Senior Process Engineer

Imerys; Sylacauga (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Imerys in Sylacauga seeks a Senior Process Engineer to anchor our manufacturing processes, driving innovation and optimization across operations, trials, and the introduction of new technologies.

You will mentor junior engineers, lead Six Sigma and Lean initiatives, perform cost and capital analyses, and collaborate with Production, Maintenance and Management to deliver reliable, high-quality outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Industrial or Chemical Engineering.
• 3–5 years of proven engineering experience in industrial/manufacturing settings.
• Strong project management with a track record of driving process improvements from concept to completion.

Responsibilities

• Optimize Operations: spearhead productivity initiatives using Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and chemical engineering principles.
• Maximize Efficiency: focus on debottlenecking, yield, operating efficiency and product quality.
• Quantify Impact: conduct financial analyses to determine business impact and prioritize capital projects.
• End-to-End Design: develop designs including feasibility studies, basic engineering plans and cost estimates.
• Hands-On Execution: supervise plant trials, participate in commissioning new technologies and troubleshoot daily production issues.
• Equip the Plant: evaluate, specify and select equipment and materials for long-term reliability.
• Mentor: provide technical guidance to Junior Process Engineers.
• Collaborate: act as bridge between technology and business for management and teams.
• Champion Customers: lead customer process improvement teams to meet market expectations.

Skills

Project management

Education

BS in Industrial/Chemical Engineering

Job description

At Imerys, we are the world leader in mineral-based specialty solutions, and our Sylacauga plant is at the heart of our operations. We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Process Engineer to serve as the technical anchor for our manufacturing processes.

In this role, you won’t just maintain the status quo—you will drive the innovation and engineering required to optimize existing systems and commission new technologies. If you are passionate about applying continuous improvement methodologies, solving complex production challenges, and mentoring the next generation of engineers, we want you on our team.

What You Will Do

Drive Process Innovation & Profitability

• Optimize Operations: Spearhead plant productivity initiatives using Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and fundamental Chemical Engineering principles.
• Maximize Efficiency: Target and execute improvements focused on debottlenecking, yield maximization, operating efficiency, and product quality.
• Quantify Impact: Prepare rigorous financial and economic analyses for process improvements to determine business impact and prioritize capital projects.
• End-to-End Design: Develop required designs within the engineering discipline, including feasibility studies, basic engineering plans, and cost estimates.
• Hands-On Execution: Supervise and execute plant trials, directly participate in commissioning new process technologies, and troubleshoot complex daily production issues.
• Equip the Plant: Evaluate, specify, and select equipment and materials to ensure long-term operational reliability.

Provide Technical Leadership

• Mentor: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Junior Process Engineers, helping build a world-class engineering team.
• Collaborate: Act as the technical bridge between technology and business, quantifying and clearly communicating process advancements to Management, Production, Maintenance, and Administrative teams.
• Champion Customers: Participate in—and often lead—customer process improvement teams to ensure our solutions exceed market expectations.

What You Bring to the Team

• Education: A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 3 to 5 years of proven engineering experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Skills: Strong project management background with a track record of driving process improvements from concept to completion.

The Work Environment

This is a dynamic, hands-on role where you will spend time both analyzing data and getting involved on the production floor.

• Environment: Work is split between the laboratory, office, and active process/production areas.
• Physicality: You can expect to be on your feet (standing/walking) up to 60% of the time, with occasional climbing (up to 10%) and lifting up to 25 pounds as you interact directly with our plant systems.