Chemical Engineering Industrial Undergraduate placement - BYK

Cogent Skills•Kennebunk, ME

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an excellent opportunity for a Chemical Engineering undergraduate to gain practical experience in a specialty chemicals manufacturing environment. The role will provide exposure to the real-world application of chemical engineering principles, with opportunities to contribute to process optimisation, efficiency improvements, sustainability initiatives, and operational excellence projects. Working alongside experienced industry professionals, the student will develop valuable technical and professional skills while making a meaningful contribution to site performance. We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Chemical Engineering undergraduate to join our specialty chemicals manufacturing site for a year-long industrial placement. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a dynamic production environment and apply academic chemical engineering principles to real-world industrial challenges. Working alongside experienced Process Engineers, Production Teams, Maintenance Personnel, and Project Engineers, the successful candidate will contribute to initiatives focused on process optimisation, operational efficiency, sustainability, safety, and continuous improvement. The role will provide valuable exposure to large-scale chemical manufacturing processes and offer an excellent foundation for a future career in the chemical industry.

Requirements

Currently studying towards a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering.
Seeking an industrial placement as part of an accredited degree programme.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Interest in manufacturing, process engineering, and industrial operations.
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
Enthusiastic, proactive, and willing to learn.

Nice To Haves

If you will have completed your bachelors degree before the start of this placement you will be overqualified.

Responsibilities

Assist with troubleshooting process issues and investigating root causes of plant performance deviations.
Support process improvement projects aimed at increasing plant efficiency, productivity, and reliability.
Analyse process data and identify opportunities for optimisation of manufacturing operations.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, energy consumption, and environmental impact.
Assist in the development and updating of process documentation, including operating procedures, process flow diagrams, and engineering reports.
Work with cross-functional teams including Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Technical, and Health & Safety functions.
Participate in plant trials, data collection, and performance monitoring activities.
Support hazard identification and process safety activities, gaining exposure to industry best practices and regulatory requirements.