Chemical Production Engineer at Celanese Narrows, VA

Downtown Boulder Partnership; Narrows (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Celanese in Narrows, VA is seeking a Chemical Production Engineer for the Critical Resource Unit to advance SQRE—Safety, Quality, Reliability & Engagement. You will monitor processes, support environmental compliance, and drive continuous improvement in core operations.

Key duties include safeguarding process safety, leading root cause analysis, coordinating with 24/7 teams, and ensuring materials and equipment meet performance goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering field is required or equivalent.
• 2+ years of experience in a chemical manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Experience with unit operations such as distillation, extraction and cracking is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Continuously monitors process, product and equipment to detect issues and improve performance.
• Lead environmental compliance and safety-related activities, including hazard recognition and pre-startup reviews.
• Define and track alarm performance; manage Change control and deviation documentation.
• Support raw material quality, supplier interactions, and product quality to keep in-spec results.
• Track performance metrics, engage with 24/7 teams, and communicate operating parameters.
• Coordinate equipment repairs and root-cause analyses; ensure timely material delivery.
• Collaborate with outside units to share best practices and support continuous improvements.

Skills

Process monitoring

Hazard recognition

Root Cause Analysis

Operations support

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Job description

Chemical Production Engineer job at Celanese. Narrows, VA.

The Chemical Production Engineer for the Critical Resource Unit (CRU) in the Acid Recovery, Anhydride Manufacturing, and Wastewater Treatment Units in Narrows, VA is focused on Stewardship, Quality, Reliability & Engagement (SQRE). This position plays a pivotal role in ensuring safety, reliability, and overall plant performance.

Responsibilities

Stewardship

• Continuously monitors process, product and equipment to detect and anticipate emerging issues
• Field walkthroughs for hazard recognition, housekeeping, Pre-Startup Safety Reviews, Deviation documentation, etc.
• Define, update and track alarm performance and change where needed
• Responsible for environmental compliance (monitor and escalate)
• Initiates process safety bypasses and develops mitigation plans when needed
• Management of Change system owner for Core
• Responsible for reviewing weekly work plans and developing deviation

Quality

• Engages with unit team and 24/7 Team to identify quality issues with any raw materials and chemicals that need to be addressed with the suppliers
• Monitors product quality parameters and takes action as needed to keep product in spec

Production/Reliability

• Tracks Core performance, losses, Raw Material efficiency and energy usage
• Engage with 24/7 Team to identify and remove daily execution barriers
• Establish and communicate operating parameters for the 24/7 Team
• Ensures supplies and raw materials are ordered and delivered as needed to meet unit objectives
• Ensures proper application of Root Cause Analysis process and corrective action plans
• Plan, establish, and communicate priority for equipment repairs
• Communicates issues or barriers with production schedule

Engagement – people motivated to do their best

• Communicate with outside units to share best practices
• Supports 24/7 team as Subject Matter Expert by developing tools for operations team to improve performance

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering degree
• 2+ year experience working in a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Unit operations experience including distillation, extraction and cracking is preferred.