Plant Chemist

Ingevity; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ingevity in North Charleston, SC is seeking a Plant Chemist, Pilot Plant to own the chemical pilot plant and drive scale-up from R&D to production. You will collaborate with R&D, Operations, and Engineering to advance development projects and deliver innovative process solutions.

The role requires hands-on experience in pilot plant operations, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to safety, reliability, and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Chemistry or related technical field.
• Strong mechanical aptitude to diagnose equipment issues.
• Experience with pilot plant operations or chemical processing preferred.
• Ability to manage projects and technical assignments.
• Experience with FTIR, moisture analysis, and titration preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong documentation habits.
• Physically capable of lifting up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Support the scale-up of new products and processes in Charleston Pilot Plant.
• Own and operate the pilot plant, producing materials for evaluations.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute pilot plant trials with cross-functional teams.
• Monitor pilot plant performance, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements for safety and efficiency.
• Identify equipment needs and support maintenance/upgrades.
• Develop understanding of process scale-up bridging lab to full-scale manufacturing.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate process data to support decisions.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations and Engineering as a key technical resource.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Process troubleshooting

Analytical instrumentation

Documentation

Communication skills

Project management

Team collaboration

MS Office

Safety awareness

Physical ability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

FTIR

Moisture analysis

Auto titration

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

Job Family Group:

Sales and Business Development

Are you ready to do something remarkable? Ready to collaborate with an incredible team to solve problems that improve people's lives? Meet Ingevity.

At Ingevity, we develop innovations that purify, protect and enhance the world around us. Our products enable oil to flow better, crops to grow fuller, roads to last longer and ensure that the air we all breathe is cleaner.

Our people come from all different backgrounds and help reimagine new possibilities daily. We understand there is no challenge too big and no contribution too small. We seek out new ideas for tackling complex problems and celebrate achieving the improbable. We value each person's unique talents and synergize them to create meaningful impact and sustainable solutions for our customers and our world.

Bold. Energetic. Ingenious. Genuine. If these qualities describe you, we'd love for you to join Ingevity!

The Plant Chemist, Pilot Plant will take ownership of the Innovation Center chemical pilot plant, coordinating and executing pilot plant batches that support the successful scale-up of new technologies from R&D to commercial production at the North Charleston Plant. As a key member of the Plant Technical Team, this individual will leverage their technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and hands‑on experience to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and full‑scale manufacturing. Working closely with R&D, Operations, and Engineering, they will play a critical role in advancing development projects, optimizing processes, and delivering innovative solutions that drive business success.

How You Will Impact Ingevity

• Support the scale‑up of new products and processes from laboratory development to commercial manufacturing using the Charleston Pilot Plant.

• Own and operate the pilot plant, producing materials for customer evaluations and supporting the commercialization of new technologies and products.

• Plan, coordinate, and execute pilot plant trials in partnership with Product Development, Plant Technical, Operations, and Commercial teams.

• Monitor pilot plant performance, troubleshoot process and equipment issues, and implement improvements to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency.

• Identify equipment needs, support maintenance activities, and recommend upgrades that expand pilot plant capabilities.

• Develop an understanding of process scale‑up principles and apply them to bridge laboratory development and full‑scale manufacturing.

• Collect, analyze, and communicate process data and trial results to support technical decision‑making and process optimization.

• Work as part of a highly collaborative and respected technical team that supports multiple business groups and serves as a key resource for innovation and manufacturing excellence.

What You Need to Succeed

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline preferred. Relevant industrial experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose equipment issues, troubleshoot process upsets, and coordinate corrective actions to support safe and reliable pilot plant operations.

• Exposure to manufacturing, pilot plant operations, laboratory environments, or chemical processing through coursework, internships, co‑ops, or industry experience preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, coursework, research, internships or other technical assignments.

• Experience with analytical instrumentation and quality testing techniques, including FTIR, moisture analysis, and auto titration, preferred.

• High attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate documentation and records.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Self‑motivated with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and initiative.

• Team‑oriented mindset with the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and priorities.

• Ability to safely lift and handle materials weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• This role is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. The successful candidate must not now, or in the future, require sponsorship to work in the United States.

Ingevity is a company made up of extraordinary people of every race, religion and background, all worthy of the same dignity. Our differences are one of our great strengths. Join us in building a culture of increasing diversity and respect - a culture where everyone belongs.

Ingevity is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.