Plant Engineer

Bakelite Synthetics•Louisville, KY

About The Position

Plant Engineer: The Impact You’ll Have on the Organization and World You will drive innovation and reliability by optimizing the performance of critical production units through process improvement, technical expertise, and project execution. You will ensure safety, environmental compliance, and operational excellence by applying sound engineering practices, leading improvement projects, and driving a culture of continuous improvement. You will partner across operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to enhance production capacity, efficiency, and quality — ensuring Bakelite remains a leader in sustainable manufacturing. You will strengthen our technical foundation by selecting the Most Effective or Most Appropriate Technology (MET/MAT) for capital projects and ensuring long-term process reliability and efficiency. You will help shape the future of the Louisville site by advancing innovation, reducing costs, and supporting sustainability goals. It's Better with Bakelite: Our Commitment Back to You You’ll Help Shape Our Future. As a Bakelite associate, you’re part of a diverse, global population creating the next generation of the company and we expect you to put your fingerprint on it. We Champion Our Associates. At Bakelite, you don’t just climb the career ladder – you pave your personal path through continued learning and development. Together, We Will Protect the Planet. From our processes to our products, we are focusing on the opportunities that both grow our profitability as a company, and improve and protect the planet. Safety is a Core Value. At Bakelite, safety is a 24/7 mindset. We are all safe today to ensure we are able to show up tomorrow – for our families and friends, for each other and for our communities. We Care. Plain and simple, we care about our associates. From the top on down, we place a high value on our culture and the associate experience. We offer competitive compensation, robust benefits and support our associates every step of their career. Life in Louisville: Louisville is Kentucky’s biggest city and the “Gateway to the South.” It’s located on the Ohio River and is just over the Indiana border. Louisville is home to the Kentucky Derby, an annual horse race with a long history that takes place at Churchill Downs. There are lots of attractions to explore in downtown Louisville, including the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, where Major League Baseball bats are produced. Louisville was named among the top 50 Best Places to Live in 2024 by U.S. News & World Report. Love to travel? You’re minutes from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, where you can hop a flight to anywhere in the world.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering required.
Minimum 3 years of experience in a chemical or manufacturing environment (chemical manufacturing preferred).
Strong technical understanding and problem-solving skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities; able to collaborate effectively at all organizational levels.
Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary projects.
Experience with CMMS systems (SAP preferred).
Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, PFDs, and other engineering drawings.
Experience managing contractors in electrical, mechanical, or related disciplines.
Must possess or meet eligibility requirements for a TWIC card.

Responsibilities

Optimize production processes by engaging directly with operators, troubleshooting issues, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Lead and manage process and plant improvement initiatives — from concept through design, funding, installation, and implementation.
Support production and maintenance teams with data analysis, troubleshooting, and automation solutions.
Partner with Production Leaders to implement capacity creation and efficiency upgrades.
Identify, develop, and execute capital projects to improve safety, quality, environmental compliance, and cost performance.
Lead utilities optimization for assigned areas, improving energy and waste efficiency.
Apply Lean/Six Sigma techniques to drive measurable process improvement.
Ensure adherence to PSM, ISO 9001, and all Bakelite safety and quality standards.
Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and reliability improvement teams.
Demonstrate project management capability through effective scope control, budgeting, and Stage-Gate execution.
Promote and uphold Bakelite’s strong safety culture through visible leadership and proactive risk management.