Director, Engineering

W.R. Grace & Co.; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; 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 seeks a Director of Engineering to provide global leadership for engineering strategy, capital project development, and technical governance across manufacturing platforms. The role oversees budgets, stage-gate processes, and major initiatives from concept through start-up, balancing strategic direction with hands-on technical excellence.

The preferred location is Columbia, MD, with consideration for Houston, TX.

Qualifications

• BS degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field.
• 20+ years of progressive engineering/manufacturing experience in chemicals, refining, catalysts, or industrial manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading major capital programs and strong process safety expertise.

Responsibilities

• Provide global engineering leadership for engineering, capital project development, and governance across manufacturing and growth platforms.
• Own and manage engineering budgets, forecasting, and cost control at organizational and project levels.
• Assemble and lead multidisciplinary teams from FEL through start-up and operation.
• Support M&A activities through engineering and operational due diligence and integration.

Skills

Leadership

Capital projects

Process safety

Cross-functional

Global experience

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelors in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

None

Job description

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Location: Columbia, MD, US, 21044 Houston, TX, US, 77002

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 Director of Engineering provides global leadership for engineering, capital project development, and technical governance across manufacturing and growth platforms. The role is accountable for engineering strategy, early-stage project development (FEL-0-2), standards, capital approval governance, and operational support, drawing on deep experience in process engineering, operations, and large-scale capital delivery. The position oversees worldwide engineering activities, manages significant capital budgets, and acts as a senior technical authority supporting strategic initiatives, M&A, and plant operations.

The preferred location for this role is Columbia, MD but candidates from Houston, TX will also be considered.

Engineering Leadership & Organization Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the central engineering organization through performance management, calibration, merit and bonus planning, and succession development.
• Assemble and lead multidisciplinary teams to develop and advance process concepts from FEL through start-up and operation.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to senior engineers and subject-matter experts.
• Drive engineering capability development aligned with long-term operational and growth needs.
  • Provide executive engineering leadership for major capital projects from concept through commissioning and start-up.
  • Administer the global capital approval and stage-gate process to ensure alignment of scope, cost, schedule, and risk.
  • Lead and support strategic initiatives including expansions, greenfield facilities, and major maintenance projects.
  • Serve as engineering design authority for complex or high-risk facilities.

Technical Governance & Standards

• Establish, maintain, and enforce engineering standards, design guides, and execution practices.
• Approve technical workflows, CARs, and gap analyses.
• Lead technical assurance reviews, design reviews, and governance boards.
• Ensure sound engineering principles are applied across development, scale-up, and operations.

Responsibilities (2 of 2)

Operations & Site Support

• Provide technical support to manufacturing sites to address safety, reliability, quality, and capacity challenges.
• Apply deep unit operations knowledge to process troubleshooting and optimization.
• Support EHS, compliance, and risk-reduction initiatives globally.
• Act as escalation point for complex operational and technical issues.

Financial & Governance Responsibilities

• Own and manage engineering budgets, forecasting, and cost control at organizational and project levels.
• Approve expenses, purchases, and capital expenditures within delegated authority.
• Support financial initiatives including R&D tax credit documentation and capital cost benchmarking.
• Present engineering scope, risk, and financial position at executive gate reviews.

External & Cross-Functional Engagement

• Select and govern relationships with third-party engineering and EPC firms globally.
• Support M&A activities through engineering and operational due diligence and integration.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations, EHS, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure alignment with business strategy.
• Represent engineering leadership in alliances and external technical forums.

Required Qualifications

• BS degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related degree.
• 20+ years of progressive engineering/manufacturing experience in chemicals, refining, catalysts, petrochemicals, specialty materials, or industrial manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading major capital programs
• Deep expertise in process safety management, process safety expertise, and manufacturing support.
• Travel up to 15%, including international travel

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Master of Engineering Management preferred
• Experience in process development, operations, and global engineering leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading major capital programs across multiple regions.
• GRACE unit operations experience.
• Proven ability to operate effectively at both strategic and hands-on technical levels.
• Experience building high-performing technical teams.
• Experience leading organizational change and transformation initiatives.
• Experience in Automation and Digital Transformation

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.

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• 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.