R&D Process Development Engineer - Plastic Additives

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

POSITION TITLE

R&D Process Development Engineer – Plastics Additives 

POSITION OVERVIEW

This role is focused on new product development for the Plastics Additives Business, with a focus on process development.  Additionally, support for process improvement/reinvention and manufacturing support for existing products is in scope.  Engagement with internal and external manufacturing partners to pilot and scale new chemistries and processes is required.  Limited travel may be required to support ongoing project work or to provide customer or manufacturing support.

The individual will report directly to the R&D leader and will be located at our Corporate Headquarters in Spartanburg, SC.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with R&D chemists and engineers to develop conceptual process flow diagrams (PFDs) and heat & mass balances based on laboratory data and experiments.
• Develop estimates of total product cost in alignment with Division processes, and revise throughout the project lifecycle. 
• Develop process models and simulations, including sensitivity analysis for cost impact.
• Develop P&IDs and related engineering drawings for lab and kilo-scale processes.
• Translate engineering drawings into a Bill of Materials and specifications sheets for lab equipment and instrumentation.
• Create formal cost estimates and capital funds requests for lab-scale processes.
• Procure materials and construct lab and bench-scale systems within the allocated budget and schedule.
• Operate the lab and bench-scale systems to evaluate route options and generate process data for process scale-up and design. 
• Collaborate with the Chemical Division Process Development team and external engineering partners on full-scale process designs and estimates.
• Create technical packages to transfer technology to internal and external manufacturing partners. 
• Support pilot trails and scale-up work at internal and external plant sites. 
• Create and maintain documentation for equipment, processes, and technical packages for internal and external use.
• Provide accurate plans and status reports to the respective project manager.

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• BS or MS in Chemical Engineering
• 3+ years of experience in chemical process engineering.
• Experience with distillation, hydrogenation, batch and continuous chemical reactors.
• Experience with equipment sizing and specification.
• Experiment with instrumentation and automation of lab-scale reactors and related equipment. 
• Familiarity with ASPEN process simulation.

QUALIFICATIONS – PREFERRED

• Experience leading a project to completion
• 5-10 years in a manufacturing environment or in process scale-up or development organization

The successful candidate will have strengths in the following:

• Working independently and in a cross-functional environment
• Experience in a manufacturing environment is highly valued
• Excellent problem-solving abilities
• Data-analysis and use of statistical methods (such as JMP); design-of-experiments
• Flexible, high energy level, disciplined, high initiative
• Written and verbal communication, including solid presentation skills

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.