Job Purpose

The Process Engineer in Houston, TX is responsible for optimizing and supporting manufacturing processes to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and operational performance. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy, analyzing process data, identifying opportunities for improvement, and leading troubleshooting efforts to resolve operational issues. The Process Engineer collaborates closely with production operators, managers, and cross-functional teams, knowing when to address issues directly on the production floor and when to escalate concerns appropriately. The role requires strong self-management to prioritize workload, balance multiple projects across departments, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance overall plant performance.

Job Responsibilties

• Monitor process performance using key metrics such as Right First Time (RFT), Manufacturing Material Efficiency (MME), Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), cost productivity, customer complaints, and waste indices, and investigate adverse trends.
• Develop and implement improvement plans with the operations team through Continuous Improvement (CI) and AkzoNobel Lean Production System (ALPS) initiatives and capital projects.
• Partner with Research and Development (R&D), Marketing, Supply Chain, and Central Engineering to industrialize new products, raw materials, packaging, and recipe changes.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives by communicating effectively across organizational levels and driving results through teams without direct authority.
• Provide hands-on process troubleshooting support to production operators and quality technicians.
• Conduct process studies, support capital project scoping, and develop business cases before project handoff (minor projects may remain owned).
• Support project execution through commissioning, start-up, training, and ongoing technology ownership for the site.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects of varying size and complexity (including projects up to $500,000).
• Drive process standardization, reduce variability, and coordinate manufacturing-related New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
• Promote Quality, Safety, Health, and Environmental (QSHE) compliance while supporting Industrial Excellence initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.

Level of Autonomy

• High degree of autonomy.
• Needs to review data and be a self-starter on troubleshooting and coordinating with managers.
• Know when to work with operators and when to escalate to the next level.
• Manage own workload and switch between projects from different departments.

Job Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Process Engineering required.
• 3–5 years of experience in Continuous Improvement, Process Engineering, or Chemistry roles.
• 2–3 years of experience in the coatings industry preferred, with exposure to coating or continuous manufacturing operations.
• Experience with ISO 9001, Lean, and Six Sigma methodologies preferred.
• Ability to work with solvents, machinery, and computer systems, with fluency in English required.

Total Compensation

• The salary range for these skills is: $84,000 to $95,000 + a 7.5% Annual Bonus
• 401K retirement savings with a 6% company match
• Medical insurance with HSA
• Dental, Vision, Life, and AD&D benefits
• Generous vacation, sick, and holiday pay
• Short & Long-term disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Career growth opportunities
• Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks
• Employee referral plan
• Employee appreciation days