Job Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Engineering Manager to join our team at our Wilmington, NC manufacturing facility. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, this role serves as the site leader for Process Safety Management and capital project execution. The Engineering Manager is responsible for coordinating the sites PSM program, developing and executing the 3-Year Capital Plan, and leading a team consisting of an Early Career Project Engineer and contractor Project Managers to deliver safe, compliant, and reliable project outcomes.
This role is ideal for an experienced engineering leader who is comfortable owning technical decisions, leading capital projects, and partnering effectively with Operations and Maintenance. This role provides technical authority, governance, and coaching for site engineering activities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, mentor, and develop the site Project Engineering organization, including an Early Career Project Engineer and a team of contractor Project Managers supporting capital project execution, providing technical direction, project governance, coaching, and performance oversight.
- Develop project execution capabilities, engineering work processes, and project management standards that support safe, efficient, and reliable capital project delivery.
- Serve as the site engineering authority for capital projects, process safety, engineering standards, and management of change activities, ensuring technical integrity and regulatory compliance.
- Partner with Project Engineering and Project Managers while retaining authority for technical scope and change control.
- Own the Site 3-Year Capital Plan and capital project portfolio, including project identification, prioritization, FEL development, budgeting, execution, and startup while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget.
- Serve as the Site PSM Coordinator with overall responsibility for Process Safety Management program leadership and compliance. Ensure PHAs, DHAs, MOCs, incident investigations, action item closures, and regulatory compliance activities are completed effectively and in accordance with OSHA and company requirements.
- Collaborate with Operations to translate operating needs into sound engineering solutions and with Maintenance & Reliability to eliminate repeat failures.
- Exercise authority to stop work for technical, safety, or PSM concerns when required.
- Foster a culture where safety is a core value by proactively identifying risks, establishing clear expectations, and demonstrating commitment to safety through actions and decisions.
- Retains final approval authority for engineering standards, PSM technical decisions, and capital project scope, design, and execution deliverables.
What This Role Does NOT Own
- Daily plant operation or shift supervision
- Control room or field execution
- Craft labor or contractor supervision beyond engineering scope
Qualifications
- 8+ years of engineering experience in chemical or process manufacturing
- 3+ years of engineering leadership or supervisory experience
- Demonstrated experience managing capital project portfolios and delivering projects greater than $1MM
- Strong knowledge of OSHA Process Safety Management (29 CFR 1910.119) requirements
- Experience serving as PSM Coordinator, PSM Leader, or equivalent process safety leadership role in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading PHAs, MOCs, risk assessments, and process safety improvement initiatives
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and contractors simultaneously
- Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Education
Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering
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Why Join Us?
- Be a technical leader at a critical manufacturing site with clear authority and accountability
- Work for a global leader in chemical manufacturing
- Partner closely with Operations and Maintenance while shaping long‑term plant reliability
- Opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact on plant safety, performance, and design quality
If you are an experienced engineering leader who values technical rigor, clear decision‑making, and collaboration, we would love to hear from you.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals including surfactants, polymers, as well as specialty ingredients that go into consumer, household, and institutional products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has 19 global manufacturing locations and over 2,400 employees. We have a strong record of growth. Our growth allows us to provide meaningful career opportunities and stability to our team members. We have big goals at Stepan and know every team member will be crucial to achieving our objectives. Regardless of function, we are looking for team members who bring with them a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment.
We celebrate diversity at Stepan and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.