Advanced Engineer - Process Technology

We are seeking process engineering candidates to lead the development and implementation of new and improved chemical processes and products in a broad range of silicone intermediate and finished product areas. The engineer will lead programs with the intent of dramatically increasing product yields, reducing energy usage and waste, improving product quality and service, lowering raw material costs, and driving overall sustainability. The engineer will lead programs and manage projects to research, develop, and advance new products and process technology from the laboratory scale, through the pilot scale, into commercial implementation, using experimentation and statistical tools to design and optimize practical manufacturing processes.

The position will be in the Process Technology Team located in Ohta, Japan belonging to Asia Process Technology Team. The position will likely require light travel (domestic and foreign) to facilitate growth and improved productivity within Momentive manufacturing sites globally.

Tasks and responsibilities of the position:

• Lead process development and scale-up efforts for new products, processes, process optimizations in NPI projects, and product translations between product assets or sites.
• Work with R&D chemists and other engineers to develop and optimize the process for scale-up, including improved safety, reduced cost, improved yield, improved quality, reduced cycle time, and evaluation of process alternatives, including Ohta SMI-0 product maintenance supports.
• Develop product and capital cost estimates for new products, new or improved processes, or translations of existing products to different processes.
• Provide leadership of process development, optimization, productivity, and process safety improvement programs for a wide range of silicone intermediate and finished products in support of productivity, quality, product translation, and new product introduction initiatives.
• Build a strong internal global network with multiple functions such as Technology, Operations, Supply Chain, Sourcing, and Business teams to share best practices.
• Support and lead positive safety culture change. Lead management of change and safety review processes for experimental, pilot, and plant trials. Conduct Lean 5S activities and support improvement to EHS practices.
• Keep abreast of state of the art chemical reaction and process technologies.
• Conduct raw material and intermediates qualification studies.
• Support of manufacturing through key troubleshooting investigations, optimizations, and startups.
• Lead capital projects for laboratory or pilot plant equipment purchases.
• Prepare and conduct business presentations and program reviews.
• Prepare reports documenting work, including lab procedures and methods, patent disclosures, and pilot/plant operating procedures.
• Work effectively in cross-functional teams globally.
• Lead and support projects using project management tools, such as Gantt charts.
• Work off-shift and weekend coverage to support pilot and plant trials for new products, process improvements, start-ups, or troubleshooting efforts as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS in Chemical Engineering with 3+ years industrial experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Must be able to effectively communicate ideas in research, operations and commercial enviroments.
• Strong EHS and safety ethics, drive excellent housekeeping standards in work areas.
• Statistics and data analysis knowledge.
• Ability to travel overseas and to work in a chemical laboratory and plant environment.
• Ability to work off-shifts and weekend coverage as needed to support plant scale-ups, trials, and start-up of new processes.
• Strong teamwork, ability to lead and/or provide support work in a cross-functional team environment with strong inclusive communication, transparency, and collaboration.
• Excellent verbal and written Japanese communication skills
• Good verbal and written English communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters or higher level degree.
• Experience using Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical tolerancing, robust design, x-based control, etc.
• Six Sigma, Lean Sigma and 5S, or DFSS trained.