Process and Product Development Engineer

We are seeking an ambitious Process & Product Development Engineer to join our R&D Directorate. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in shaping the future of our manufacturing footprint. You will lead process design, scale-up activities, and commissioning efforts for major new investment projects, while optimizing our existing processes from chemistry to final product execution. If you believe you are the ideal candidate for our role, we would be pleased to meet you.

https://www.aksa-carbon.com/tr/

More About This Role

What you need to know about this position:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, or a related field.
• Preferably an MSc degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Process Design, or Equipment Design.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of hands-on industrial experience in process development, process design, commissioning, start-up, optimization and troubleshooting of continuous chemical processing facilities.
• Demonstrated experience in equipment sizing, process simulation, equipment commissioning, line start-up, and vendor management for major industrial investments.
• In-depth understanding of a polymerization mechanisms, polymer rheology, wet/dry-jet wet spinning dynamics, and thermal stabilization kinetics.
• Comprehensive knowledge of mass and heat transfer principles in high-temperature ovens and reaction vessels.
• Good knowledge of MS Office, MS Project, and statistical analysis tools (DoE, Minitab, SPC) to identify trends, solve problems, and support decision-making.
• Proficiency in process engineering software, and familiar with engineering design tools. Capable to read/draft process control diagrams (PFDs, P&IDs).
• Good understanding of process safety principles, with experience in HAZOP and similar process safety studies being an advantage.
• Strong project management mindset, excellent cross-functional teamwork, adaptability in fast-paced commissioning environments, and a structured approach to problem-solving.
• Advanced/Professional level of spoken and written English for interacting with international technology providers, engineering contractors, and equipment vendors.
• Residing or be willing to relocate to Yalova, İzmit, or the Anatolian side of Istanbul.
• Having no obstacle for travelling inland or abroad

Job Description

• Lead and support conceptual, basic, and detailed process engineering designs (P&IDs, PFDs, mass and energy balances, and related process calculations) for greenfield or expansion investment projects.
• Define process requirements, prepare technical specifications, and assist in the selection, sizing and technical evaluation of process equipment and instrumentation.
• Evaluate technical bids from equipment vendors and provide reccomendations in alignment with cross-functional teams.
• Calculate raw material, chemical, and utility consumptions for alternative investment options and process variations.
• Actively execute on-site commissioning, cold/hot testing, equipment qualification, and initial start-up phases for new polymerization, spinning, oxidation, and carbonization equipment, ensuring a seamless handover to operations.
• Scale up precursor chemistry and spinning innovations from laboratory and pilot scale into robust commercial-scale manufacturing operations.
• Design and optimize continuous polymerization, dope preparation, degassing, and wet / dry-jet wet spinning processes to maximize precursor density, molecular orientation, and structural homogeneity.
• Formulate and refine recipe profiles for thermal stabilization (oxidation) and high-temperature carbonization, optimizing reaction kinetics, fiber tension, and energy efficiency.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise pilot- and plant-scale trials using Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology.
• Act as the technical process owner for assigned areas by tracking KPIs (capacity, yield, waste, conversion, quality), investigating daily process deviations, and implementing long-term corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Diagnose complex operational bottlenecks, filament breakage events, or unwanted side-reactions across precursor and carbon fiber lines.
• Identify and execute cost-reduction, yield-improvement, waste-reduction, and capacity-expansion initiatives in close collaboration with Manufacturing, Quality, and Maintenance teams.
• Lead or participate in Process Safety Management (PSM) activities, including HAZOP studies, for both new investment designs and existing line modifications.
• Prepare, review, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process control narratives, and operational documentation for new and modified equipment.
• Ensure all process design, commissioning, and operational activities comply with company standards, quality systems, and EHS regulations.

What We Offer

• New employees are provided with accommodation at the company’s social facilities for up to 6 months to support their relocation and onboarding process.
• Service Opportunity: On the Yalova, Kocaeli, Bursa and İstanbul (Anatolian Side)