Capital Project Development Engineer

About the role

Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.

The Capital Project Development Engineer (PDE) is responsible for leading the development of capital projects through Front‑End Loading (FEL 0‑2) in accordance with the Grace Project Methodology (GPM). The PDE serves as the single point of accountability for project development and is responsible for transforming business opportunities into well‑defined, executable projects that satisfy technical, operational, financial, safety, and strategic objectives. The PDE leads cross‑functional teams through project initiation, alternatives analysis, and conceptual design while ensuring project scope, business value, risk, cost, schedule, and execution strategy mature appropriately through each gate. The role requires strong leadership through influence, technical breadth, business acumen, and the ability to drive alignment across multiple functions and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead assigned capital projects through FEL 0, FEL 1, and FEL 2.
• Serve as the overall project leader responsible for coordinating all project development activities and deliverables.
• Assemble, align, and lead cross‑functional project teams including Operations, Process Technology, Engineering, EHS, Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Commercial representatives.
• Facilitate project decision‑making and ensure alignment among stakeholders.
• Partner with business sponsors to clearly define project objectives, success criteria, and strategic alignment.
• Develop and maintain project charters, business cases, and financial justifications.
• Validate project benefits, assumptions, risks, and alternatives prior to major investment decisions.
• Ensure project objectives remain aligned with business priorities throughout project development.
• Lead structured alternatives analyses to identify the optimum technical and business solution.
• Challenge assumptions and evaluate opportunities for scope optimization, standardization, debottlenecking, asset utilization, and capital efficiency.
• Develop and maintain the Process Basis of Design and Project Design Scope.
• Drive technical and commercial decisions using objective data and risk‑based evaluation.
• Coordinate development of FEL cost estimates, schedules, risk assessments, and execution plans.
• Ensure project risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies are identified, documented, and actively managed.
• Establish action plans to address project gaps and risks prior to gate reviews.
• Monitor project development progress and ensure deliverables are completed to required quality standards.
• Prepare and present gate review packages and recommendations.
• Ensure all applicable GPM deliverables are completed and meet project quality requirements.
• Facilitate independent reviews, peer reviews, and readiness assessments.
• Support gate decisions and incorporate resulting actions into project plans.
• Deliver a fully defined project package at Gate 2 suitable for transition into FEL 3 and execution.
• Ensure project scope, cost, schedule, risks, stakeholder alignment, and execution strategy are adequately developed before handoff.
• Support knowledge transfer to execution teams and maintain project continuity.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in project engineering, process technology, or capital projects.
• Working knowledge of front‑end loading, project economics, estimating, scheduling, risk management, and project execution.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer‑sponsored work authorization (no visa sponsorship).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in chemical, petrochemical, catalyst, refining, specialty materials, or related process industries.
• Experience leading projects through multiple FEL phases.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional teams and managing complex technical projects.
• Experience with business case development and capital authorization processes.
• Strong communication, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence decisions across organizations without direct authority.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and Disability
• Grace Wellness Program
• Flexible Workplace
• Retirement Plans 401(k) Company Match
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Company Donation Match Program

Pay

Annual Wage Range: $105,472.00 – $145,024.00

Other Compensation: Eligibility for the Short‑Term Incentive program and other applicable bonuses.