.

Responsibilities

• Develop, design and communicate manufacturing processes.
• Monitor and revise processes to improve safety, quality and efficiency.
• Research current and emerging technologies for process improvements.
• Identify and solve issues with processes and equipment.
• Manage capital project activity for new equipment installation.
• Own change management projects to drive process improvement.
• Interact with Senior Management and collaborate globally.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Change management

Manufacturing processes

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Materials Science

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Engineering Leadership Development Program accelerates professional development by placing participants in multiple engineering related roles during a two-year rotational program working with different Avient manufacturing sites. Individuals get hands‑on experience by going through two or more rotations (depending on function and/or geographic) gaining key technical, change management, and leadership competencies. Each of these assignments will support a wide range of projects and activities focused on adding real value for the business and driving improvement in the critical manufacturing processes of Avient. The program will place the individual in different facets of manufacturing operations including process, project, reliability and/or quality engineering. Individuals will participate in Lean Six Sigma Training and achieve certification. During each phase of assignment, Engineering Associates will establish relationships with site associates, peers and leaders. They will also learn fundamentals and be provided mentoring from both program and business level leadership. Upon completion of the program, individuals are placed in a full time role within Avient that best suits their personal and professional goals and matches the business needs.

Position Summary

The Engineering Leadership Development Program accelerates professional development by placing participants in multiple engineering related roles during a two-year rotational program working with different Avient manufacturing sites. Individuals get hands‑on experience by going through two or more rotations (depending on function and/or geographic) gaining key technical, change management, and leadership competencies. Each of these assignments will support a wide range of projects and activities focused on adding real value for the business and driving improvement in the critical manufacturing processes of Avient. The program will place the individual in different facets of manufacturing operations including process, project, reliability and/or quality engineering. Individuals will participate in Lean Six Sigma Training and achieve certification. During each phase of assignment, Engineering Associates will establish relationships with site associates, peers and leaders. They will also learn fundamentals and be provided mentoring from both program and business level leadership. Upon completion of the program, individuals are placed in a full time role within Avient that best suits their personal and professional goals and matches the business needs.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Develop, design and communicate manufacturing processes.
• Monitor and revise processes to and improve the safety, quality and efficiency of the product and / or process and generate cost savings.
• Responsible for activities related to the development of new processes including researching current and emerging technologies, evaluating process safety, quality and cost.
• Identify and solve issues with processes and equipment. Troubleshoot possible causes and coordinate the activities of maintenance, production and other available resources to implement cost effective solutions.
• Manage capital project activity for the specification and installation of new equipment.
• Own change management projects to drive process improvement.
• Interact with Senior Management, build relationships with other employees across the globe and make a difference in Avient’s future success.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 1+ years of experience preferred (can include prior co‑op or internship experience).
• Must graduate by the program start date, but no more than one year prior.

Qualifications

Willing to relocate and travel.

About Us

Our purpose at Avient Corporation is to be an innovator of materials solutions that help our customers succeed, while enabling a sustainable world.

Innovation goes far beyond materials science; it’s powered by the passion, creativity, and diverse expertise of 9,000 professionals worldwide. Whether you’re a finance wizard, a tech enthusiast, an operational powerhouse, an HR changemaker, or a trailblazer in materials development, you’ll find your place at Avient.

Join our global team and help shape the future with sustainable solutions that transform possibilities into realities. Your unique perspective could be the key to our next breakthrough!

We believe that all of our global employees are leaders and that the six most important behaviors for driving our strategy and culture are the same no matter if an employee is a leader of self, a leader of others, or a leader of the business.

By playing to win, acting customer centric, driving innovation and profitable growth, collaborating seamlessly across Avient, and motivating and inspiring and developing others and yourself you will accelerate your ability to achieve Avient’s strategic goals, to meet our customer needs, and to accomplish your career goals.

At Avient, we believe a wide variety of thoughts, ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person’s qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.

Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non‑discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran’s status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. If you need an accommodation because of a disability to complete an online application, please contact the Avient HR Team by emailing, [e-mail].