Plant Chemist

Ingevity • North Charleston, SC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Plant Chemist, Pilot Plant will take ownership of the Innovation Center chemical pilot plant, coordinating and executing pilot plant batches that support the successful scale-up of new technologies from R&D to commercial production at the North Charleston Plant. As a key member of the Plant Technical Team, this individual will leverage their technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and hands-on experience to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and full-scale manufacturing. Working closely with R&D, Operations, and Engineering, they will play a critical role in advancing development projects, optimizing processes, and delivering innovative solutions that drive business success.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline preferred. Relevant industrial experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose equipment issues, troubleshoot process upsets, and coordinate corrective actions to support safe and reliable pilot plant operations.
• Exposure to manufacturing, pilot plant operations, laboratory environments, or chemical processing through coursework, internships, co-ops, or industry experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, coursework, research, internships or other technical assignments.
• Experience with analytical instrumentation and quality testing techniques, including FTIR, moisture analysis, and auto titration, preferred.
• High attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate documentation and records.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and initiative.
• Team-oriented mindset with the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs and priorities.
• Ability to safely lift and handle materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• This role is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. The successful candidate must not now, or in the future, require sponsorship to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Support the scale-up of new products and processes from laboratory development to commercial manufacturing using the Charleston Pilot Plant.
• Own and operate the pilot plant, producing materials for customer evaluations and supporting the commercialization of new technologies and products.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute pilot plant trials in partnership with Product Development, Plant Technical, Operations, and Commercial teams.
• Monitor pilot plant performance, troubleshoot process and equipment issues, and implement improvements to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency.
• Identify equipment needs, support maintenance activities, and recommend upgrades that expand pilot plant capabilities.
• Develop an understanding of process scale-up principles and apply them to bridge laboratory development and full-scale manufacturing.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate process data and trial results to support technical decision-making and process optimization.
• Work as part of a highly collaborative and respected technical team that supports multiple business groups and serves as a key resource for innovation and manufacturing excellence.

What This Job Offers

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