Senior Pilot Plant Technician

Dow; Freeport (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Dow Inc. in Freeport, TX is seeking a Senior Process R&D Technician to contribute to catalyst and process development, scale-up, and pilot plant operations.

You will troubleshoot process equipment, run trials, and document results as part of a safety‑driven, 24‑hour operation. The role requires hands‑on control system experience (ABB/Siemens), strong data analysis, and collaboration with engineers and scientists.

Qualifications

• Hands-on ability to operate, monitor, and troubleshoot pilot plant equipment.
• Familiarity with process control systems (ABB, Siemens, or similar DCS/PLC).
• Data collection, trend analysis, and technical reporting.
• Safety mindset with knowledge of chemical processing hazards.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with technical teams to execute R&D and scale-up activities.
• Adjust and troubleshoot process controls and instrumentation.
• Perform routine operations including sampling, calibration, and maintenance per SOPs.
• Support validation runs for customer trials.
• Document operations through logs, batch records, and SOPs.
• Analyze plant metrics to identify optimization opportunities.

Skills

DCS & field experience

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Process control

Communication

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate’s degree (science preferred)

Military experience

Tools

ABB

Siemens

Job description

Primary Location:Freeport (TX, USA),Texas,United States of America

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration.If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.

About This Role

Dowhas exciting opportunities for Senior Process R&D Technicianslocated in Freeport, TX.

This role will contribute to new catalyst/process development, process scale-up, and product sales support through batch validation and safe, reliable pilot plantoperations. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong process technician skills, a commitment to safety, and proficiency with process control systems and will perform operations related activities as per Master Task List, inputs from trial documents, and run sheets. You will troubleshoot process or equipment issues and coordinate pilot plant maintenance activities. This is a 24-hour operation, and you will be required to work shift schedule, and be willing to work overtime when needed.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with technical teams to execute R&D and scale-up activities.
• Adjust and troubleshoot process controls and instrumentation.
• Perform routine operations including sampling, calibration, and maintenance per SOPs.
• Support validation runs for customer trials.
• Document operations through logs, batch records, and SOPs.
• Analyze plant metrics to identify and implement optimization opportunities.
• Ensure safety compliance through active participation in hazard management programs.
• Contribute to SOPs and training material development.
• Provides technical support to engineers and scientists in the execution of R&D and scale-up activities.
• Acts as a pilot plant team to ensure safe and reliable operation of reactors and associated process equipment.
• Supports catalyst validation and customer trials through execution of experimental runs and process monitoring.Applies role‑specific expertise to troubleshoot process deviations and maintain accurate operational documentation.

Critical Success Factors

• DCS and field experience in operating a chemical plant
• Passion for continuous improvement
• Demonstrate leadership skills - inspire others and lead them through influence.
• Strong communication, prioritization and technical skills.
• Seeks challenges and enjoys overcoming them while helping others.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with equipment/ instrumentation

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of a high school diploma/GED and 5 or more years of relevant work experience OR a minimum of an Associate’s degree (science related field preferred) OR 3 or more years Military experience
• Familiarity with process control systems (ABB, Siemens, or similar DCS/PLC platforms).
• Hands‑on ability to operate, monitor, and troubleshoot pilot plant equipment.
• Competence in data collection, trend analysis, and technical reporting.
• Demonstrated safety mindset with knowledge of chemical processing hazards.
• A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.

Preferred Qualifications

• 6 or more years of chemical industry experience.
• Maintenance & troubleshooting of mechanical/rotating equipment.
• Experience working in a cross‑functional team environment.

Physical Demands

• Willing and able to meet physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations:
• Lift, push, and pull up to 55 pounds.
• Frequently bend, reach, and lift.
• Climbing stairs and work in a chemical manufacturing environment
• This role does involve elevated work greater than or equal to four feet story level structure
• Frequent work in the field/outdoors
• Work at heights greater than or equal to 4 ft off the ground. Must be able to wear and use personal protective equipment (PPE), including harnesses with a total weight capacity of 300lbs. (This typically accommodates individuals who weigh 285 or less).

Skills

• Operations: The execution and management of day-to-day activities to ensure processes run efficiently and meet organizational objectives.
• Troubleshooting: The ability to identify, analyze, and resolve problems or malfunctions in systems, equipment, or processes.
• Pilot Plants: Small‑scale industrial systems used to test and validate processes before full‑scale production, ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Process Equipment: Machinery and tools used in manufacturing or chemical processes, such as reactors, pumps, and heat exchangers.
• Process Control: Techniques and systems used to monitor and regulate industrial processes to maintain desired performance and quality.
• Communication: The skill of effectively conveying information, ideas, and instructions through verbal, written, or digital means to ensure collaboration and clarity.

Additional Notes

• No relocation assistance is available for this position.

Benefits – What Dow offers you

We invest in you.

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career.You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee:

• Equitable and market‑competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives.
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well‑being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it.
• Competitive retirement program that may include company‑provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial‑goals.
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building.
• Workplace culture empowering role‑based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs.
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non‑birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation.
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one‑stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On‑site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon‑neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high‑growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications.Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30countries and employ approximately36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately$43 billionin 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer‑centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com opens in a new tab .

As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com opens in a new tab .

Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.

As a Senior Pilot Plant Technician, you will live and work around Freeport (TX, USA), Texas, United States of America:

Employs: 7,000 individuals

Our footprint: Largest integrated chemical manufacturing complex in the Western Hemisphere

Our city: The city of Freeport is known for “Where Fun Happens”

Nearby: Attracts beachgoers, golfing, fishing and more.

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