R&D Chemical Process Engineer

Agilent Technologies•Wilmington, NC

About The Position

The R&D team in Wilmington, Delaware, is part of Agilent’s Chemistries and Supplies Division and develops liquid chromatography columns for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, environmental, and chemical applications. The team is entering new phases of product transformation, with increased emphasis on new products and process innovation. The R&D Chemical Process Engineer drives design for manufacturability and coordinates with the local manufacturing team to transfer new products and processes efficiently. The role supports development of processes that are efficient, robust, scalable, and safe, and aligned with anticipated manufacturing capabilities. The products use silica-based material made in batch processes for high-performance liquid chromatography columns. The engineer transfers technology from the R&D lab to manufacturing, ensuring manufacturing teams have the data needed for scale-up and supporting initial production runs. Work generally focuses on producing new products using current assets at the designated manufacturing site, though new equipment may be added as needed. The role may recommend new or alternative equipment tested at bench scale; manufacturing-scale equipment design is not part of the position. The job also involves production troubleshooting, personnel training, laboratory work, documentation, and participation in global cross-disciplinary project teams. Travel is required 10% of the time. The position is full-time, day shift, with no end date.

Requirements

Ph.D. or master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or equivalent.
At least 3 years of experience.
Hands-on experience in process optimization, scale-up, and technology deployment.
Proficiency in data analysis, statistical tools, and software.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work both within a team and autonomously.
Ability to conduct laboratory work safely and comply with EHS regulations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the chemical process industry and/or direct manufacturing experience.
Experience with silica particle synthesis, surface modification, characterization, wet processing, and/or HPLC column loading.

Responsibilities

Drive design for manufacturability within the R&D team.
Coordinate with the local manufacturing team to expedite the transfer of R&D designs and processes to manufacturing.
Work with R&D teams investigating new processes to develop efficient, robust, scalable, and safe processes.
Transfer technology from the R&D lab to manufacturing, from lab prototypes to reproducible and economical large-scale production.
Ensure manufacturing teams have the data necessary to scale up new products and provide support during initial production runs.
Analyze and troubleshoot existing production methods with production teams to ensure product quality.
Provide training and support to manufacturing personnel on new processes and technologies.
Monitor industrial trends and new technologies and integrate them into existing processes for competitive advantage.
Conduct laboratory work safely and follow EHS regulations, including using appropriate personal protective equipment.
Document experimental work and prepare technical presentations, reports, and summaries; present work to teams and management.
Represent the local team on global, cross-disciplinary teams working on new product introductions.
Recommend new or alternative equipment based on bench-scale testing, as needed.