Process Engineer

Detrex Corporation; Ashtabula (OH); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Life and Disability Insurance

Career growth

Job summary

Italmatch USA Corporation is seeking a Process Engineer to provide hands-on support for a chemical plant producing HCl and lubricant additives. You will design, modify, and troubleshoot processing facilities, gather data, and drive improvements while coordinating with operations, maintenance, and quality teams.

The role emphasizes safety, process safety reviews, and the management of capital projects from concept through startup, with opportunities to work on new equipment and production trials

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related field.
• 7–10 years of hand-on process engineering experience at the plant level.
• Experience in capital expenditure projects, plant design, build out, and optimization of chemical or advanced materials technologies.
• Experience with programming and troubleshooting PLCs.
• Knowledge of SAP.
• Written and verbal fluency in English.

Responsibilities

• Leads with a zero-incident mindset and supports site PSM, quality, and security initiatives.
• Troubleshoots day-to-day production line issues and analyzes process data.
• Applies thermodynamics, heat and material balances, and fluid flow concepts to troubleshoot and design equipment.
• Performs feasibility studies for technology transfers and new product introductions.
• Assesses equipment capabilities, capital requirements, and safety/environmental considerations.
• Investigates out-of-spec material/batches and implements corrective actions.
• Prepares flow diagrams, P&IDs, and equipment/control specifications.
• Develops process calculations, standards, and relief sizing.
• Manages small capital projects from justification to startup and performance reporting.
• Assists with installation, commissioning, and start-up of new equipment.
• Participates in process hazard analysis and safety reviews.

Skills

English fluency

PLC programming

SAP

MS Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering

Tools

PLC programming

SAP

Job description

Description

About Italmatch

Italmatch USA Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets specialty chemicals throughout North America and globally as part of the Italmatch Chemicals Group. We are committed to innovation, operational excellence, safety, and sustainability.

Position Summary

The Process Engineer will provide technical expertise and day-to-day engineering support to the chemical operations of a plant producing HCl and lubricant performance additives. This will include interaction with the operations, warehouse, and maintenance employees, as well as designing and modifying existing and new facilities, gathering and analyzing data, troubleshooting problems and identifying root causes, presenting conceptual solutions and detailed engineering, determining equipment sizing, and recommending and implementing process improvements. The incumbent will be part of the team commissioning new equipment and managing production trials.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads with a zero-incident mindset, and supports site PSM, quality, and security initiatives.
• Responsible for day-to-day troubleshooting associated with production lines.
• Uses engineering principles (thermodynamics, heat and material balances, fluid flow/hydraulic, etc.) to troubleshoot process problems and design new equipment.
• Performs feasibility studies for technology transfers and new product introduction.
• Evaluates current equipment capabilities, capital requirements, and health, safety, and environmental issues.
• Analyzes quality for production lines, examining process data and critical parameters. Works toward establishing in-control processes, identifying areas of variation (raw materials, process, or quality analysis), and applying measures to reduce such variations.
• Investigates out-of-specification material and/or batches. Identifies root cause, reports findings, and implements corrective actions.
• Prepares flow diagrams, P&IDs, and equipment and control specifications.
• Develops and maintains process engineering calculations and standards (relief valve sizing, line sizing, application of margin, etc.).
• Develops and takes ownership of key process philosophies (relief and blowdown, isolation for maintenance, emergency isolation, operation, controls, sparing and training, etc.).
• Develops, modifies, and troubleshoots programmable logic controller (PLC) programs using ladder logic, function block diagrams, or structured text to control various industrial processes and equipment.
• Manages small capital projects. Determines justification, scope definition, safety reviews, punch-list items. Coordinates implementation, startup, commissioning, and performance reporting.
• Assists with installation, commissioning, and start-up of new equipment.
• Leads and follows the management of chance process. Participates in process hazard analysis and process safety start-up reviews.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field.
• 7-10 years of hand-on process engineering experience at the plant level, preferably supporting production processes within the chemical or specialty chemicals industry.
• Experience in capital expenditure projects, plant design, build out, and optimization of chemical or advanced materials technologies.
• Experience with programming and troubleshooting PLCs. Knowledge of communication networks, motor controls, instruments, and valves.
• Skilled user of MS office tools including Word, EXCEL, Outlook, Project.
• Familiarity with SAP.
• Written and verbal fluency in English.

Working Conditions

• Requires work in a chemical manufacturing plant using potentially hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals and equipment.
• Capable of wearing task specific personal protective equipment which may include dust mask, air purifying respirator (i.e., half and/or full faced), safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection.
• Capable of meeting OSHA standards for manual lifting guidelines: < 50lbs
• Able to use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch when necessary for job activity.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods.
• Able to work in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.

Why Join Italmatch?

• Competitive salary and incentive opportunity
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Company-paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Career growth with a global specialty chemicals leader

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are Equal Opportunity Employers. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.