Utilities Plant Engineer

Evonik; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Evonik in Lafayette, Indiana is seeking a Utilities Plant Engineer to provide engineering leadership and technical expertise for capital projects and utility systems. The role involves leading projects, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and experience in plant or manufacturing engineering. Strong analytical skills and effective collaboration across departments are essential for success in this dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in plant engineering, manufacturing engineering, or capital project environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects from scope development through design and construction.
• Provide engineering support for utility systems, including steam and water.
• Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance for continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Project Management

Engineering Leadership

Problem-Solving

Communication

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Summary

The Utilities Plant Engineer provides engineering leadership and technical expertise to support both capital projects and critical site utility systems. This role is responsible for leading small- to medium-sized capital projects, supporting the Ascent Project, and ensuring the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of Site Services Utilities. The position partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, ESHS, and Project teams to improve equipment reliability, infrastructure performance, and overall plant efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects from scope development through design, construction, commissioning, qualification, and startup.
• Provide engineering support to strategic site projects, including design reviews, technical evaluations, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, contractors, vendors, and engineering documentation to ensure successful project execution.
• Provide day‑to‑day engineering support for utility systems, including steam, water, HVAC, power distribution, and supporting infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot equipment and system issues, conduct root cause analyses, and implement sustainable solutions to improve reliability.
• Develop and enhance maintenance and reliability strategies to optimize equipment performance and asset lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and EHS teams to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, quality, environmental, and engineering standards and procedures.
• Provide technical leadership, support engineering best practices, and contribute to long‑term infrastructure and asset management strategies.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in plant engineering, manufacturing engineering, utilities, maintenance, reliability, or capital project environments.
• Exposure to managing engineering projects, including design, construction, commissioning, or startup activities.
• Familiarity with utility systems such as steam, water, HVAC, power distribution, or other industrial infrastructure systems.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food processing, or other regulated industrial operations is beneficial.
• Knowledge of maintenance, reliability, asset management, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Understanding of engineering standards, process safety, quality systems, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving capabilities with the ability to identify and implement practical solutions.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work across multiple functions and manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The Evonik Group adopts an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) approach. Candidates are assessed based on their educational qualifications, experience, job competencies, and potential and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, nationality, disability or sexual orientation or other classifications protected by local, state, or provincial regulations.