Production Engineer II

SNF is a specialty chemical group whose products, water-soluble polymers, contribute to treating, recycling, preserving water, saving energy, and reducing carbon footprint. A pioneer in soft chemistry, SNF has long been present on all continents, employing 9,000 people, including more than 2,700+ in the USA. Innovation and movement toward a cleaner, less carbon-intensive world accelerates SNF’s growth.

SNF is seeking a Production Engineer II to provide technical leadership for assigned manufacturing processes. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations by maintaining quality and safety standards while improving equipment effectiveness and optimizing operating costs. The Production Engineer II works independently with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams to troubleshoot complex process issues, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and implement sustainable solutions that drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, reliability, throughput, and cost.

• Monitor and analyze process and equipment performance to ensure manufacturing operations meet safety, quality, environmental, regulatory, and production requirements. Identify, prioritize, and implement corrective actions to address process deficiencies and improve plant performance.
• Own the technical performance of assigned manufacturing processes by monitoring key performance indicators, identifying improvement opportunities, and implementing sustainable solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, throughput, and operating cost.
• Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process from initiation through implementation, including Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), procedure updates, training, and technical documentation.
• Independently troubleshoot process and equipment issues by analyzing operating data, identifying root causes, and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Develop and implement engineering solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, production efficiency, capacity, and operating costs.
• Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), audits, inspections, and other process safety activities. Drive assigned corrective actions to completion and verify their effectiveness.
• Develop, maintain, and improve operating procedures, process documentation, and technical training materials.
• Support the Process Engineering team by preparing P&ID markups, isolation drawings, and other engineering documentation associated with process improvements and MOCs.
• Support and promote Process Safety Management (PSM) programs by ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory, environmental, and company requirements and identifying opportunities to strengthen process safety performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other structured problem-solving methodologies to improve safety, quality, reliability, throughput, and operating costs.
• Lead and support research and development activities, process trials, plant start-ups, shutdowns, and process optimization efforts.
• Develop and deliver technical training to operators, supervisors, and other plant personnel to improve process understanding and operational performance.
• Develop and implement improvements to preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs in collaboration with Operations and Maintenance.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, execute improvement projects, and achieve plant objectives.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers and support their professional development.
• Perform other engineering-related duties in support of plant operations and continuous improvement.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's Degree - BS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent degree is required.

EXPERIENCE:

• 3-5 years of chemical manufacturing experience is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering principles, process troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to independently analyze and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and process issues.
• Working knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) systems, including Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), and incident investigations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze process data, make sound engineering decisions, and implement sustainable technical solutions.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, lead projects, and drive assigned work to completion.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an OSHA PSM-regulated chemical manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS); Yokogawa experience preferred.
• Experience with SAP or other enterprise maintenance or manufacturing systems.
• Experience developing operating procedures, technical documentation, and operator training materials.
• Demonstrated experience leading Management of Change (MOC) activities, process improvement projects, or incident investigations.

BENEFITS:

• Competitive Salary
• Medical Benefits
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Vacation Days
• Incidental/Sick Days
• Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Development & Training

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.