Production Engineer - Distillation

Evonik Industries AG; Kentucky; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Evonik Corporation is seeking a Production Engineer to oversee daily operations of distillation columns in the Acetylenics plant and to drive process improvements and automation initiatives.

The role requires a chemical engineering background with 3–5 years of industrial experience, strong data interpretation skills, and the ability to work across supply chain and operations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering and 3–5 years of industrial experience in PSM/related plant operations.
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to interpret process data and improve efficiency.
• Self-starter capable of leading change and communicating with frontline staff.

Responsibilities

• Manages day-to-day operation of distillation columns within the Acetylenics plant.
• Analyzes distillation process data and inputs from operators. Reduces variation via procedures, process adjustments, and engineering controls.
• Develops distillation competency of team via development and delivery of training curriculums, job aids, and coaching.
• Monitors plant-wide material yields and energy consumption; takes action to improve yield and energy.
• Provides on-call coverage for Acetylenics plant and aids in troubleshooting / root cause investigations plantwide.
• Translates production requirements into operating schedule, aligned with warehouse manager and supply chain.
• Fosters advancement of the Evonik Production System in distillation with 5S, improvements, work orders, and shutdown/startup management.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Master’s Degree

Tools

Evonik Production System

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Job description

Was wir bieten

Entdecken Sie mit uns eine Welt voller Möglichkeiten. Blicken Sie mit uns nach vorne und gestalten Sie innovative Lösungen mit, um unsere Welt nachhaltiger und das Leben gesünder, lebendiger und komfortabler zu machen. Bei Evonik haben Sie die Chance, sich gemeinsam mit mehr als 33.000 Kolleginnen und Kollegen zu entwickeln und zu wachsen. Neben attraktiven Karrierewegen und hochwertigen Entwicklungsprogrammen bieten wir eine leistungsorientierte Vergütung, Maßnahmen zur Gesundheitsförderung sowie hybride und flexible Arbeitsmodelle mit #SmartWork. Bringen Sie sich ein, entwickeln Sie Ihre Stärken weiter, gehen Sie neue Wege und finden Sie bei uns einen Job, der zu Ihnen passt.

Hier erfahren Sie mehr über Evonik direkt von unseren Mitarbeitern:

https://careers.evonik.com/de/ueber-uns/das-sind-wir/

The Production Engineer oversees daily operations of five continuous and one batch distillation column in the Acetylenics plant. Responsibilities include managing procedures, troubleshooting, deviation response, and training chemical operators. The engineer will develop a process monitoring system with defined control limits and response guidelines, aiming to reduce variation through procedures, training, and capital improvements. This system will later be expanded to other areas of the plant, which include continuous reaction, catalyst recovery, and product formulations. The role involves coordinating with supply chain and warehouse teams to align production with demand and optimize manpower. Additional duties include improving CAD yields and energy efficiency, leading capital projects, and transitioning to enhanced automation. The engineer serves as the SME for distillation, provides on-call plant support, leads or participates in RCAs, and applies the Evonik Production System to drive improvements in safety, reliability, 5S, and shutdown/startup planning.

RESPONSIBILTIES

• Manages and directs the day-to-day operation of distillation columns within the Acetylenics plant.
• Analyzes distillation process data and inputs from operators. Reduces variation via administrative (procedures), process adjustment, and engineering controls.
• Develops distillation competency of team via development & delivery of training curriculums, job aids, and coaching.
• Monitors and analyzes plant wide material yields and energy consumption. Takes action to improve yield and energy.
• Provides on-call coverage for Acetylenics plant and aids in troubleshooting / root cause investigations plantwide.
• Translates production requirements into operating schedule, aligned with warehouse manager and supply chain.
• Fosters advancement of the Evonik Production System in distillation beginning with housekeeping, 5S, spot improvements, work orders, and shutdown/startup management.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering plus 3 to 5 years industrial experience in PSM plant (or Master’s Degree)
• Good understanding of plant operations and desire to develop into subject matter expert for distillation.
• Self-starter, with willingness to learn and manage change.
• Capability to learn, understand, and interpret continuous production process with a variety of unit operations and equipment
• Flexibility to communicate and work productively with frontline employees, contractors, other supervisors, and leadership team.
• Desire and capability of solving problems in areas of uncertainty.
• Demonstrated use of analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, develop, and implement innovative solutions that improve process performance, safety, reliability, quality, yield, and/or energy efficiency.
• Ability to translate technical and process information into clear, practical operating guidance and training for frontline employees.
• Project Management or Continuous Improvement experience is a plus.

The Evonik Group adopts an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) approach. Candidates are assessed based on their educational qualifications, experience, job competencies and potential and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, nationality, disability or sexual orientation or other classifications protected by local, state, or provincial regulations.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout employment. Sponsorship for employment visas is not available for this position, now or in the future.

Evonik Corporation