Process Development Engineer

Eastman; Fieldale (VA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Eastman is seeking a Process Development Engineer in Martinsville, VA to drive process development and scale-up for Window Films and Paint Protection Films. You will coordinate between R&D and manufacturing to advance coating/lamination and R2R processes, with focus on quality, safety, and cost reduction.

The role requires experience in coatings, radiation cured polymers, and web handling; strong communication and cross-functional collaboration are essential in our fast-paced, innovative team

Qualifications

• > Bachelor/Master of Science/Art in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, Optical, Physics or related discipline
• > 3+ years of experience in an R&D, Engineering and/or Operations
• > Familiar with Six Sigma methodology and Minitab and/or JMP
• > Experience with wet coating applications: Gravure and Slot Die
• > Ability to handle multiple assignments of varying complexity
• > Strong leadership and interpersonal skills for cross-functional improvements
• > Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving capabilities
• > Good communication and teamwork, able to interface with multiple departments
• > Willingness to work overtime and extended hours as needed

Responsibilities

• Participate in safety and Zero Incident Mindset programs.
• Identify safety concerns and implement corrective measures.
• Champion process capabilities and support project execution.
• Collaborate with R&D and manufacturing to improve quality and reduce cost.
• Scout external vendors and technologies; prepare capital project proposals.
• Modeling/theory development and application to final products.
• Support MOC and change management processes.
• Interface with project teams to translate needs into trial plans.
• Communicate results and recommendations to internal/external audiences.
• Document work with clear technical reports and timely delivery.
• Lead scale-up efforts for new products/processes to commercial scale.
• Provide technical and business assessments to guide management decisions.
• Oversee lab, pilot, and manufacturing scale-up activities.
• Advocate for appropriate scale-up facilities and capabilities.
• Represent Eastman in tolling opportunities for external manufacturing.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Team player

Self-starter

Flexibility

Education

B.S./M.S./D. in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, Optical, Physics or related

Tools

Microsoft Office

Six Sigma

Minitab/JMP

Gravure coating

Slot Die coating

Roll-to-roll (R2R) web technology

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, visitwww.eastman.com.

Description

This posting is for a Process Development Engineer in the Performance Films Technology Organization at Eastman Chemical Company located in Martinsville, VA. Individual will be primarily supporting automotive and architectural markets for Window Films and Paint Protection Films. The position will have responsibility as a liaison between R&D and manufacturing with a focus on process development, successful scale-up of new products adhering, sustaining Technology-Manufacturing Readiness protocol, and scouting new process innovation for Raw materials and Film converting technologies including Coating/Lamination and Winding/Slitting R2R processes.

Candidate must be flexible, proactive, and professional with experience in scale-up and process development applications such as coatings, pressure sensitive adhesive formulations, radiation cured polymeric coatings, and web handling. Candidate should be able to communicate effectively and function in an innovative, fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment

Responsibilities

• Actively participate in full compliance with the site’s Zero Incident Mindset Safety programs.
• Identify safety concerns and implement countermeasures to correct potential safety issues via engineering and administrative solutions
• Champion process capabilities and leverage technology boundaries to apply and help project execution.
• Identify areas of improvement on the manufacturing floor and collaborate with R&D scientists and manufacturing engineers to provide solutions with direct impact in quality and cost
• Scout external vendors and technologies and present recommendations fornew technologies implementation to management. Develop capital projects proposals (includes developing scope, conducting project safety reviews, and generating estimates)
• Building out modeling/theory and applying it going forward with final products.
• Participate in the improvement of operating and management of change process (MOC)
• Interface with Project managers and teams to clearly understand the needs to advance the project and meet the deliverables in Technology-Manufacturing Readiness Level and interpret into the trial plans by partnering with operations and other functional teams.
• Interface with the Quality and Manufacturing Departments to identify actions for quality improvement and implement root-cause analysis, statistical process control (SPC) and other quality and manufacturing initiatives.
• Communicate results, conclusions, and recommendations to internal and external audiences. Keeping others informed of your work (Project Reviews, etc.).
• Document work with clear, concise via technical reports and complete in a timely fashion.
• Develop strategies and lead teams to obtain the information necessary to successfully scale up new products and processes to commercial scale, either in existing assets or new design and build.
• Provide representation to select business area(s) for Scale-up and Process Innovation, understanding business and market needs regarding growth, new commercialization, scale-up capabilities, and needed process technology improvements.
• Provide technical and business assessments to guide management through decisions and choices in development and scale-up of new products/processes
• Provide scale-up project leadership, oversee lab, pilot, and manufacturing scale-up activities (direct oversight of lab work is not typically part of this job, but awareness and insight into the lab work of others on the team(s) is important).
• Engage with business and technical management to advocate for appropriate scale-up activities, facilities, and capabilities
• Represent Eastman with tolling opportunities where processes will be scaled and manufactured externally

Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master of Science/Art – Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, Optical, Physics or related discipline
• 3+ years of experience in an R&D, Engineering and/or Operations
• Computer Environment: Microsoft: Word, Excel, Power Point.
• Familiar with Six Sigma Methodology as well as Minitab and/or JMP
• Experience/familiar with wet coating application: Gravure and Slot Die
• Ability to handle multiple assignments of varying complexity
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills for implementation of cross-functional process improvements
• Strong background in analytical and quantitative skills for problem solving of large/complex problems and proven ability in decision making
• Familiar with roll-to-roll Web Technology a plus but not required
• Good written, listening, and verbal communication skills
• Be a team player in a team environment
• Be a self-starter and a self-motivator
• Can respond to call outs and flexibility to work overtime and extended hours during weekdays (including weekends and holidays if needed)
• Have a desire to make a measurable positive impact to plant performance and profitability
• Have a desire to obtain hands on experience in R&D and plant operating environments

The base salary range for this position is $92,000-126,000.

At Eastman, we are committed to transparency and integrity in our compensation practices. Eastman includes salary ranges in some job postings to provide clear compensation information and to be compliant with state laws that require disclosure. Not all postings display ranges due to factors like location, market conditions, or position specifics. Compensation is based on qualifications and experience. Candidates are encouraged to discuss their salary questions during the interview process.

Benefits

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 engaged workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.