Senior Production Engineer - Kankakee, IL

Dow; Kankakee (IL); On-site; CAD 115,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

Dow Coating Materials in Illinois is seeking a Senior Production Engineer to optimize plant operations, drive MET initiatives, and ensure safe, cost-effective production of coatings products. You will partner with Operations to troubleshoot issues, lead process improvements, and coach teams on KPI trends to maintain reliability and efficiency.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in engineering and 3+ years of chemical manufacturing experience, with the ability to work in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.
• 3+ years of chemical manufacturing experience.
• Eligibility to work in the U.S. (visa sponsorship not available).

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with operations to optimize plant performance and reliability.
• Support MET usage and process automation to improve efficiency.
• Diagnose root causes of asset losses and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain KPI trends and respond to plant issues promptly.
• Provide leadership on Raw Material Efficiency and safety compliance.

Skills

Process engineering

Chemical engineering

Proactive problem solving

Process improvements

Plant safety

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

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. The Dow Chemical Company has an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Senior Production Engineer in the Dow Coating Materials (DCM) business located in Kankakee, Illinois – a great community just 60 miles from downtown Chicago. The Senior Production Engineer serves as a vital resource for Operations by applying technical skills to optimize plant operations, resolve plant problems, and enable safe and efficient production of low cost, quality products. The role provides a technical resource to assist all work teams on daily operations, process performance improvement and new product scale‑up. Dow Coating Materials is the most innovative coatings raw material supplier in the world. We drive fundamental shifts in the coatings industry, moving the market as the expert’s expert in coatings solutions. Through our mission of collaboration, inspiration, innovation and growth, we provide material products, science, technology, and manufacturing solutions to the architectural and industrial coatings industry worldwide. Dow Coating Materials operates 35 manufacturing plants worldwide and 10 dedicated R&D facilities across all major geographic markets where Dow does business. For more information please visit http://www.dow.com/coating

Responsibilities / Duties

Works closely with the operations team leveraging their problem‑solving skills and technical expertise. Elevates and appropriately applies knowledge of the plant and technology referencing historical data and conferring with Technology Center or other subject matter experts (SMEs). Ensures Most Effective Technology (MET) is understood and utilized and that process automation is used as a tool to optimize plant performance. Utilizes defined MET and challenges/escalates MET application and assumptions when better solutions arise. Partners with experts to perform advanced troubleshooting and improve and document operating discipline. Diagnoses and documents root causes of asset utilization losses in the facility. Understands why specific procedure steps and precautions are needed and keeps a strong field presence to reinforce the importance. Conducts daily review of logbook and alarm history to better understand the plant operation and stay engaged with daily activities. Maintains, owns, and reviews daily Key Process Indicators (KPI)/ trends to ensure optimum performance. Responds urgently to plant issues and emergencies. Acts as a unit technical expert during unplanned events and drives implementation of effective corrective and preventative actions. Provides leadership, expertise, diagnosis, and optimization in plant Raw Material Efficiency, which may include yield or waste generation. Ensures compliance with plant operating permits. Understands site integration and provides input to optimize the overall system.

Required Qualifications

A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering 3+ years of relevant experience in chemical manufacturing or closely related experience 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

Chemical Engineering degree Prior coatings manufacturing experience

Physical demands

Willing and able to meet physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations: Ability to safely work in a plant environment, meet physical demands, work at elevated heights, and comfortably use PPE and safety equipment. Wear safety equipment, such as earplugs, goggles, and steel‑toed shoes Perform infrequent bending, reaching, and lifting Climb stairs/ladders

Skills

Process Engineering: Process engineering is the understanding and application of the fundamental principles and laws of nature that allow us to transform raw material and energy into products that are useful to society, at an industrial level. Chemical Engineering: Chemical engineering uses principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and economics to efficiently use, produce, design, transport and transform energy and materials. Proactive Problem Solving: Proactive Problem Solving is a strategy that focuses on preventing issues before they arise by targeting the root causes of potential problems and planning preventive measures well in advance. Process Improvements: Process Improvement is the proactive task of identifying, analyzing and improving upon existing business processes within an organization for optimization and to meet new quotas or standards of quality. Plant Safety: Plant safety measures aim first and foremost to prevent accidents at plants where hazardous substances are used – and in the event of an accident, minimize the consequent health and environmental effects. Data Analysis: Data analysis is a process of inspecting, cleansing, transforming, and modelling data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision‑making.

Additional Notes

Relocation assistance is not available for this position. This is an onsite position in Kankakee, IL “For positions based in Illinois, Dow is required by law to include the pay scale that is reasonably expected to represent the pay range for the position. This pay range is specific to the State of Illinois and accounts for both new and experienced employees with consideration to factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, and sustained job performance (or similar jobs). A reasonable pay range for this position is: $83,160-$147,960 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.

• 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.
• 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 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 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. 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. 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. Dow is a company of more than 36,500 global innovators, believers and solutions providers. We are a diverse community marked by respect, integrity, and a desire to make the world a better place. A career at Dow is an invitation to explore, create, and make valuable contributions to human progress.