Capital Project Development Engineer

W.R. Grace & Co.; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance and Disability

Grace Wellness Program

Flexible Workplace

Retirement Plans

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation and Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Company Donation Match Program

Job summary

Grace, a Standard Industries company, is seeking a Capital Project Development Engineer (PDE) to lead capital projects from FEL 0 to FEL 2. You will coordinate cross-functional teams across Operations, Process Technology, Engineering, EHS, Finance, and Supply Chain to mature scope, cost, and schedule aligned with the Grace Project Methodology.

The role requires strong leadership, business acumen, and the ability to drive decisions with data while ensuring safety and project value through gates

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in project engineering, process technology, or capital projects.
• Working knowledge of front-end loading, project economics, estimating, scheduling, risk management, and project execution.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned capital projects through FEL 0, FEL 1, and FEL 2.
• Serve as the overall project leader responsible for coordinating all project development activities and deliverables.
• Assemble, align, and lead cross-functional project teams including Operations, Process Technology, Engineering, EHS, Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Commercial representatives.
• Facilitate project decision-making and ensure alignment among stakeholders.
• Coordinate development of FEL cost estimates, schedules, risk assessments, and execution plans.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional team work

Gate governance

Influence without authority

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related engineering

Job description

Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.

Job Description

The Capital Project Development Engineer (PDE) is responsible for leading the development of capital projects through Front-End Loading (FEL 0-2) in accordance with the Grace Project Methodology (GPM). The PDE serves as the single point of accountability for project development and is responsible for transforming business opportunities into well-defined, executable projects that satisfy technical, operational, financial, safety, and strategic objectives.

The PDE leads cross-functional teams through project initiation, alternatives analysis, and conceptual design while ensuring project scope, business value, risk, cost, schedule, and execution strategy mature appropriately through each gate. The role requires strong leadership through influence, technical breadth, business acumen, and the ability to drive alignment across multiple functions and stakeholders.

• Lead assigned capital projects through FEL 0, FEL 1, and FEL 2.
• Serve as the overall project leader responsible for coordinating all project development activities and deliverables.
• Assemble, align, and lead cross-functional project teams including Operations, Process Technology, Engineering, EHS, Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Commercial representatives.
• Facilitate project decision-making and ensure alignment among stakeholders.

Business Case Development

• Partner with business sponsors to clearly define project objectives, success criteria, and strategic alignment.
• Develop and maintain project charters, business cases, and financial justifications.
• Validate project benefits, assumptions, risks, and alternatives prior to major investment decisions.
• Ensure project objectives remain aligned with business priorities throughout project development.

Alternatives Analysis and Scope Development

• Lead structured alternatives analyses to identify the optimum technical and business solution.
• Challenge assumptions and evaluate opportunities for scope optimization, standardization, debottlenecking, asset utilization, and capital efficiency.
• Develop and maintain the Process Basis of Design and Project Design Scope.
• Drive technical and commercial decisions using objective data and risk-based evaluation.

Responsibilities (2 of 2)

Project Controls and Risk Management

• Coordinate development of FEL cost estimates, schedules, risk assessments, and execution plans.
• Ensure project risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies are identified, documented, and actively managed.
• Establish action plans to address project gaps and risks prior to gate reviews.
• Monitor project development progress and ensure deliverables are completed to required quality standards.

Gate Reviews and Governance

• Prepare and present gate review packages and recommendations.
• Ensure all applicable GPM deliverables are completed and meet project quality requirements.
• Facilitate independent reviews, peer reviews, and readiness assessments.
• Support gate decisions and incorporate resulting actions into project plans.

Transition to Execution

• Deliver a fully defined project package at Gate 2 suitable for transition into FEL 3 and execution.
• Ensure project scope, cost, schedule, risks, stakeholder alignment, and execution strategy are adequately developed before handoff.
• Support knowledge transfer to execution teams and maintain project continuity.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Experience in project engineering, process technology, or capital projects
• Working knowledge of front-end loading, project economics, estimating, scheduling, risk management, and project execution.
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or related field
• 10+ years of experience in chemical, petrochemical, catalyst, refining, specialty materials, or related process industries.
• Experience leading projects through multiple FEL phases.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex technical projects.
• Experience with business case development and capital authorization processes.
• Strong communication, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence decisions across organizations without direct authority.

To be considered for this position, candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer.

#LI-SK1

• Life Insurance and Disability
• Grace Wellness Program
• Flexible Workplace
• Retirement Plans
• 401(k) Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Company Donation Match Program

Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.