R&D Engineer/Scientist II

Solstice Advanced Materials•Colonial Heights, VA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

This role supports projects ranging from small site improvements to large, complex capital investments and serves as a key mechanical and custom equipment engineering authority for both regional and global initiatives. The position involves supporting mechanical and custom equipment design activities through Pre FEED, FEED, detailed design, construction support, and startup/commissioning. It also includes developing custom equipment design packages, shop drawings, and installation documents for fabrication and construction. The role requires ownership and management of project execution, including scope, schedule, and budget, throughout its lifecycle. This encompasses scoping, design, funding appropriation, contractor coordination, construction management, commissioning, and support. The engineer will develop mechanical and custom equipment Scopes of Work (SOWs) and Basis of Design documents, covering rotating equipment, static equipment, piping systems, insulation, coatings, and materials of construction. A key aspect is applying and maintaining Solstice Engineering Standards and supporting site-specific standards as required. The role involves developing mechanical equipment specifications, managing vendor interactions, bid evaluations, and equipment selection, with clear communication of recommendations to project teams. Technical support for equipment repair and reliability issues, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and regulations, is also a responsibility. The engineer will lead or participate in mechanical design reviews with project stakeholders and ensure QA/QC requirements are met for all mechanical and piping installations. Utilization of AutoCAD (2D/3D) and Inventor (3D) is expected to support detailed engineering and construction deliverables, working closely with designers and CAD resources to ensure accuracy, consistency, and constructability. Monitoring mechanical engineering quality, schedule, and productivity throughout project execution is crucial. Familiarity with document management and control systems (e.g., Documentum, AM Meridian) is expected. The role provides project scoping input for accurate cost estimates and efficient design solutions, and adherence to all plant health, safety, and environmental (HSE) requirements is mandatory. Collaboration with engineering, maintenance, operations, and materials management teams to improve safety, reliability, and asset performance is essential. Conducting factory acceptance tests (FATs) and inspections at vendor and fabricator facilities, and partnering with Maintenance Excellence and other stakeholders on complex or HSE-critical issues are also part of the role. Driving value engineering, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives, and preparing mechanical and piping estimate packages and construction work order packages are key functions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
3–6 years of mechanical engineering experience in a chemical, petrochemical, or similar industrial environment.
Willingness to travel up to 25%, as required.
Candidate must be a U.S. person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status.

Nice To Haves

Experience with design of chemical processing, textile and web handling equipment.
Experience with material handling or process automation systems.
Familiarity with SAP.
Working knowledge of PIP, ASME, ANSI, API, and related codes and standards.
Demonstrated ability to support large capital investments in complex manufacturing environments.
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt (or equivalent continuous improvement experience).
Strong commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and cost optimization.
Proven interpersonal skills and ability to influence across disciplines and organizational levels.
Self‑starter with a results‑driven mindset and strong bias for action.
Excellent written, verbal, and analytical skills.
Strong time‑management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Responsibilities

Support mechanical and custom equipment design activities through Pre FEED, FEED, detailed design, construction support, and startup/commissioning.
Develop custom equipment design packages, shop drawings, and installation documents for fabrication and construction.
Ownership and management of project execution include scope, schedule, and budget and cost throughout its lifecycle.
Develop mechanical and custom equipment Scopes of Work (SOWs) and Basis of Design documents, including rotating equipment, static equipment, piping systems, insulation, coatings, and materials of construction.
Apply and maintain Solstice Engineering Standards and support site‑specific standards as required.
Develop mechanical equipment specifications and manage vendor interactions, bid evaluations, and equipment selection, clearly communicating recommendations to project teams.
Provide technical support for equipment repair and reliability issues, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
Lead or participate in mechanical design reviews with project stakeholders.
Ensure QA/QC requirements are properly developed and met for all mechanical and piping installations.
Utilize AutoCAD (2D/3D) and Inventor (3D) to support detailed engineering and construction deliverables.
Work closely with designers and CAD resources to ensure accuracy, consistency, and constructability of drawings.
Monitor mechanical engineering quality, schedule, and productivity throughout project execution.
Maintain familiarity with document management and control systems (e.g., Documentum, AM Meridian).
Provide project scoping input to support accurate cost estimates and efficient design solutions.
Adhere to all plant health, safety, and environmental (HSE)requirements.
Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, operations, and materials management teams to improve safety, reliability, and asset performance.
Conduct factory acceptance tests (FATs) and inspections at vendor and fabricator facilities.
Partner with Maintenance Excellence and other stakeholders on complex or HSE‑critical issues.
Drive value engineering, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Prepare mechanical and piping estimate packages and construction work order packages.