Summer 2027 Engineering Intern

Ascend Performance Materials Operations; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Ascend Performance Materials Operations in the Houston area is seeking Engineering Interns to apply chemical and safety principles in a manufacturing environment. Interns may rotate between sites to gain exposure to unique processes and operations.

Projects will be assigned under experienced engineers, focusing on reducing waste, increasing efficiencies, and solving operating issues. This is an on-site role requiring daily presence.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in school and has completed sophomore year
• On-site daily; this is not a remote role
• Own reliable transportation to and from site daily; housing assistance is provided for students within 50 miles

Responsibilities

• Manufacturing - support day-to-day operations with process and technical guidance in production execution.
• Production - provide technical guidance on process matters, improve process capability, manage capacity planning, maximize material usage.
• Process Technology - knowledge used to produce intermediates for Nylon 6,6 and other chemicals.
• Process Design - provide innovative and cost-effective design alternatives for capital projects.
• Maintenance & Reliability - improve reliability through predictive and preventive processes.

Education

Chemical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers and plastics, committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Engineering Interns will apply engineering and safety principles in a chemical and/or polymer manufacturing environment. Interns may also rotate between sites to gain experience with unique processes and operations.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

Each intern will be assigned a project, performed under the guidance of experienced engineers. Projects will provide experience in:

• reducing waste
• increasing efficiencies
• streamlining processes
• troubleshooting issues
• providing root cause failure analysis of operating problems
• identifying cost savings and/or updating procedures

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Interns will work closely in assisting an engineer or engineering manager with projects relating to one of the following functions:

• Manufacturing - Manufacturing engineering teams support day-to-day operations with detailed process and technical guidance in the execution of scheduled production.
• Production - The Production Engineering function provides technical guidance on process matters for a manufacturing unit and works to improve process capability, manage capacity planning, and maximize raw material usage.
• Process Technology - The Process Technology function is responsible for the fundamental, scientific knowledge used to produce the chemicals intermediates used in the Nylon 6,6 and other specialty chemicals market segments.
• Process Design- The Process design function provides innovative and cost-effective process design alternatives. This function also provides credible and creative process design packages for capital projects across the company.
• Maintenance & Reliability - The Reliability function provides technical reliability direction and focuses on improving mechanical, electrical and instrumentation systems reliability through the development and implementation of predictive and preventive reliability processes.

TEAM

Reports to: Department Manager

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• The candidate must be currently enrolled in school and have completed their sophomore year with at least one semester of courses to be completed in the field of: Chemical Engineering,
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Recognized leadership experience
• Students will be expected to be on site daily; this is not a remote role
• Must have own reliable transportation to and from site daily; housing assistance is provided for students who are not local (within 50 miles)

PREFERRED SKILLS

• The ideal candidate will be highly motivated
• Outstanding academic records in their degree of study
• Possess interest in an industrial environment
• Able to build effective relationships across their site
• Strong operational discipline

LOCATIONS

• Alvin, TX : (near Houston) Chocolate Bayou serves as the starting point for Ascend's entire PA66 product chain through the production of acrylonitrile at this site. Chocolate Bayou also produces specialty and other chemicals in addition to hosting operations on behalf of guest companies.
• Pensacola, FL : Pensacola is the world's largest fully integrated PA66 manufacturing facility. The site brings in adiponitrile from the Decatur plant to convert to HMD and brings in the raw materials ammonia, cyclohexane and phenol to produce adipic acid. The site also produces specialty chemicals.
• Decatur, AL : (near Huntsville) Decatur hosts Ascend's adiponitrile production facility, one of only a few globally, and a world scale hexamethylenediamine production unit. Decatur is home to Ascend's growing specialty chemicals business with multiple products produced, including propionitrile (PN) and triaminononane (TAN).
• Foley, AL : The Foley plant produces high-quality PA66 Ultron carpet fiber and Vydyne nylon molding resin compounds for a broad base of customers.

At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be conside