Process Engineer

Avantor, Inc.; Phillipsburg (NJ); On-site; USD 78,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor, Inc. in Phillipsburg, NJ is seeking a Process Engineer to lead manufacturing technology, scale-up processes, and provide daily technical support across production lines producing high-purity salts, acids and solvents.

You will collaborate with operations, maintenance, quality and EHS teams to optimize unit operations, ensure safety and cGMP compliance, and drive continuous improvement through CAPA, PHAs and MOC reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering or related field required.
• Minimum of five years' related experience required.
• Minimum of two years in a chemical manufacturing environment required.
• Hands-on experience with PSM, OSHA regulations, and/or cGMP environments.
• Strong knowledge of high-purity chemical processing.

Responsibilities

• Optimize and troubleshoot chemical processing equipment and yields.
• Drive CAPA investigations for out-of-spec events and implement actions.
• Ensure OSHA PSM and cGMP compliance and participate in PHAs/HAZOPs.
• Design and manage capital improvement projects from concept to commissioning.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, batch records, and technical docs.

Skills

Chemical engineering

Process safety management

cGMP compliance

Industrial manufacturing

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

P&ID development

CAPA documentation

Batch records

Job description

The Opportunity: The Process Engineer is accountable for providing engineering leadership and technical support to Avantor operations directly supporting manufacturing, product development and customer support. The Process Engineer leads manufacturing technology product and process development, scale up and implementation. This position will be located onsite: Phillipsburg, NJ.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a detail-driven and safety-focused Process Engineer to join our specialty chemical manufacturing facility. In this role, you will provide daily technical support, optimize unit operations, and drive continuous improvement across our production lines, which specialize in the synthesis of cGMP salts, and purification and packaging of high-purity acids and solvents. You will work closely with operations, maintenance, quality, and EHS teams to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant batch and continuous manufacturing operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Process Optimization & Troubleshooting: Monitor daily plant performance, troubleshoot chemical processing issues, and resolve equipment or yield bottlenecks involving reactors, crystallizers, centrifuges, dryers, distillation units, etc.
• Quality Improvement: Investigate non-conformances due to out of specification (OOS) events or other quality-related events; and implement and document corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
• Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Champion plant safety by participating in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies, Management of Change (MOC) reviews, and ensuring strict adherence to OSHA PSM (Process Safety Management) and cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) guidelines.
• Capital Projects: Design, scope, and manage capital improvement projects from conception to commissioning, including developing P&IDs, equipment specifications, and operating procedures.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Write, review, and maintain technical documentation, batch records, and SOPs for chemical handling and processing operations.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field required
• Minimum of five (5) years of related experience required
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a chemical manufacturing environment required
• Hands‑on experience with Process Safety Management (PSM), OSHA regulations, and/or cGMP compliance environments.
• Strong working knowledge of chemistry and high purity chemical processing/engineering.
• Experience working in salts synesis or liquid purification preferred.
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities, strong cross‑functional communication skills, and a proactive, safety‑first mindset.
• Demonstrated application of SPC tools and implementation.
• Experience working in a FDA regulated, cGMP manufacturing environment preferred.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS/SCOPE

The Process Engineer reports directly to the site Engineering Manager. He/she interfaces with both management and union personnel from various levels. The Process Engineer works closely with manufacturing, understanding the processes and the cause-and effect-relationship of the manufacturing cycle.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment is a manufacturing facility, and the appropriate PPE will be required in designated areas.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people’s lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom’s voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency: The expected pre-tax pay for this position is $78,000.00 - $125,350.00 Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

Privacy Policy: We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role. Your privacy is important to us. We will explain the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests.

Avantor offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness programs, health savings and flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with company match, and an employee stock purchase program. Employees also receive 11 paid holidays, accrue 18 PTO days annually, are eligible for volunteer time off and 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave (except in states that offer paid family leave). These benefits may not apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement or those subject to other eligibility rules.

Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. One of our greatest strengths comes from having a global infrastructure that is strategically located to support the needs of our customers. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world.