Process Design/Optimization Chemical Engineer

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit  www.eastman.com .

Responsibilities

The Process Design and Optimization (PDO) group is part of Worldwide Engineering & Construction's Process Engineering and Optimization organization. PDO applies first-principles chemical engineering knowledge to support innovation, capital projects, operating assets, environmental initiatives, and technology development across Eastman. Core capabilities include process simulation, process synthesis, techno-economic analysis, process optimization, and physical properties expertise.

This position offers the opportunity to work on some of Eastman's most challenging and impactful technical problems. Team members engage early in the development of new technologies, influence major business and investment decisions, and help shape the future of Eastman's manufacturing processes. PDO has a long history of developing recognized technical experts and providing opportunities for engineers to build broad influence across the company through technical leadership.

The Process Design and Optimization (PDO) group has an opening for a Chemical Engineer with experience in process engineering, process development, scale-up, or process improvement activities. The successful candidate will leverage chemical engineering fundamentals, process simulation, and data-driven decision making to support innovation initiatives, capital projects, and operational improvement efforts across the corporation.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Apply first-principles engineering and data analysis to solve complex technical problems.
• Generate process design information including process flow diagrams, heat and material balances, techno-economic evaluations and supporting engineering calculations.
• Develop expertise in one or more PDO capability areas such as process simulation, process synthesis, optimization, environmental calculations, or physical properties.
• Support capital projects through process design, technology development, engineering consultation, and environmental calculations in support of permitting.
• Support Eastman’s adherence to environmental regulations and operating permits by performing environmental calculations for batch and continuous processes in support of operating permit renewals and everyday operations.
• Support innovation and technology-development initiatives through process design, technical evaluations, and engineering analysis.
• Share knowledge, mentor colleagues, and contribute to the long-term technical growth of the organization.
• Serve as a technical interface between PDO and Technology or Scale-Up & Process Innovation organizations.
• Develop, maintain, and apply process simulations to evaluate process performance, identify opportunities, and support project decision making.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to improve process performance, energy efficiency, reliability, and business value.
• Work with cross-functional teams that include process improvement, scale-up, environmental operations, manufacturing personnel, capital project teams, and external contractors.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in process engineering, process improvement, process development, scale-up, manufacturing support, or related technical roles.
• Experience using Aspen process simulation software or comparable process modeling tools.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics and chemical engineering fundamentals.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems using data, engineering principles, and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated record of delivering meaningful business value through technical contributions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across organizations and disciplines.
• Demonstrated learning agility and ability to quickly develop expertise in new technologies and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with one or more of the following:
o process synthesis and conceptual process design.
o supporting innovation, technology development, or scale-up activities.
o supporting capital projects.
o performing techno-economic analysis.
o identifying and implementing process optimization opportunities.
• Experience working across multiple manufacturing technologies or business areas.
• Commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and helping others succeed through teaching and mentoring.

Desired Attributes

• Intellectual curiosity and a passion for understanding how things work.
• Desire to become a long-term technical expert and steward of organizational knowledge.
• Ability to influence decisions through technical credibility and data-driven recommendations.
• Willingness to challenge assumptions respectfully and constructively.
• Commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and helping others succeed.
• Interest in solving difficult, high-impact technical problems that influence Eastman's future.

NOTE:

Eastman will not accept applicants for this offered position who require visa sponsorship, including those whose status is F-1 visa OPT who subsequently would require ongoing visa sponsorship.

Eastman is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a highly engaged workforce, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.