Job Title: Shift Engineer

Work Location: Danville, VA

Summary:

The Shift Engineer is responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient operations within a chemical manufacturing environment. This role involves monitoring and optimizing processes, maintaining equipment reliability, supporting quality control, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The Shift Engineer collaborates closely with shift supervisors, operators, and maintenance teams, and may act as a direct stand-in for the shift supervisor as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and plant-specific safety and environmental regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments, participate in safety audits, PHA’s and PSSR’s, and enforce proper use of PPE and safety protocols.
• Issue Safe Work Permits in accordance with company policies.
• Respond to emergencies, such as chemical spills or equipment failures, following established procedures.
• In partnership with the shift supervisor and the crew, responsible for writing, updating, and ensuring adherence to procedures, work instructions, and forms.
• Oversee product quality by monitoring process conditions, analyzing testing data, and ensuring adherence to specifications within acceptable tolerances.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to address non-conformances and implement corrective actions.
• Work closely with supervisors, operators, technicians, and other shift personnel to ensure smooth operations.
• Act as a direct stand in for the shift supervisor, as necessary, performing all required job functions.
• Provide technical guidance and training to staff and operators.
• Document shift activities, incidents, and production data in logs and reports.
• Participate and lead 5S and Kaizen events to improve safety and eliminate waste.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reduction, or energy efficiency.
• Participate in root cause analyses and contribute to plant-wide improvement initiatives.
• Implement corrective actions to maintain continuous operation and prevent downtime.
• Monitor chemical processes, equipment performance, and production metrics using DCS, PLC’s and manual records.
• Optimize process parameters to maximize yield, quality, and efficiency while minimizing waste and energy use.
• Diagnose and resolve process-related issues, such as equipment malfunctions, product quality deviations, or production bottlenecks.
• Analyze real-time data to identify and address deviations from standard operating conditions.
• Coordinate with maintenance teams to perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and repairs during the shift.
• Identify and report equipment issues that could impact production or safety.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or chemical engineering.
• 0-3 years in chemical manufacturing, prior co-op or internships preferred.
• Knowledge of process control systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA).
• Knowledge of chemical process design, unit operations, and thermodynamics.
• Familiarity with P&IDs, process flow diagrams, and equipment specifications.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work rotating or night shifts, stand for extended periods, and occasionally lift 50 lbs.
• Must be comfortable working in industrial environments with exposure to chemicals, noise, and temperature variations.

Published Category: Manufacturing & Technical Operations