Operator, Mechanic

Celanese; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 48,009 - 71,235; Full time

Job summary

Celanese is seeking a Process Expert in Richmond, Virginia. Responsibilities include monitoring equipment, conducting safety patrols, and managing process standards for operational discipline. This role involves collaboration with Team Captains and maintenance teams to ensure the plant operates reliably.

Ideal candidates should possess a high school diploma, have industrial experience, and be able to work shifts and overtime as required. Celanese offers a starting pay of $34.85 with potential to earn up to $51.71 based on skill development.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of industrial/manufacturing experience.
• Willing to train in multiple process areas and do maintenance work.
• Willing and able to wear required PPE.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine area patrols to identify and address risks.
• Monitor operating conditions and adjust parameters as needed.
• Support Root Cause Analysis and troubleshooting.

Skills

Industrial/manufacturing experience

Ability to work in a rotating shift schedule

Troubleshooting skills

Communication skills

Education

High School diploma or GED equivalent

Associate degree or higher

Job description

Overview

The Process Expert is responsible for performing operations and maintenance tasks with the goal of safe and reliable process operations. The Process Expert monitors the equipment and process conditions, identifies problems early, and takes action to prevent safety incidents, quality issues, or production losses. When something doesn’t look right, the Process Expert investigates, adjusts the process if needed, and raises concerns quickly. Working closely with the Team Captain and other support teams, the Process Expert helps keep the plant running reliably while continuously looking for ways to improve how work is done.

$34.85 — starting pay rate

$51.71 — top pay, based on our tiered system tied to verified skill development

Responsibilities

The Process Expert delivers results through ownership of process standards, operational discipline, maintenance and technical rigor.

1. Safety, Quality, Reliability & Environmental

• Conduct routine area patrols to proactively identify and address process, equipment, or behavioral risks
• Stop unsafe acts and conditions immediately; initiate hazard recognition, preliminary and near‑miss reporting
• Execute work per operating procedures
• Issue safe work permits, manage LOTO, and support safe return to service
• Participate in emergency response and plant upset management

2. Process Monitoring & Control

• Monitor operating conditions via DCS, field instrumentation, and direct observation
• Adjust operating parameters within defined authority to maintain targets and in‑spec production
• Identify patterns, anomalies, and early warning signals in process behavior
• Collect process samples and interpret results to guide actions
• Execute startups, shutdowns, and transitions safely and effectively

3. Troubleshooting & Abnormal Situation Management

• Investigate deviations, alarms, and abnormal operations
• Apply structured troubleshooting and escalation when issues cannot be resolved locally
• Initiate shutdown or delay startup when conditions are not safe or reliable
• Support Root Cause Analysis (RCA), PHA, and MOC activities

4. Continuous Improvement & Learning

• Identify and generate improvement ideas to reduce losses and improve performance
• Provide input to and own SOPs, checklists, and operating standards
• Share lessons learned and best practices across shifts
• Continuously build process knowledge and technical capability
• Take initiative for self‑development and individual goal setting in alignment with site objectives

5. Partnership & Handover

• Execute disciplined shift turnover
• Escalate emerging risks early to the 24/7 Team Captain
• Collaborate closely with Team Captains, Technology Experts, Maintenance, and peers
• Provide technical input to enable effective decision‑making

Qualifications

Required

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Two or more years of industrial/manufacturing experience
• Willing and able to work a 12‑hr. rotating shift schedule
• Willing and able to work overtime, including holidays, weekends, and on short notice, call‑in as required
• Willing to train in multiple process areas as well as do maintenance work and perform administrative functions
• Willing and able to wear required PPE (personal protective equipment) such as steel‑toed boots, hardhat, protective eyewear, face shields, arc protective clothing, and SCBA (self‑contained breathing apparatus)
• Willing and able to climb up and down several flights of stairs several times per shift; able to lift 55 lbs.; work inside and outside for extended periods of time.

Preferred

• Associate degree or higher, or 48+ college credit hours, technical education
• Experience as an industrial electrician, millwright, pipe fitter, welder, or machinist
• Demonstrated experience/competency in any of the following: Engineering, Electrical, Instrumentation or Mechanical, Computer Applications, Accounting, Planning & Scheduling or Training & Development, Manufacturing Operations, Control Systems, ISO Systems or Basic Science

Celanese is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Celanese does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.