Chemical Engineer

About the role

The R&D Chemical Engineer provides essential technical leadership and hands‑on support within the Formulation Development team, bridging the gap between research innovation and manufacturing execution. This position works in close collaboration with both R&D scientists and manufacturing personnel to facilitate the successful scale‑up of new formulations from laboratory concept to pilot‑scale production. While not directly managing production staff, the engineer establishes, maintains, and optimizes the bench‑to‑pilot scale production laboratory, ensuring smooth technology transfer and effective communication throughout development and production phases. The role drives process improvements, supports the transition of innovative products to manufacturing, and helps sustain high standards of operational excellence and product quality.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a fully functional scale‑up laboratory, ensuring equipment is properly set up, calibrated, and safe.
• Design and perform formulation development experiments to optimize processes for efficient scale‑up and manufacture.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams for smooth knowledge transfer from R&D to manufacturing, including on‑site support as needed.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process issues in pilot and commercial production, adjusting mixing order, shear profile, and add‑rate to meet specifications and optimize worker safety.
• Maintain accurate documentation of experiments, protocols, and all manufacturing activities; generate batch records and Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
• Plan, execute, and document small‑scale production runs (1–40 L) using various laboratory equipment and conduct in‑process controls (pH, specific gravity, viscosity, particle size, visual inspection, stability screening).
• Stage raw materials, verify identity and traceability, and package, label, and ship samples according to SOPs; manage pilot lot inventory and sample retention.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards, following chemical handling procedures, PPE requirements, and GHS/SDS guidelines.
• Work with chemists to translate bench‑scale methods into repeatable pilot SOPs and recommend process or equipment improvements.
• Uphold 5S principles in the pilot area, maintain preventive maintenance logs, and perform basic calibrations.
• Contribute to S&OP hand‑off data, including yields, cycle times, critical parameters, and safety notes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (field relevant to chemical engineering or formulation science).
• 5+ years of work experience in plant nutrition formulation/development desired.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to talk or hear; frequently required to sit and use hands to touch, handle, or feel.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time.

Working Environment

The noise level is usually moderate. The employee works in both a laboratory and a manufacturing environment and may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and vibration. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.