Utilities Process Improvement Engineer

Eastman Chemical Company; Kingsport (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Eastman Chemical Company, headquartered in Kingsport, TN, seeks a Utilities Process Improvement Engineer to partner with Operations and Maintenance in identifying and implementing safer, cost-effective process enhancements across the site.

You will lead projects that boost capacity, optimize process control, and improve yield while ensuring environmental and safety standards are met. This role offers collaboration across multiple functions and opportunities to drive site-wide improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor (BS) or Master’s (MS) degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited university is required.
• 2+ years of experience in a chemical manufacturing plant preferred.
• Good written and oral communications.
• Data analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Planning and organization skills.
• Ability to execute projects as part of a team, as a team leader or independently.
• Ability to ensure health, safety, and environmental concerns for all projects have been addressed.
• Ability to analyze the technical possibilities for solving process problems and developing new processes.
• Ability to analyze and document the economic value of proposed process solutions and new process concepts.
• Ability to manage project portfolio based on economic and business inputs.
• Ability to integrate and be effective in multiple manufacturing areas across the plant.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrating safety leadership by identifying and resolving hazards, partnering with operations to complete PHA‑required actions, interlock management, and participating in Actively Caring Talk (ACT) interactions.
• Modeling process improvement best practices, including knowledge acquisition, cost savings project development, and experimentation.
• Developing and implementing process improvement projects to increase capacity, improve process control, reduce costs, improve yield, and improve safety.
• Supporting manufacturing by providing timely assistance to resolve production problems.
• Partnering with colleagues as part of cross‑functional teams including technology, manufacturing, businesses, HSES, Engineering and other functions to drive process improvements and business initiatives.
• Providing timely communications to management and project stakeholders by communicating project needs, value, priorities and decisions to ensure project success.
• Serve as division rep for capital projects.

Skills

Data analysis

Problem solving

Communication skills

Team leadership

Project execution

Education

ABET accredited Chemical/Mechanical Engineering degree

Job description

Utilities Process Improvement Engineer

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company's innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world‑class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Description

This position is for an experienced Process Improvement engineer in the Specialty Chemicals & Utilities Process Improvement group within the Chemicals Development Division (CDD) in Technology. This role will be supporting Distribution Services, which is a site wide division, and Coal Handling. In this role, you'll partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineers, and other support staff to identify and implement improvements to the manufacturing process in areas of safety, environmental, productivity, quality, cost, and reliability. Other duties include some day-to-day troubleshooting and assistance with crew projects. This role is good if you are interested in leadership, as there will be a lot of management system development and site-wide collaboration required.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrating safety leadership by identifying and resolving hazards, partnering with operations to complete PHA‑required actions, interlock management, and participating in Actively Caring Talk (ACT) interactions.


• Modeling process improvement best practices, including knowledge acquisition, cost savings project development, and experimentation.


• Developing and implementing process improvement projects to increase capacity, improve process control, reduce costs, improve yield, and improve safety.


• Supporting manufacturing by providing timely assistance to resolve production problems.


• Partnering with colleagues as part of cross‑functional teams including technology, manufacturing, businesses, HSES, Engineering and other functions to drive process improvements and business initiatives.


• Providing timely communications to management and project stakeholders by communicating project needs, value, priorities and decisions to ensure project success.


• Serve as division rep for capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor (BS) or Master’s (MS) degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited university is required.


• 2+ years of experience in a chemical manufacturing plant preferred.


• Good written and oral communications.


• Data analysis and problem‑solving skills.


• Planning and organization skills.


• Ability to execute projects as part of a team, as a team leader or independently.


• Ability to ensure health, safety, and environmental concerns for all projects have been addressed.


• Ability to analyze the technical possibilities for solving process problems and developing new processes.


• Ability to analyze and document the economic value of proposed process solutions and new process concepts.


• Ability to manage project portfolio based on economic and business inputs.


• Ability to integrate and be effective in multiple manufacturing areas across the plant.

Benefits

Your total rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. When you join Eastman, you gain access to an exceptional suite of programs designed to protect your health, grow your wealth, and fuel your career.

Compensation & Incentives

• Base pay plus performance‑based incentive opportunities that let you share in our success.

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive medical, prescription‑drug, and dental coverage‑paired with a Health Savings Account option to help you save tax‑free dollars for care today or in the future.


• A robust menu of voluntary benefits‑including vision, optional life, critical‑illness protection, and more‑so you can tailor coverage to fit your life.


• Holistic wellness support: financial‑planning tools, family‑building assistance (adoption, pregnancy, and fertility resources), parental leave, and confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling.

Retirement & Financial Strategies

• 401(k) with a company match‑plus an additional annual retirement contribution from Eastman to accelerate your long‑term savings.

Time Away

• Eleven paid holidays, one personal day, paid time off, and paid vacation to recharge, celebrate, or handle life's moments.

Growth & Development

• Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs that empower you to thrive in your current role and chart the next steps in your career.

At Eastman, we invest in the whole you‑so you can bring your best self to work every day and build a future you're proud of.

Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.

Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully engaged workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.

Nearest Major Market

Asheville

Nearest Secondary Market

Knoxville

Job Segment

Process Engineer, Construction, Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Engineer, Engineering