Unit Production Reliability Engineer

Ashland Inc.; Hopewell (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashland Inc. in Hopewell, VA is seeking a Unit Operational Reliability Engineer to join the Specialty Ingredients GP.

You will support Natrosol manufacturing to achieve safety, production, compliance, and quality targets, maintaining a presence in the operating area and with operators to resolve issues. The role emphasizes leadership, rapid escalation, cross-functional integration, and development of risk and compliance tasks.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper, Mechanical, or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of chemical plant manufacturing experience.
• Able to handle multiple projects concurrently in a team.
• Delta-V and SAP experience.
• Lean Six Sigma knowledge.
• Excellent written and oral communications.
• Proven data analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Proven planning and organization skills.
• Self-starter with urgency for delivering results.

Responsibilities

• Model and exemplify leadership within the unit and operations.
• Resolve daily issues with operators in a 24/7 environment and provide updates.
• Own all unit equipment reliability and maintenance prioritization.
• Develop projects and capital justifications to advance unit performance.
• Coordinate with Process Reliability to optimize overall performance.

Skills

Problem solving

Data analysis

Written communication

Oral communication

Teamwork

Education

BS in Chemical Eng

Tools

Delta-V

SAP

Job description

## Unit Production Reliability EngineerApply: US-VA-HOPEWELL: Full time: Posted Today: 2026 - 0657Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GPAre you the kind of person that is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious? Are you always solving?Then we’d like to meet you and bet you’d like to meet us. Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Unit Operational Reliability Engineer to join our Specialty ingredients G.P., business at our Hopewell, VA location. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company, and the Plant Engineering and Operations functions. This position will report to the Natrosol (HEC) Operations Manager. The Production Engineer will support the Natrosol manufacturing process to achieve targets in safety, production, compliance and quality. Maintain a presence in the operating area and with operators to resolve daily issues and drive continuous improvement. The responsiblities of the position include, but not limited to:* Model and exemplify excellence in leadership behaviors* Act quickly on escalations from the 24/7 team - provide updates on issues and projects* Integrate with the organization, create a high accountability culture* Ensure adhereance to stewardship and quality standards* Actively seek out the \"how\" work is completed in addition to the \"what\" - help bridge the gaps* Facilitate an effective union/company relationship* Owner of all unit equipment reliability - including maintenance work prioritization* Equipment Advocate - developer and implementor of equipment and unit strategy and issue mitigation* Key troubleshooter and responder of issues that arise* Point person for plant unit business/advancement/questions* Budget owner* Risk and compliance owner* Incident/RCA manager* Partner with Process Reliability to optimize performance* Coordinate resources outside the normal work flow when applicable* Develop projects and justification (expense and capital) to advance unit consistency and operation* Prioritize and complete all risk/compliance tasks in the unit **In order to be qualified for this role, you** ***must*** **possess the following:** * Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper, Mechanical, or equivalent.* 5-10 years’ chemical plant manufacturing experience* Must be able to handle multiple projects concurrently and work in a team environment.* Delta-V and SAP experience **The following skills sets are** ***preferred*** **by the business unit:** * Previous experience in Production Operations* Previous Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) batch manufacturing experience* Previous experience working within a union environment* Hazard Analysis - HAZOP, PHA, ISO Systems* Experience in or knowledge of using Lean Six Sigma processes* Excellent written and oral communications* Proven data analysis and problem-solving skills.* Proven planning and organization skills.* Proven self-starter with urgency for delivering results. In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer. At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do. Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty. Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.