Plastics Processing Development Engineer

Eastman Industrial Supply, Inc.; Kingsport (TN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Health Savings Account

Life insurance

Critical illness protection

401(k) with company match

Additional retirement contribution

Paid holidays

Personal day

Paid time off

Paid vacation

Mentorship

Leadership programs

Learning resources

Job summary

Eastman Chemical Company seeks a Development Engineer for the Mixed Plastics Processing (MPP) group. You will own process development, qualify new feedstocks, and support technology scale-up from lab to production. Close work with procurement and manufacturing ensures safe handling and efficient processing into Methanolysis.

You will lead experiments, manage trials, and drive capital-project scopes with external and internal partners, contributing to a circular materials strategy.

Qualifications

• Mechanical Engineering degree preferred; other engineering degrees considered.
• 2+ years of experience required; 1+ years manufacturing support preferred.
• Strong project management and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and drive challenging projects amid uncertainty.
• Comfortable presenting to external parties and engaging with suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Qualify feedstocks through 3rd party processing and Eastman equipment.
• Collaborate with manufacturing on qualification trials and train operations staff.
• Drive improvement or technology demonstration projects with internal stakeholders.
• Serve as point of contact for sourcing and supplier questions.
• Own experiments and trials on manufacturing assets; manage timelines.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Project management

Communication skills

Self-starter

Decision making

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Other engineering degree considered

Job description

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com .

Description

Our experts are pioneering the shift to circular materials. Right. Now. We’re revolutionizing our materials to give them an infinite life and richer purpose using our two Advanced Circular Recycling technologies—carbon renewal and polyester renewal. This takes passionate problem-solving, world-class technologies, and a willingness to advocate for smart legislation.

The time to act—and advocate—is now. Our goal is to transform tomorrow by revolutionizing the materials that shape it today.

Help us create a more circular economy.

This position is for a development engineer reporting to the GL of Mixed Plastics Processing (MPP) Development. This position is an owner of process development for MPP and is responsible for qualifying new feedstocks and technologies, supporting process growth and stewardship. This person will work closely with procurement to understand the market and qualify new materials. In addition, they will work very closely with manufacturing to ensure feedstocks can be handled safely and processed efficiently into the Methanolysis process.

Responsibilities

• Qualification of feedstocks through 3rd party processing and through Eastman equipment
• Close partnership with manufacturing on qualification trials and training of operations personnel on new or existing best practices
• Partnering with internal stakeholders to drive improvement or technology demonstration projects
• Point of contact for sourcing to partner with on questions from suppliers
• Ownership and management of experiments and trials on manufacturing assets
• Work with feedstock technical leaders to understand and implement new screening protocols
• Identify opportunities and improve processes to enable robustness of Eastman assets and any pre-processing operations
• Justifying, scoping, project management, and execution management for Capital Projects
• Awareness of external technologies and capabilities to enable broader feedstock portfolio
• Manage trials of new technologies at 3rd party facilities

Note:

Eastman will not accept applicants for this offered position who require visa sponsorship,including those whose status is F-1 visa OPT who subsequently would require ongoing visa sponsorship.

Qualifications

• Mechanical Engineering degree highly preferred; other engineer degrees will be considered
• 1+ years of direct manufacturing support preferred
• 2+ years of experience required
• Ability to make decisions with limited information
• Demonstrated project management skills
• High level of adaptability
• Comfortable with giving external presentations
• Ability to engage with external parties, suppliers, customers, etc.
• Must be a self-starter with a focus on results. Ability to lead and drive challenging projects forward despite uncertainties
• Confident in working within a matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders
• Comfortable challenging peers and supervision to develop creative solutions
• Excellent written, listening, and verbal communication skills

Your total rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. When you join Eastman, you gain access to an exceptional suite of programs designed to protect your health, grow your wealth, and fuel your career.

Compensation & Incentives

• Base pay plus performance-based incentive opportunities that let you share in our success.

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, prescription-drug, and dental coverage—paired with a Health Savings Account option to help you save tax-free dollars for care today or in the future.
• A robust menu of voluntary benefits—including vision, optional life, critical-illness protection, and more—so you can tailor coverage to fit your life.
• Holistic wellness support: financial-planning tools, family-building assistance (adoption, pregnancy, and fertility resources), parental leave, and confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling.

Retirement & Financial Strategies

• 401(k) with a company match—plus an additional annual retirement contribution from Eastman to accelerate your long-term savings.

Time Away

• Eleven paid holidays, one personal day, paid time off, and paid vacation to recharge, celebrate, or handle life’s moments.

Growth & Development

• Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs that empower you to thrive in your current role and chart the next steps in your career.

At Eastman, we invest in the whole you—so you can bring your best self to work every day and build a future you’re proud of.

Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.

Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully engagedworkplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.

Nearest Major Market: Asheville
Nearest Secondary Market: Knoxville