R&D Engineering Specialist

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.

About You

Dow has an exciting opportunity for a R&D Engineering Specialist located in Collegeville, PA .

The Research and Development (R&D) Engineering Specialist in the Coating Materials Process R&D pilot facility is responsible for the technical performance of the pilot facility and the associated technology development. The pilot facility supports the development and scale-up of new processes for emulsion or solution polymer products. You will be responsible for the facility’s mechanical, electrical, and process control assets and their reliable operation. This includes hands-on troubleshooting and maintenance of equipment, process control systems, and peripherals. You will support daily pilot plant operations per need, including hands-on emulsion polymerization experimentation. You will also lead capability and technology development efforts, evaluating and implementing capabilities according to business needs. Heavily featured are the understanding and application of chemistry and engineering aspects in polymer technology, leadership of capability maintenance and improvement, and cross-functional teamwork.

This position is located at Dow Northeast Technology Center in Collegeville, PA, and is part of the Dow Coating Materials Process R&D organization.

Primary responsibilities

- Develop and apply knowledge in emulsion polymerization chemistry, processing, and engineering fundamentals aligned to the function of the pilot facility
- Support and ensure uninterrupted function of all pilot facility assets – equipment, instrumentation, and digital assets
- Support daily pilot plant operations, maintenance, and troubleshooting, including hands-on emulsion polymerization experimentation and data analysis
- Develop and apply expertise in Emerson DeltaV process control system function including troubleshooting and programming
- Maintain and advance digital capabilities of the facility, including client website interface, data logging/databasing/reporting, and others
- Oversee and maintain Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), operating procedures, and other relevant facility information and records
- Identify, scope, and lead capability advancements within the pilot facility from ideation through implementation
- Manage inventory and procurement of lab materials, supplies, and chemicals
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to the team. Conduct technical personnel training and maintain high-quality training documentation
- Identify, lead, and ensure resolution and documentation of engineering, process control, operational, EH&S, or logistical items
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders and internal clients across functions and disciplines
- Develop familiarity and accurately apply analytical techniques as related to polymer characterization
- Understand the “nuts and bolts” as well as the conceptual, effectively bridge between pilot asset function and engineering aspects
- Deliver effective documentation and presentations on project work
- Model and lead by example to foster team member morale. Build culture that values diversity and promotes respect, inclusion, cooperation, and responsibility. Effectively resolve conflict without compromising relationships

Required Qualifications

- A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or science related field is required
- A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process

Your knowledge, skills, and abilities include

- Excellent technical, organizational, and troubleshooting skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to scope and execute projects and reduce uncertainty toward actionable outcomes
- Ability to balance competing priorities and bias for action
- Experience with equipment troubleshooting and maintenance is preferred
- Experience with process automation tools like Emerson DeltaV and other digital assets is preferred

Your skills

- Process Engineering: Applies engineering principles to design, operate, troubleshoot, and improve chemical processes and pilot-scale equipment, including process scale-up and technology development.
- Polymerization: Applies polymer chemistry and processing knowledge, particularly emulsion and solution polymerization, to conduct experimentation, analyze results, and support development and scale-up of polymer products.
- Process Control: Uses process control and automation systems, particularly Emerson DeltaV, to monitor, program, troubleshoot, and optimize pilot plant processes and equipment.
- Equipment Troubleshooting: Diagnoses and resolves mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and operational issues to maintain reliable operation of pilot plant equipment and supporting systems.
- Technical Leadership: Provides technical direction, leads capability improvements and engineering projects, mentors and trains team members, and collaborates cross-functionally to implement solutions.

Note: this position does not offer relocation assistance.

Benefits – What Dow offers you

We invest in you.

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee:

- Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives.
- Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it.
- Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals.  Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).

- Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only). Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.

- Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
- Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building.
- Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs.
- Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
- Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
- Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
- Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation.
- Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
- On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
- Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
- Additionally, some of our locations might offer: Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
- Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
- Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting   www.dow.com .

As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com .

Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.