Campus Pride Jobs

Pennakem has a heritage of 75 years with a unique company culture of a family atmosphere and high level of engagement. We are more than just a job and seek career-minded individuals who want to grow. Our base chemical derives from renewable resources and is environmentally friendly. We offer challenging and interesting work along with competitive salaries and benefits.

We are currently seeking a R&D Process Engineer to join our team of talented employees!

This role provides research and development support for a dynamic and rapidly growing manufacturing unit. Primary responsibilities include the definition and implementation of creative and innovative solutions to optimize all aspects of operational performance, including the introduction of new processes/products.

• High personal performance standards and an intrinsic drive to achieve excellence

• Initiative and a desire/ability to function at a high level with minimal supervision

• Creative problem-solving and data analysis skills

• High energy and ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment

• Strong work ethic

• A quick learner, able to grasp new and complex concepts

• Team player, able to productively marshal required resources to achieve success

• A desire to make a difference, to be challenged and to truly own all aspects of department performance

  Scope :

  The position serves as a technical resource in the chemical engineering discipline in support of manufacturing operations.

  Responsibilities include the definition of improvements and implementation of actions to resolve problems and optimize results in the areas of product quality, yields, energy, operating costs, development & execution of small capital projects and new product introductions. The position reports to the R&D and interfaces regularly with the pilot plant, project engineers, and maintenance personnel to jointly develop process and operational alternatives and improvements and to implement solutions to problems. The role will also provide process development support and serve as the resident R&D expert in the chemistry of the processes in the assigned manufacturing unit, with support from on-site PhD R&D chemists.

The work includes translation of processes from R&D to pilot/production equipment, optimization of existing processes through strong data analysis, process safety studies and development of new technologies.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Demonstrate understanding and willingness to model the Pennakem core values of Perseverance, Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Together and Entrepreneurial Spirit.

• Apply engineering expertise, analyze data for trends, and identify process & operational improvements.

• Drive improvements, process optimizations, and improved process control to enhance product quality, yields, energy, and other cost improvements.

• Support studies in the laboratory (safety, solvent swap, distillation, cooling capacity, stirring, continuous process calculations, etc.) through several tools including process modeling software (CHEMCAD for example).

• Participate to the development of new technologies from lab to pilot/production including equipment or technologies.

• Be knowledgeable of and comply with all safety and environmental regulations associated with the related processes and any required modifications.

• Maintain effective communications and working relationships with operators, engineers, maintenance, project engineering, administrative support, production and pilot plant personnel.

  Qualifications/Requirements:

  Experience and Education

• MS or higher degree in Chemical Engineering.

• 5 yrs. minimum of process engineering and design experience in a chemical manufacturing plant preferred.

• Experience in process design and improvement including process trouble shooting and debottlenecking related to improving efficiency, capability, and safety.

• Experience in continuous processes is a plus.

• Experience in separation techniques and operations, especially including liquid/liquid (distillation, decantation, etc.).

• Exposure to Quality Systems (ISO), cGMP, API, etc. is a plus.

• Experience and capability to perform calculations using process modeling software would be desirable attribute.

• Experience in developing material and energy balances to optimize yields and usages of raw materials and energy resources.

  Desired Skills

• Process Control understanding, and ability to identify improvements.

• Experience with operating of process equipment, distillation, reactors, liquid-liquid separation, and liquid-solid separations.

• Ability to work in a high pace, rapidly changing environment, with many activities at once.

• Ability to work as a team member to achieve a common goal.

• Skill in writing documentation including operating procedures and reports.

• Ability to coordinate activities across many different job functions. (chemists, mechanics, material handlers, managers, etc.)

• Ability to work with minimum supervision and to prioritize and manage a broad range of accountabilities.

• Willingness to learn new skills and the ability to apply the knowledge gained.

• Understanding of and compliance with all safe work practices and environmental regulations.

• Working knowledge of Process Safety Management and Management of Change Processes.

  Company Benefits

• Medical & Vision Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• 401(k) match

• Paid Holidays

• PTO

• Dependent Life

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Annual Physical - Company paid

• Safety Glasses allowance - $250/year

• Safety Shoes allowance - $150/year