Process Development Engineer

APL Engineered Materials, Inc. – Urbana, Illinois
Full-Time | On-Site

APL Engineered Materials, Inc. manufactures specialty inorganic solid chemicals used in conventional lighting, radiation detection, and energy-related applications. We are seeking a hands-on Process Development Engineer to join our growing team in Urbana, IL.

If you enjoy spending most of your time in the lab, working directly with equipment, tools, and chemical processes — and you thrive on experimentation, data analysis, and scaling ideas into real manufacturing solutions — we would like to hear from you.

Please note: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship, including H-1B.

Position Summary

The Process Development Engineer supports new product introduction and scale-up from prototype through manufacturing. This is a hands-on engineering role involving equipment design, process optimization, and direct collaboration with R&D and production teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, install, and commission manufacturing equipment to support new product and scale-up development

• Collaborate with R&D scientists and chemists to develop and optimize chemical processes

• Produce and evaluate test samples during development activities

• Analyze production processes and eliminate bottlenecks to improve efficiency

• Support and improve existing manufacturing equipment and processes

• Develop practical and robust process controls and analytics

• Create clear documentation, reports, and procedures to enable smooth transfer to manufacturing

• Maintain a safe, accident-free work environment and follow all company safety protocols

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

• 1–3 years of relevant industry experience

• Experience with:

  • Process flow diagrams (PFDs)

  • Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)

  • Process controls

  • Solids and fluids handling/mixing

  • Heat transfer

• Ability to scale processes from prototype to manufacturing

• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Proficient in MS Office and AutoCAD

This position is not suitable for candidates with a PhD.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

Benefits

• Competitive salary

• 401(k) with company match

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Life and AD&D Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Paid Time Off

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Health Club Reimbursement

Direct hire only — no recruiters please.
APL Engineered Materials, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8-hour day shift
Work Location: In person

Salary : $70,000 - $90,000