Chemical Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.; Moscow (ID); On-site; USD 82,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Comprehensive benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. seeks a Chemical Engineer to support and advance chemical manufacturing processes for high‑reliability electronics.

You will work on the floor, in labs, and with operators to own, experiment, and improve processes that affect quality, throughput, safety, and performance. Ideal candidates are curious, data‑driven, and collaborative, turning observations into experiments and lasting improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience applying Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis to industrial processes.
• Experience with process validation and root cause analysis in manufacturing.
• Strong written and verbal communication for cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support and act as process owner for key chemical manufacturing processes.
• Develop, justify, implement, and sustain improvements to equipment, materials, and processes for safety, quality, yield, and efficiency.
• Design and execute experiments, analyze results, and apply statistical methods to identify root causes and drive improvements.
• Monitor process performance and analyze data to ensure safe, stable operation.
• Collaborate with operators, technicians, and cross-functional teams to implement sustainable solutions.
• Evaluate and qualify new equipment, materials, chemistries, and manufacturing technologies.
• Conduct R&D activities to support new process capabilities and long-term strategy.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, process specifications, and control plans.
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives from concept through implementation.

Skills

DOE

Statistics

Process Validation

Root Cause Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking a Chemical Engineer to support and improve the chemical manufacturing processes that enable the production of high-reliability printed circuit boards used in critical infrastructure around the world. This is not a traditional desk engineering role. As a Chemical Engineer at SEL, you will spend time on the manufacturing floor, in laboratories, and alongside operators, technicians, and engineers solving real-world problems. You will own processes, conduct experiments, analyze data, implement new technologies, and drive improvements that directly impact product quality, throughput, safety, and manufacturing performance.

We're looking for engineers who are naturally curious, energized by learning, and excited to tackle difficult technical challenges. The ideal candidate enjoys asking questions, digging into data, running experiments, and working collaboratively with others to create better solutions. If you enjoy turning observations into insights, ideas into experiments, and experiments into lasting improvements, we'd love to hear from you.

Career Development Opportunities

Own and improve advanced manufacturing processes used to produce high-reliability electronics. Gain hands-on experience with chemical processing, materials science, process control, automation, and manufacturing systems. Develop expertise in Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, process validation, and root cause analysis. Work directly with engineering, operations, quality, and manufacturing leaders to solve complex technical problems. Lead projects that directly impact manufacturing performance, product quality, and strategic business objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support and troubleshooting for multiple chemical manufacturing processes while serving as a process owner for one or more critical manufacturing processes.
• Develop, justify, implement, and sustain improvements to manufacturing equipment, materials, and processes that enhance safety, quality, yield, efficiency, and capacity.
• Design and execute experiments, analyze results, and apply statistical problem-solving techniques to identify root causes and drive process improvements.
• Monitor process performance and analyze manufacturing data to ensure safe, stable, and efficient operation.
• Partner with operators, technicians, and cross‑functional teams to solve manufacturing challenges and implement sustainable solutions.
• Evaluate and qualify new equipment, materials, chemistries, and manufacturing technologies.
• Conduct research and development activities that support new process capabilities and long‑term manufacturing strategy.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, process specifications, control plans, and engineering standards.
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Model and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
• Understand. Create. Simplify.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

An insatiable curiosity for how systems work and how they can be improved. A passion for solving complex technical problems using data and experimentation. Strong ownership mindset and accountability for results. Ability to balance technical rigor with practical manufacturing needs. Comfortable making decisions with imperfect information while remaining data-driven. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. Ability to build strong relationships with operators, technicians, engineers, and leaders. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Continuous learner who actively seeks opportunities for growth and development. Enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where every day presents new challenges. A strength as a nimble learner.

This job might be for you if you are a US Citizen and if you have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new concepts, technologies, and skills quickly.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and technical communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across functions, teams, and organizations.
• The knowledge of statistics and its application to process capability, process control, and experimental design.
• The ability to train and mentor both technical and non-technical personnel.
• The ability to work effectively within a team environment.
• Satisfactory background check results.
• Negative drug test result(s).

Preferred Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of materials, chemistries, and manufacturing processes used within the electronics industry.
• Experience in process development within a world-class manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading process improvement projects from concept through implementation.
• Experience conducting Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis.
• Experience with root cause analysis, process capability improvement, and process control systems.
• Experience supporting PCB manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, plating operations, chemical processing, or related industries.
• Project management experience.
• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Negative drug test result(s).

Location

Moscow, ID – This position is located in Moscow, ID, home to our state of the art Printed Circuit Board factory. Experience the charm of small-town living, with open spaces, no traffic jams, and easy access to outdoor adventures in the nearby mountains, rivers, and forests. Enjoy the benefits of excellent schools and universities, all while embracing a more relaxed pace of life.

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work. People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners.

We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees. We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options. We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay. We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs. Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range Data: $82,000-$122,900 annually - Associate Chemical Engineer $89,400 - $134,100 annually - Chemical Engineer We set starting pay based on job-related factors such as your experience, training, knowledge, and skills. Depending on your background, we may consider you for a different level, with compensation aligned accordingly.

Communication with Applicants

We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at [e-mail].

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled. SEL invents, designs, and builds digital products and systems that protect power grids around the world. This technology prevents blackouts and enables customers to improve power system reliability and safety at a reduced cost. A 100 percent employee‑owned company headquartered in Pullman, Washington, SEL has manufactured products in the United States since 1984 and now serves customers worldwide. Our mission is simple: to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical.