Operations Support Engr. - Polyethylene

Shell; Monaca (Beaver County); On-site; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) plan

Pension plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Parental leave

Disability insurance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Shell Polymers Monaca is hiring an Operations Support Engineer to join the polyethylene team in Monaca, Pennsylvania. You will provide process engineering support to the Production Unit, monitor daily performance, and push for safe, reliable operations while driving 90-day production delivery.

The role emphasizes technical oversight, safety improvements and optimization of polyethylene processes, with relocation support for qualified candidates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required; chemical engineering preferred.
• 3+ years in refining/petrochemical industries with polyethylene experience is preferred.
• Experience with safety methodologies (PHA, LoPA) and MOC processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight of site process operations.
• Define and implement Safe Operating Limits and LOPA/PHAs.
• Lead process safety initiatives and monitor action items from PHA.
• Optimize units for energy use, cost and margin delivery; troubleshoot issues.

Skills

Polyethylene processing

Process safety

MOC (Management of Change)

Advanced troubleshooting

Spreadsheets

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Pennsylvania, United States of America Job Family Group: Production and Manufacturing Downstream Worker Type: Regular Posting Start Date: October 13, 2026 Business Unit: Downstream and Renewables Experience Level: Experienced Professionals

What’s the role Shell is looking for an Operations Support Engineer - Polyethylene to join our state-of-the-art Shell Polymers facility in Monaca, Pennsylvania, and help strengthen and expand our polyethylene operations capabilities. This role will provide process engineering support to the Production Unit, supporting delivery of the 90-day production plan. This includes proactive monitoring, optimization, troubleshooting and support of safe operations. If you are looking for career growth and development at a top energy company and are keen to expand on and share your knowledge of Polyethylene processing, this is a great opportunity for you to consider! Relocation support will be offered to the successful candidate for this opportunity if they are moving from another city/state; as per our Shell relocation guidelines.

More about our Facility:

In 2022, Shell completed construction of its 386-acre petrochemical complex in Potter Township, Beaver County – approximately 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. The feat was nearly a decade in the making, with more than four years of construction activity involving approximately 9,500 workers at peak construction. The plant, Shell Polymers Monaca, will produce an estimated 1.6 million tones of polyethylene pellets used by Shell's customers to create products that we see and use every day including – common household goods; consumer and food packaging; as well as industrial and utility products. Learn more about state of the art facility: Shell Polymers Plant | Shell United States.

Accountabilities:

• Provide technical oversight of the site’s process operations
• Define and implement Safe Operating Limits
• Perform technical assurance of changes (MOC – Management of Change)
• Lead Process Safety improvement initiatives
• Assure timely completion of assigned action items from Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
• Conduct proactive technical monitoring to support Operations in meeting targets for Safety, Environmental Compliance, Quality Assurance, Reliability, and Utilization. This includes proactively reading shift reports, participating in console review, and being prepared for the daily Production Unit meeting.
• Perform process unit optimization to improve energy usage, cost, and margin delivery
• Perform advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis

What you bring

• Must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required; Chemical Engineering is preferred but will also accept mechanical engineers with aptitude to learn the chemical engineering aspects of the role.
• Mechanical engineers with extruder and additive experience would also be highly considered
• At least 3 years relevant experience in refining/petrochemical industry
• Experience working with polyethylene processes and/or extrusion equipment is preferred
• Knowledge and application of safety methodology and reviews (Process Hazards Analysis, Layers of Protection Analysis), including safeguarding (relief valve scenario identification and rate calculation)
• Experience with plant changes and Management of Change process.
• Production experience with polyolefin reaction and extruder technology, polymer manufacturing, advanced process control recipe management, grade transition development, and quality performance analysis are a plus
• Must be proficient in the use of spreadsheets, computer and simulation models
• Ability to apply AI is a plus

What we offer

The base salary range for this position is $124,000 - $186,000 per year. Individual pay will be based on various factors, such as relevant work experience, education, certifications, skill level, seniority, and internal equity.

• For regular full-time or regular part-time employees of the Company (participating companies as listed in the Summary Plan Description), insurance coverage options include medical, dental, vision coverage, life Insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs
• Employees also participate in a company pension plan and a 401(k) plan
• Paid leave includes up to 6 weeks of paid vacation time, up to 11 paid holidays, and parental leave offering 16 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents, and 8 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents
• Additionally, employees are eligible for short-term disability leave for up to 26 weeks at 100% or 50% of base pay as well as Long-Term Disability insurance
• Shell also offers other compensation such financial reimbursement for adoption, wellness, education, and personal learning expenses, and some roles are eligible for discretionary long-term incentives
• For interns, eligible benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs; participation in a 401(k) plan; and paid leave for up to 11 paid holidays
• Additional information on Shell’s US benefit programs can be found at https://www.shell.us/careers/about-careers-at-shell/rewards-and-benefits.html

You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another. You’ll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself. Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase – our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world. Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents Join an organization working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams Gain access to a wide range of training and development programs. If you need an accommodation for a disability during the resourcing process, please speak with an HR representative.

Shell in The United States

With more than 11,000 employees, Shell has been in the US for more than 100 years and is delivering secure energy supplies across America. From producing a reliable supply of oil and gas in the US Gulf of America to biofuels, our retail sites and EV charging network, to marketing and trading electricity generated by gas plants, solar and wind power, we are one of the few countries where every Shell business is represented. We are working with our customers to deliver the energy the world needs today and building the energy systems of tomorrow, all while creating value for society and shareholders.

Shell participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws. Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disability. As a US Federal Contractor, hiring selections are subject to periodic audit review and documentation of your selections should be maintained for a period of three calendar years. It is the policy of Shell in the U.S. ('Shell') to provide equal opportunity to all individuals, employees and all qualified applicants for employment consistent with employment requirements and qualifications. Shell prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status under federal, state or local laws. All employees are expected to support this policy and contribute to an environment of equal opportunity. If you need an accommodation for a disability during the resourcing process, please speak with an HR representative.

You can be a part of the future of energy. Together at Shell, we are transitioning to become a net-zero emissions business while providing the energy that people around the world need today. Working with experienced colleagues, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills, in an environment where we value honesty, integrity and respect for one another. At Shell, you progress as we tackle the energy challenge together. #PowerYourProgress Visit our careers site Shell has a bold goal: to become one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies, a place where everyone – from our employees to our customers, partners and suppliers – feels valued, respected, and has a strong sense of belonging. Find out more about DE&I at Shell. Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies, employing 96,000 people across more than 70 countries. Whether they work on our platforms and pipelines, or in our offices and research labs, people are key to our success. They collectively determine our culture and we expect them to behave according to our values: honesty, integrity, and respect for people. Learn more about our purpose and strategy 'If you need any assistance or support while applying for a job, please contact us at [e-mail]'.