Director, Global Engineering

Quaker Houghton; Conshohocken (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work option

Health insurance

Pension plan

Holiday buy/sell

Volunteer leave (2 days)

QH University

Wellbeing & DEI focus

Job summary

Quaker Houghton, a global leader in industrial process and chemical engineering, seeks a Global Director of Engineering to drive strategy, operations, and collaboration across regions. This senior role requires steering complex programs, guiding R&D, and ensuring regulatory and safety compliance while advancing performance metrics.

You will lead a high-caliber team across locations, partnering with manufacturing, supply chain, and product teams to deliver innovative engineering solutions and

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–15 years of engineering leadership experience in chemical industry or analog sectors.
• Experience managing multi-site or international teams.
• Strong knowledge of chemical engineering processes, plant operations, and production technologies.
• Familiarity with automation, sustainability, and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive global engineering strategy across regions.
• Lead and mentor regional engineering teams and project managers.
• Oversee major engineering programs to ensure on-time delivery within budget and quality standards.
• Standardize engineering processes, tools, and best practices across the network.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Strategic leadership

Project management

Analytical thinking

Global perspective

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

MS/MBA/PhD preferred

Professional licensing (PE or equivalent) a plus

Job description

At Quaker Houghton, we make the essentials of everyday life possible and enable innovative approaches for a positive future. Our customers include the world’s most advanced and specialized automotive, steel, aluminum, aerospace, offshore, can and mining companies. Based in every corner of the world, our people are passionate about what we do.

About The Job

As the Global Director Engineering, a senior leadership role responsible Engineer Center of Excellence. This position integrates technical insight, strategic leadership, and operational management to drive innovation and align global engineering initiatives with corporate objectives. The role demands stewardship of complex engineering systems, adherence to regulatory standards, and cultivation of a high-performance, collaborative culture.

Key Responsibilities

• GlobalEngineeringStrategy:Developandexecuteacomprehensiveglobalengineeringstrategythatsupportsbusinessgrowth,productdevelopment,andoperationalefficiency in multiple regions.
• LeadershipandTeamDevelopment:Leadandmentorregionalengineeringteams,projectmanagers,andtechnicalspecialists.Fostercross-functionalcollaboration,talentdevelopment,andknowledgesharing.
• ProjectPortfolioOversight:Overseemajorengineeringprograms,ensuringprojectsaredeliveredontime,withinbudget,andmeetqualityandcompliancestandards.
• ProcessExcellence:Standardizeengineeringprocesses,tools,andbestpracticesacrossthe network with a focus on key platforms. Platforms include esterification optimization, system standardization (PCL, MES), and other critical elements drive continuousimprovements to better serve our customers.
• InnovationandTechnicalGuidance:Adviseoncomplexengineeringproblems,emergingtechnologies,andnewmethodologies.GuideR&Dandtechnicalimplementationtooptimizechemicalprocessesandproductperformance.
• Compliance,Safety,andRiskManagement:Ensureglobaladherencetoenvironmental,health,safety,andregulatorystandards.Leadriskassessmentsandmitigationstrategiesforengineeringoperations.
• StakeholderEngagement:Collaboratewithexecutiveleadership,manufacturing,supplychain,andproductteamstoalignengineeringactivitieswithcorporateobjectives,marketdemands,andcustomerneeds.
• ResourceandBudgetManagement:Manage the capital project process which includes all functions. Building a multi-year capital plan for critical platforms.

What do we offer?

• Remote working arrangement for better work-life balance
• Health insurance, pension plan and additional benefits
• Holiday buy/sell program
• 2 annual days of paid volunteering leave
• QH University: continuous learning and leadership development opportunities
• Strong focus on wellbeing, mental health, inclusion & DEI

What are we looking for?

• Education:Bachelor’sdegreeinChemical,Mechanical,orrelevantEngineeringfield;advanceddegrees(MS,MBA,orPhD)preferred.Professionallicensing(PEorequivalent)aplus.
• Experience:Minimum10–15yearsofengineeringleadershipexperienceinthechemicalindustryoranalogoussectors,includingmanagingmulti-siteorinternationalteams.
• TechnicalExpertise:Strongknowledgeofchemicalengineeringprocesses,plantoperations,processscale-up,andproductiontechnologies.Familiaritywithautomation,sustainability,andregulatoryframeworks.
• LeadershipSkills:Provenabilitytodevelophigh-performingteams,providementorship,anddriveorganizationaltransformation.
• ProjectManagement:Experiencemanaginglarge-scale,cross-borderprojectswithcomplextechnicalandregulatoryrequirements.
• AnalyticalandProblem-SolvingAbilities:Skilledatinterpretingtechnicaldata,troubleshooting,andmakingdata-drivendecisions.
• GlobalPerspective:Experiencenavigatingcross-culturalteams,internationalregulations,anddiverseoperationalenvironments.

Location

This position will be based on the corporate head quarters in Conshohocken.

Conclusion

TheGlobalEngineeringDirectorplaysastrategicandoperationallycriticalrolewithinaspecializedchemicalcompany,combiningtechnicalmastery,leadershipacumen,andglobalbusinesinsighttodrivesuccessfulengineeringoutcomesandfosterorganizationalexcellence.

Who are we?

We are a global leader in industrial process and mechanical engineering present in 40+ countries. We are continually improving and innovating so the world’s industrial manufacturers can stay ahead in a changing world. Throughout our 100+ locations, our engineers, chemists and industry experts partner with our customers to play a key role in helping them run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next.

Our values:

Live Safe, Exceed Customer Expectations, Drive Results, Embrace Diversity and Do Great Things Together.