Industrial Process Modeling, Optimization & AI Engineer

Roquette; Midland (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Roquette seeks an Operations AI & Advanced Analytics Engineer to partner with manufacturing sites, applying advanced analytics, modeling, and AI to improve safety, quality, reliability, and productivity across a manufacturing network.

The role blends strong engineering with digital solution development, including first-principles and AI/ML methods, dashboards, and decision-support systems. Strong communication across sites is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline).
• Advanced analytics and data science experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years in manufacturing, analytics, or related industrial environment.
• Experience deploying AI solutions or digital applications addressing operational challenges.
• Cross-site collaboration across locations.

Responsibilities

• Partner with manufacturing sites and Operations teams to identify opportunities for AI, analytics, simulation, and optimization.
• Translate operational challenges into technical requirements and measurable success criteria.
• Lead diagnostics and root-cause investigations with process experts and engineers.
• Develop, maintain, and validate statistical, simulation, first-principles, and hybrid models.
• Design, test, deploy, and support ML and analytics solutions for prediction and optimization.
• Build AI-enabled dashboards and digital solutions to improve performance.
• Monitor model performance and drive continuous improvement in accuracy and impact.
• Provide technical leadership in AI, analytics, modeling, and digital solution development.

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering

Advanced analytics / data science certifications (preferred)

Job description

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients.

Want to help us make a difference?

Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients.

Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles.

We are seeking a Chemical, Mechanical, or similarly experienced Engineer to join our global Operations Data & Advanced Analytics team. This role is ideal for an engineer who combines strong manufacturing and process knowledge with expertise in advanced analytics, modeling, optimization, and AI.

As an Operations AI & Advanced Analytics Engineer, you will work directly with manufacturing sites to solve real operational challenges, identifying opportunities to improve safety, quality, reliability, productivity, capacity, cost, and sustainability. You will develop, deploy, and sustain a range of solutions, including first-principles and statistical models, optimization tools, AI/ML applications, and digital decision-support systems.

This is not a traditional data scientist role. Success requires a strong engineering and operations background, along with the ability to apply advanced analytics and AI to deliver measurable improvements across a manufacturing network.

Location

This position may be located at any of the following locations: Midland, MI; Plaquemine, LA; Wilmington, DE; Institute, WV; Keokuk, IA; Gurnee, IL; Newark, DE

Compensation

The current salary range for this role is estimated to be $100,000-150,000. In addition, this position may also be eligible to earn performance-based incentive compensation. The posted range reflects the full salary range for the position and does not necessarily represent the expected starting salary. Offers are generally made below the maximum of the range after review of several factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and other job-related considerations.

What You'll Do

• Partner with manufacturing sites and Operations teams to identify, assess, and prioritize opportunities for AI, advanced analytics, simulation, and optimization.
• Translate operational business challenges into technical requirements, analytical approaches, and measurable success criteria.
• Lead diagnostics and root-cause investigations with process experts, engineers, and operational stakeholders.
• Develop, maintain, and validate statistical, simulation, first-principles, and hybrid process models.
• Design, test, deploy, and support machine learning and advanced analytics solutions for prediction, anomaly detection, process optimization, and decision support.
• Build AI-enabled applications, dashboards, user interfaces, and integrated digital solutions to improve operational performance.
• Monitor model performance and continuously improve accuracy, reliability, and business impact.
• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise in AI, analytics, modeling, and digital solution development across Operations.
• Mentor engineers and analysts while promoting best practices, reusable solutions, and technical capability development.
• Lead technical workstreams and ensure compliance with cybersecurity, technology governance, data quality, EHS, and regulatory requirements.

What You'll Need

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering preferred. Computer Science, Data Science, or a related technical discipline may be considered.
• Advanced analytics, data science, digital transformation, Lean Six Sigma, or related certifications preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, analytics, modeling, digital transformation, or a related industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and deploying advanced analytical models, AI solutions, or digital applications that address operational challenges.
• Experience collaborating across sites, functions, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with process improvement, optimization, and operational problem-solving in manufacturing environments preferred.
• Combination of office-based and manufacturing/plant environments.
• Regular collaboration with site personnel, engineering teams, digital specialists, and operational stakeholders across multiple locations.

Physical Demands

• Standard office and industrial manufacturing environment requirements.
• May require standing, walking through production areas, climbing stairs, and use of required PPE while visiting manufacturing facilities.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

• This is a full-time position.
• Business hours with flexibility as required to support operational priorities and project delivery.

Business Travel

• Business travel required to support manufacturing sites, cross-functional collaboration, and deploying solutions at manufacturing sites. 5 - 10% Travel with periodic increases during major deployments.

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Roquette is unable to support relocation for this role. Candidates must be located within a commutable distance of the office to which this role is aligned.

AAP/EEO Statement

Roquette is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. “AAP, EEO, Drug-Free Workplace.”

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Roquette is proud to be a global company where you can find personal and professional growth through multiple diverse experiences.

Roquette strives to create a dynamic workforce while remaining firmly committed to equal opportunity by complying with EEO laws.

As we continue to grow, Roquette understands that to be successful we must always be inclusive in our approach.

To find out more about our products, values and sustainable development ambitions visit us at www.roquette.com and at www.sustainability.roquette.com