Advanced R&D Engineer/Scientist

Solstice Advanced Materials•Colonial Heights, VA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

This role supports projects ranging from small site improvements to large, complex capital investments and serves as a key mechanical and custom equipment engineering authority for both regional and global initiatives. The position involves leading mechanical engineering execution through various project phases, developing custom equipment design packages, and managing project execution including scope, schedule, and budget. The engineer will develop scopes of work, basis of design documents, and mechanical equipment specifications, while also providing technical support for equipment repair and reliability. Collaboration with various teams, adherence to HSE requirements, and driving continuous improvement are key aspects of this role. The role also includes conducting factory acceptance tests and preparing estimate and construction work order packages.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
5–8 years of mechanical engineering experience in a chemical, petrochemical, or similar industrial environment.
Willingness to travel up to 25%, as required.
Candidate must be a U.S. person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status.

Nice To Haves

Experience with design of chemical processing, textile and web handling equipment.
Experience with material handling or process automation systems.
Familiarity with SAP.
Working knowledge of PIP, ASME, ANSI, API, and related codes and standards.
Demonstrated ability to support large capital investments in complex manufacturing environments.
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt (or equivalent continuous improvement experience).
Strong commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and cost optimization.
Proven interpersonal skills and ability to influence across disciplines and organizational levels.
Self‑starter with a results‑driven mindset and strong bias for action.
Excellent written, verbal, and analytical skills.
Strong time‑management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Responsibilities

Lead mechanical engineering execution through Pre‑FEED, FEED, detailed design, construction support, and startup/commissioning.
Develop custom equipment design packages, shop drawings, and installation documents for fabrication and construction.
Ownership and management of project execution include scope, schedule, and budget and cost throughout its lifecycle.
Develop mechanical and custom equipment Scopes of Work (SOWs) and Basis of Design documents, including rotating equipment, static equipment, piping systems, insulation, coatings, and materials of construction.
Apply and maintain Solstice Engineering Standards and support site‑specific standards as required.
Develop mechanical equipment specifications and manage vendor interactions, bid evaluations, and equipment selection, clearly communicating recommendations to project teams.
Provide technical support for equipment repair and reliability issues, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
Lead or participate in mechanical design reviews with project stakeholders.
Ensure QA/QC requirements are properly developed and met for all mechanical and piping installations.
Utilize AutoCAD (2D/3D) and Inventor (3D) to support detailed engineering and construction deliverables.
Work closely with designers and CAD resources to ensure accuracy, consistency, and constructability of drawings.
Monitor mechanical engineering quality, schedule, and productivity throughout project execution.
Maintain familiarity with document management and control systems (e.g., Documentum, AM Meridian).
Provide project scoping input to support accurate cost estimates and efficient design solutions.
Manage mechanical discipline budgets and costs, ensuring performance targets are met or exceeded.
Adhere to all plant health, safety, and environmental (HSE)requirements.
Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, operations, and materials management teams to improve safety, reliability, and asset performance.
Conduct factory acceptance tests (FATs) and inspections at vendor and fabricator facilities.
Partner with Maintenance Excellence and other stakeholders on complex or HSE‑critical issues.
Drive value engineering, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Prepare mechanical and piping estimate packages and construction work order packages.