Sr./Principal Chemical Engineer

Ecolab•Greensboro, NC

About The Position

As a member of the Global Quick Service (QSR) Research & Development team, this individual will lead innovation projects and develop new solutions that advance food safety and public health. Working collaboratively with Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, and RD&E partners across Ecolab, this role will identify customer needs, translate insights into technical requirements, develop and validate innovative solutions, and support commercialization globally. This position combines scientific expertise, project leadership, customer engagement, and industry involvement to drive growth and strengthen Ecolab's technical leadership in customer-focused innovation. What's in it for you: Develop innovative solutions that help protect public health and improve customer outcomes. Influence the future direction of Ecolab's innovation pipeline. Work in a collaborative, customer-focused environment where your voice matters, your contributions are rewarded, and you can make an impact. What you will do: Translate customer needs into technical requirements, product concepts, and innovation opportunities. Lead strategic product development projects from ideation through commercialization in collaboration with cross-functional partners. Develop technical approaches and contribute scientific expertise to new products, technologies, and solution improvements that strengthen sanitation outcomes, reduce risk, and protect public health. Design and execute laboratory studies, field trials, and customer validations using sound scientific methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Communicate technical findings, recommendations, risks, and project updates to technical, commercial, and business audiences. Support implementation and knowledge transfer for new products and technologies across manufacturing, commercial, and technical support organizations. Build relationships with customers and industry stakeholders to understand evolving customer needs and industry trends, validate solutions, and strengthen Ecolab's technical leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Microbiology, or a related technical discipline.
2+ years of experience in product development, food safety, or related technical roles.
Experience leading projects involving multiple stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
Experience applying scientific methods to solve technical challenges.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree or certifications in food safety.
Expertise in food safety, sanitation, microbiology, public health, or infection prevention.
Experience developing formulations, antimicrobial technologies, sanitation solutions, or related customer-facing innovations.

Responsibilities

Translate customer needs into technical requirements, product concepts, and innovation opportunities.
Lead strategic product development projects from ideation through commercialization in collaboration with cross-functional partners.
Develop technical approaches and contribute scientific expertise to new products, technologies, and solution improvements that strengthen sanitation outcomes, reduce risk, and protect public health.
Design and execute laboratory studies, field trials, and customer validations using sound scientific methods, experimental design, and data analysis.
Communicate technical findings, recommendations, risks, and project updates to technical, commercial, and business audiences.
Support implementation and knowledge transfer for new products and technologies across manufacturing, commercial, and technical support organizations.
Build relationships with customers and industry stakeholders to understand evolving customer needs and industry trends, validate solutions, and strengthen Ecolab's technical leadership.