Process Engineer (Polymers)

HTI is recruiting two experienced Process Engineers for a global manufacturing company at their Spartanburg, SC plant. These are full-time, direct hire, salaried positions, and the company offers comprehensive benefits. This facility produces specialty polymers/polyesters.

• Salary range is $85,000 - $150,000 / year, depending on experience and education
• Work hours: Monday – Friday 8am-5pm or 7am-4pm
• Local candidates are preferred, but relocation allowance is available

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Polymer, Mechanical, Manufacturing or Materials Engineering
• 3+ years of manufacturing experience with the below job duties; must have experience with polymers, polyesters, plastics, and/or resins
• Must have experience with extrusion systems and polymerization reactors; experience with compounding lines and pelletizing operations preferred
• Strong understanding of chemical process operations and polymer manufacturing processes
• Experience analyzing manufacturing data and implementing process improvements
• Knowledge of process safety principles and industrial safety practices
• Strong communication, problem-solving and analytical skills
• SAP or similar ERP experience
• Familiarity with Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Lean/Six Sigma certification or training
• Experience with Minitab, Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, JMP, or similar analytical tools.

Job Duties:

Support and optimize manufacturing operations within a specialty polymers production facility. This role is responsible for improving process efficiency, product quality, safety performance, and manufacturing reliability while supporting the production of high-performance polymer products used in diverse industrial and consumer applications.

Process Optimization & Manufacturing Excellence

• Monitor and optimize polymerization, extrusion, pelletizing, and solid-state polymerization operations.
• Analyze production data to improve yield, throughput, process capability, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Identify and implement process improvements that reduce waste, increase productivity, and enhance product consistency.
• Support process scale-up activities from pilot production to full commercial manufacturing.
• Develop process models, mass balances, and production performance metrics.

Production Support & Troubleshooting

• Coordinate with production operators and supervisors, providing daily support to manufacturing operations.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives.
• Investigate process deviations, non-conforming material, equipment issues, and customer quality concerns.
• Support production startups, shutdowns, grade changes, and new product launches.

Quality & Product Performance

• Partner with Quality and Technical Service teams to ensure products meet customer specifications.
• Evaluate critical polymer properties including viscosity, molecular weight, melting point, density, particle size, and mechanical performance characteristics.
• Support product qualification efforts and process validation activities.
• Drive initiatives that improve product consistency and reduce quality defects.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance with all company safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHA), HAZOP studies, Management of Change (MOC), and Process Safety Management (PSM) programs.
• Identify and mitigate process safety risks associated with chemical reactions, raw materials, and polymer processing equipment.

Capital Projects & Engineering Support

• Support capital improvement and equipment installation projects.
• Develop process flow diagrams (PFDs), P&IDs, equipment specifications, and operating procedures.
• Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, contractors, and equipment vendors.
• Participate in commissioning and startup activities for new equipment and process modifications.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities related to raw materials, utilities, production efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Enhance process reliability and reduce manufacturing downtime.
• Support sustainability initiatives focused on energy efficiency, recycling, and emissions reduction.

Benefits include:

• Medical/vision/dental coverage
• Annual bonus opportunity
• 401K with company match
• PTO
• Paid holidays
• EAP
• HSA/FSA
• Life insurance
• Fitness, health and wellness discounts
• Growth and development opportunities