R&D Research Engineer

Basic Function

LyondellBasell, one of the world’s largest plastics, chemical and refining companies, is seeking a Research Engineer for the Houston Technology Center (HTC) in Channelview, TX.  HTC is a state-of-the-art R&D facility that serves as the global R&D center for LyondellBasell's Intermediates and Derivatives (I&D) and Olefins Businesses. HTC R&D focuses on innovative opportunities that drive sustainable process and technology improvements, improving catalyst and process technologies for our existing chemical manufacturing facilities and on developing new technologies allowing LYB to maintain and build on our competitive advantages.  HTC also provides technical support to our manufacturing and business organizations.

The Research Engineer will lead efforts in the identification, development, scale-up and industrialization of new catalysts and processes for a variety of chemical technologies. This includes identifying and developing technologies to reduce costs or improve efficiencies for existing units and inventing new products and process technologies to support long-term business objectives.

This is an exciting career opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art research facility along-side our technical team of experts.  HTC is located at the Channelview Complex, one of the largest petrochemical facilities in the Gulf Coast with approximately 2,000 employees, covering 4,000 acres, just 19 miles from our corporate Headquarters in downtown Houston. This is a direct-hire position with competitive base salary, bonus, 401K matching, generous benefits package, pension plan and employee discounts.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead projects and project teams to identify and develop innovative new processes that support the company’s business objectives. This will include:
• New idea generation and project definition
• Experimental design for bench scale laboratory equipment and pilot plants
• Ensure that objectives and experimental plans are well-prepared and communicated for effective project execution with the highest attention to process and personnel safety
• Design of pilot test units from lab to demonstration scale, and protocols to efficiently generate data for process development
• Provide leadership and direction to technicians/operators and other researchers supporting his/her projects
• Support sustainability initiatives for process and technology improvements
• Documentation and presentation of experimental results
• Work with the Engineering and Manufacturing organizations to plan and execute industrialization plans including plant trials, where needed
• Maintain a strong emphasis on safety.  This includes responsibility for conducting thorough safety analysis of experimental programs.
• Identify and evaluate new or emerging technologies, research areas and growth opportunities to drive business growth, cost reductions, and improvements to company safety and environmental performance.
• Have or develop expertise in the company’s core technologies. This includes developing a good understanding of competitors’ processes to drive technology leadership internally.
• Work effectively with R&D researchers, staff, technicians, and management for competent performance of job functions.
• Work with Manufacturing, Global Engineering and the Businesses for alignment of project activities and efficient execution and implementation of R&D projects. May lead multi-functional project teams to support local or worldwide business objectives. 

Min. Qualifications

•    Masters or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with at least 10 years of relevant experience in chemicals, petrochemicals, fuels, or related R&D is required.  Some consideration may be given to candidates with equivalent industrial and R&D experience.  
•    Preference will be given to candidates with a background in experimental design and experience in bench scale laboratory equipment and pilot plants.
•    Experience with reactor and/or process design and scale-up is preferred.
•    Experience with new pilot unit design, construction and commissioning is preferred.
•    Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing with technicians, fellow researchers, plant engineers, management, and executive levels is essential.  Must be comfortable making presentations to senior management to obtain support for projects.
•    Ability to effectively manage multiple and/or changing priorities with minimal supervision.
•    Ability to lead R&D project teams to meet site and company goals.  This includes providing mentorship to other researchers on site.
•    Strong technical orientation, able to use and build on their technical education, training, and experience to perform well in an R&D work environment.
•    Needs to be highly creative in proposing new projects, optimizing process concepts and finding ways to meet project objectives. Excellent problem-solving skills required.
•    Highly self-motivated individual with demonstrated ability to drive for results.

Competencies