Research Engineer II

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 to identify and develop innovative new processes that support the company’s business objectives. This will include:

o New idea generation and project definition
o Experimental design for bench scale laboratory equipment and in pilot plants
o Ensure that objectives and experimental plans are well-prepared and communicated for effective project execution with the highest attention to process and personnel safety
o Design of pilot test units from lab to demonstration scale, and protocols to efficiently generate data for process development.
o Provide leadership and direction to technicians/operators
o Supports sustainability initiatives for process and technology improvements
o Documentation and presentation of experimental results
o 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.
• 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

• Minimum PhD in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with 0-5 years of relevant experience in chemicals, petrochemicals, fuels, or related R&D is required.
• Preference will be given to candidates with a background in experimental design and experience in bench scale laboratory equipment or pilot plants.
• Experience with reactor and/or process design and scale-up 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 in-order to obtain support for projects.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple and/or changing priorities with minimal supervision.
• 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.

Preferred QualificationsCompetenciesBuilds effective teams Collaborates Cultivates innovation Customer focus Demonstrates courage Drives results Ensures accountability Instills trust and exemplifies integrity

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world. Driven by its employees around the globe, LyondellBasell produces materials and products that are key to advancing solutions to modern challenges like enhancing food safety through lightweight and flexible packaging, protecting the purity of water supplies through stronger and more versatile pipes, improving the safety, comfort and fuel efficiency of many of the cars and trucks on the road, and ensuring the safe and effective functionality in electronics and appliances. LyondellBasell sells products into more than 100 countries and is the world's largest producer of polypropylene compounds and the largest licensor of polyolefin technologies. In 2022, LyondellBasell was named to Fortune Magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies" for the fifth consecutive year.

We have the potential — and responsibility — to use this scale and reach to make a positive impact across our value chains. That’s why we are working to make meaningful progress to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges such as reducing plastic waste in the environment, helping to mitigate climate change and contributing to a thriving society for our employees, the communities where we operate and the people who depend on our products. To learn more, click here.