Senior R+D Process Engineer

Henkel • Trumbull, CT

4d

About The Position

At Henkel, the Senior R+D Process Engineer works in the Consumer Brands business unit, supporting Laundry & Home Care and Hair products. The role leads pilot plant operations and produces product forms for technical and consumer testing, then translates pilot learning into production equipment requirements and process designs. The engineer partners with plant technical teams and cross-functional leaders to support investment planning, project timelines, innovation, and new product launches.

The position leads production scale-up, on-site process validation, and technology transfer, and communicates data-based recommendations to management. It also identifies process improvement and optimization opportunities, develops models to explain and predict process performance, and interprets data to guide action. The role includes hands-on work with equipment, chemical and waste management, and product preparation for consumer studies, sales samples, and OTC stability batches.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline; Chemical Engineering is preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing, R+D, or pilot plant environments is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of liquid-process scale-up, statistical process control, and basic engineering principles.
• Hands-on mechanical expertise with equipment setup and maintenance.
• Collaborative, positive approach and enthusiasm for learning.

Nice To Haves

• Chemical Engineering degree.
• Experience in manufacturing, R+D, or pilot plant environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead pilot plant operations and produce diverse product forms for technical and consumer testing.
• Translate pilot learning into production equipment requirements and partner with plant technical teams on investment planning, project timelines, and process design.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to confirm technical capability and readiness for innovation and new product launches.
• Lead production scale-up, on-site process validation, and technology transfer to sustain process performance.
• Communicate clear, data-based recommendations to management to support timely decisions.
• Identify continuous improvement and optimization opportunities, develop models to explain and predict process performance, and interpret data to guide actions.
• Develop experimental protocols and lead pilot plant and selected full-scale trials across the Henkel Consumer Brands supply chain network.
• Set up and maintain equipment; manage chemicals and waste; and prepare products for consumer studies, sales samples, and OTC stability batches.
• Recommend equipment and process improvements to meet safety, quality, production, cost, and BCT objectives.

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, and wellbeing plans starting on day 1.
• Paid time off, including sick, vacation, holiday, and volunteer time.
• Flexible and hybrid work policies, depending on role.
• Vacation buy/sell program.
• 401(k) matching.
• Employee share plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares.
• Annual performance bonus.
• Service awards.
• Student loan reimbursement.
• 12-week gender-neutral parental leave, up to 20 weeks for parents giving birth.
• Fertility support.
• Adoption and surrogacy reimbursement.
• Discounted child and elderly care.
• Scholarships.
• National and international growth opportunities.
• Access to thousands of skills development courses.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

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