Field Engineer Rotational Program

Axalta; Front Royal (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Axalta invites high‑potential students to join its six‑year Field Engineer program, with three two‑year rotations across multiple sites including Front Royal, Mount Clemens, and others. The goal is to scale up coating processes, improve manufacturing, and develop technical leadership from lab to plant scale.

Participants gain hands‑on exposure, work with R&D formulators, and support lean manufacturing initiatives while relocating between sites to broaden experience and grow professionally within

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely‑related major, graduation by Spring / Summer 2027.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer without visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Willing and able to relocate for three consecutive two‑year rotations at different Axalta sites.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Strong multitasking and time management abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Experienced in design of experimentation and statistical data analysis.
• Experience with programming languages (e.g., Python) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Become a technical resource and interface between teams to support projects in Operations and Technology.
• Collaborate with R&D formulators to scale up and align products for manufacturing.
• Support and troubleshoot plant process and quality issues through participation in manufacturing forums.
• Engage regularly with business and operations personnel across Axalta.
• Act as a key contact for teams focused on quality, change management, and other initiatives.
• Drive process optimization by generating ideas, conducting lab and pilot experiments, and implementing improvements at plant scale.
• Lead technicians, manage workflow and deadlines, and promote safe work practices aligned with Axalta’s core values.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Python

Time management

Multitasking

Problem solving

Design of experiments

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Python

Job description

Are you a driven and innovative college student looking to jumpstart your career with a global leader in coatings technology? Axalta, a company renowned for its cutting-edge products and commitment to sustainability, is searching for talented individuals like you to join our Fast Track Early Talent Program. At Axalta, you’ll have the opportunity to work on impactful projects, gain hands‑on experience, and collaborate with industry experts. Whether you’re studying engineering, chemistry, business, or a related field, we offer diverse roles that can help you grow and shape the future of coatings. Want to ensure your career is firing on all cylinders? Join us and be part of a vibrant company where your ideas and contributions truly make a difference.

Role Summary

Axalta is seeking Field Engineers to join its Process Technology team as part of a structured, multi‑location rotational program spanning six years. These individuals will play a key role in supporting the scale‑up and alignment of coating technologies that drive Axalta’s growth and lean manufacturing initiatives. The primary responsibility of this position is to advance fundamental understanding and execution of the scale‑up and alignment processes in support of Axalta’s growth and lean manufacturing initiatives. This position also has the responsibility to develop or improve coating process technologies and formulations. The focus will be on resins, dispersions, paint, coatings, finished product scale‑up, manufacturing support, and overall process improvement. This includes the use of various measurement techniques to quantify paint properties and understanding the relationship between key product attributes and critical process factors from the laboratory to the commercial scale.

Locations

The Field Engineer Program is a dynamic, career‑building opportunity designed to provide broad exposure across our operations. Participants will complete three distinct 24‑month rotations, each at a different Axalta site, for a total of six years of immersive, hands‑on experience.

Participants will complete two developmental rotations followed by a final placement at a third site, which becomes their long‑term, full‑time location.

Throughout the program, Field Engineers will rotate through three unique locations from the following list:

• Mount Clemens, MI
• Front Royal, VA
• High Point, NC
• Fort Madison, IA
• Houston, TX
• Huntsville, AL

Relocate for each rotation, gaining diverse perspectives and building a strong foundation in technical and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Become a technical resource and interface between teams to support projects in Operations and Technology.
• Collaborate with R&D formulators to scale up and align products for manufacturing.
• Support and troubleshoot plant process and quality issues through participation in manufacturing forums.
• Engage regularly with business and operations personnel across Axalta.
• Act as a key contact for teams focused on quality, change management, and other initiatives.
• Drive process optimization by generating ideas, conducting lab and pilot experiments, and implementing improvements at plant scale.
• Lead technicians, manage workflow and deadlines, and promote safe work practices aligned with Axalta’s core values.

Basic Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a closely‑related major, graduation by Spring / Summer 2027.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer without need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Willing and able to relocate for three consecutive two-year rotations at different Axalta sites.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Strong multitasking and time management abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Established problem‑solving and analytical thinking.
• Familiarity with design of experimentation and statistical data analysis.
• Experience with programming languages (e.g., Python) preferred.
• Alignment with Axalta’s values of integrity, critical thinking, effort, and efficiency.

Key Behavioral Competencies

• Proven ability to drive change and build strategic relationships with stakeholders.
• Action‑oriented with a strong focus on results.
• Solid business acumen and decision‑making skills.
• Able to distill complex information into clear executive summaries.
• Strong organizational and relationship management skills.
• Self‑directed with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively.
• Skilled at balancing competing needs in a matrixed environment.
• Excellent communicator across teams, functions, and geographies.
• Influences others positively and delivers on multiple projects.
• Working knowledge of project management principles.

Our Company

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever‑evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles. Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia‑Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140+ countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.

Axalta may use technology‑assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support certain aspects of the recruitment and selection process. These tools may be used to help manage applications, identify job‑related qualifications, and assist recruiter review. All hiring decisions involve human oversight and review.

We consider an individual’s qualifications, skillset, and experience to determine final salary. This role is eligible for benefits such as health insurance and paid time off. The actual offer will be at the company’s sole discretion and determined by relevant business considerations, including the final candidate’s qualifications, years of experience, skillset, and geographic location.

Axalta is a global coatings company focused on providing customers with innovative, colorful and sustainable solutions. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, Axalta continues to find ways to serve more than 100,000 customers with the finest coatings, application systems and technology.