Chemical Manufacturing Engineer

Ascend Performance Materials • Decatur, AL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers and plastics committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact. The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of an assigned manufacturing unit. This role drives operational performance by optimizing production, raw material consumption, energy usage, product quality, and equipment reliability while supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The Manufacturing Engineer serves as the technical leader for the unit, providing troubleshooting expertise, driving process optimization, and partnering across functions to improve operational excellence and business performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of three years of experience in chemical manufacturing or a related continuous process manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations through process optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading or participating in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Management of Change (MOC), and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects involving Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, and Engineering.
• Ability to enter confined spaces, including tanks, distillation columns, and other process vessels.
• Must be able to pass through standard-sized manway openings.
• Ability to wear a full-face respirator, including maintaining conditions necessary to achieve an effective respirator seal.
• Ability to climb fixed ladders, generally up to 24 feet tall, as part of routine inspection activities.
• Ability to work on elevated structures and platforms up to 200 feet above ground while performing inspections.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to varying temperatures, noise, moving equipment, chemicals, dust, fumes, gases, and other industrial conditions.
• Ability to provide engineering support outside normal business hours, as operational needs require.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to sit as needed throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb fixed ladders up to approximately 24 feet.
• Ability to work at heights up to approximately 200 feet.
• Ability to maintain balance while climbing and working on elevated surfaces.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist, and reach above shoulder level, below waist level, and at ground level.
• Ability to enter confined spaces, including tanks, distillation columns, and other process vessels through standard-sized manway openings.
• Ability to use hands for grasping, fine motor tasks, and handling equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain adequate vision and hearing for safe job performance.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting capital projects and equipment reliability initiatives is preferred.
• Six Sigma certification is preferred.
• Knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) regulations and Title V environmental permitting preferred.
• Experience with DeltaV or Provox distributed control systems (DCS) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Become the technical expert for the assigned manufacturing unit.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the unit control strategy, including process control and alarm systems.
• Identify improvement opportunities and implement plans that increase operational ownership and achieve unit performance targets.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships that enable collaboration and influence across the organization.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts and drive timely, effective repair and recovery activities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Champion Ascend's zero-incident safety culture by promoting safe work practices and active operator engagement.
• Lead or participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA), and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) activities.
• Lead Management of Change (MOC) processes to ensure safe implementation of process modifications.
• Facilitate Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Quantify safety and environmental risks associated with equipment and process failures and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, safety, and Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements.
• Monitor and improve production performance, product quality, raw material efficiency, energy consumption, and overall unit reliability.
• Analyze process data and implement optimization initiatives that improve operational performance and reduce manufacturing costs.
• Track daily operating performance and develop action plans to achieve key performance indicator (KPI) targets.
• Serve as the manufacturing technical resource for process troubleshooting and operational support.
• Support implementation of new technologies and process improvements that drive sustainable performance gains.
• Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, and Reliability teams to safely plan and execute equipment outages and maintenance activities.
• Partner with Site Engineering to develop and implement cost-effective capital improvement projects.
• Support equipment reliability initiatives through engineering analysis and continuous improvement efforts.
• Provide engineering support outside normal business hours as required to maintain safe and reliable operations.
• Ensure manufacturing processes consistently meet product quality requirements.
• Represent Manufacturing during investigations of customer complaints and lead efforts to identify and eliminate root causes.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Build strong working relationships with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Reliability, Quality Assurance, Planning, and other functional teams.
• Communicate technical information effectively to operators, peers, and leadership.
• Support achievement of operational budgets, forecasts, and key performance commitments.
• Mentor operations personnel by providing technical guidance and process expertise.

Benefits

• Ascend values transparency and fairness in our hiring process.
• We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies.
• Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions.
• Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us.
• We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level