Research and Development Process Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced engineering leader with a systems mindset to drive scale-up initiatives across Eastman's business. This individual will design and execute strategies that translate new products, process technologies, and manufacturing opportunities into reliable, commercial-scale reality. As an R&D Chemical Process Engineer, you will act as both a technical and execution leader, responsible for connecting product development, manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, procurement, and internal or external manufacturing partners to ensure scale-up efforts succeed from concept through implementation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute scale-up strategies for new products, process technologies, manufacturing opportunities, asset expansions, and toll manufacturing projects.
• Integrate safety, environmental, quality, regulatory, and operational requirements into scale-up plans, readiness assessments, critical paths, risk evaluations, and implementation timelines.
• Assess manufacturing readiness, identify technical and organizational risks, and lead mitigation efforts to address barriers to scale-up, qualification, startup, and commercial production.
• Lead technology transfer across laboratory, pilot, demonstration, toll manufacturing, and commercial environments.
• Plan and coordinate scale-up trials by defining objectives, success criteria, decision criteria, data requirements, and cross-functional resource needs.
• Apply chemical engineering, mixing, reaction engineering, and practical manufacturing principles to support process scale-up, troubleshooting, and implementation.
• Influence business decisions by assessing technical risks, project timelines, and the likelihood of successful outcomes.
• Build effective relationships with R&D, manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, procurement, suppliers, tollers, customers, and other external partners.
• Communicate project status, risks, recommendations, key decisions, and implementation needs to project teams and leadership, balancing technical rigor, cost, schedule, practicality, and business risk.
• Capture and share lessons learned, technical documentation, and best practices to improve Eastman’s scale-up processes and organizational knowledge.
• Contribute to scale-up frameworks, readiness methodologies, implementation tools, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor less experienced scale-up leaders and support the development of organizational capabilities in process implementation and manufacturing readiness.

Qualifications

• BS or higher degree in Chemical Engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant industrial experience required.
• Demonstrated track record in manufacturing, process development, process engineering, technology implementation, scale-up, or related technical roles.
• Hands-on experience with mixing operations and/or reaction engineering is a strong plus.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical projects, with strong communication and influence skills across all levels.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
• Experience planning and executing pilot, demonstration, startup, or qualification campaigns either internally and/or at a toll manufacturer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with project management and risk management methodologies.
• Experience working with external suppliers, tollers, or customers.
• Experience supporting manufacturing startups and operational readiness activities.
• Exposure to working across multiple businesses, functions, or global organizations.

Benefits

Your total rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. When you join Eastman, you gain access to an exceptional suite of programs designed to protect your health, grow your wealth, and fuel your career.

• Compensation & Incentives: Base pay plus performance-based incentive opportunities.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, prescription-drug, and dental coverage; Health Savings Account option; voluntary benefits including vision, optional life, and critical-illness protection; holistic wellness support including financial planning, family-building assistance, parental leave, and Employee Assistance Program counseling.
• Retirement & Financial Strategies: 401(k) with company match and additional annual retirement contribution.
• Time Away: Eleven paid holidays, one personal day, paid time off, and paid vacation.
• Growth & Development: Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs.

At Eastman, we invest in the whole you—so you can bring your best self to work every day and build a future you’re proud of.