Chemical Engineer

People Architects is recruiting a Chemical Engineer on behalf of our client, a specialty materials manufacturer based in Cleveland, Ohio. The company specializes in chemical manufacturing, piloting, and research and development of customer formulations across diverse markets. Its capabilities include wet precipitation and solid-state chemical processing, ranging from laboratory-scale development and scale-up to specialty and bulk production.

The Chemical Engineer will play a key role in scaling chemical and specialty materials processes from laboratory and pilot stages to full-scale manufacturing at our client's Cleveland facility. This role also supports process design and optimization, partnering closely with operations, R&D, EHS, and maintenance to improve product quality, enhance throughput, and ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the scale-up of new products from laboratory and pilot stages to full-scale manufacturing, including process design, equipment specification, and operating parameter definition.
• Lead process engineering support for assigned production areas, including troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and day-to-day technical guidance for operations.
• Develop, optimize, and document batch and continuous processes for rare earth and specialty material production, including reaction, separation, drying, and finishing steps.
• Analyze process data to identify trends, improve yields, reduce variability, and drive energy and raw material efficiency.
• Author and maintain process documentation (PFDs, P&IDs, operating procedures, standard work, control plans, and process safety information).
• Support capital projects by defining process requirements, performing material and energy balances, selecting equipment, and supporting commissioning and startup.
• Partner with EHS to ensure compliance with process safety, environmental, and occupational health regulations and internal standards.
• Participate in HAZOPs and other process hazard analyses, implement recommendations, and help maintain a strong process safety culture.
• Collaborate with quality and R&D teams to resolve product nonconformances and to qualify raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.
• Provide training and technical coaching to operators and technicians on new processes, procedures, and equipment.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related discipline required; advanced degree is a plus.
• 0–3 years of experience in chemical engineering, specialty materials, or related process manufacturing. Manufacturing experience is strongly preferred, including internships or co-op assignments, particularly in chemical manufacturing or other process manufacturing environments.
• Solid understanding of core chemical engineering principles: reaction engineering, thermodynamics, mass and heat transfer, and unit operations.
• Experience with batch and/or continuous processes, including reactors, filtration, evaporation, crystallization, drying, and solids handling.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, build simple models or calculations, and convert insights into practical plant improvements.
• Familiarity with process safety concepts (PHA/HAZOP, MOC, PSM elements) and safe work practices in a chemical plant.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, EHS, and commercial/R&D stakeholders.
• Proficiency with common engineering tools (e.g., Excel, process simulators or calculation software) and comfort working in an on-site manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in rare earths, inorganic materials, or other specialty materials is highly desirable.
• Background in solids processing, kilns/furnaces, or high-temperature operations.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement or operational excellence initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar).
• Familiarity with SPC, DOE, and other statistical tools for process optimization.

Work Environment

• On-site role in a chemical and specialty materials manufacturing facility.
• Requires time in production areas with use of appropriate PPE and adherence to safety procedures.

Additional Information

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The company does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability

No external agencies/3rd parties.