ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Chemical Engineering R&D Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Ecolab

Lead Chemical Engineer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$107K - $161K/yr

Degree in chemical engineering (advanced degree preferred). * Ph.D. and 2+ years of related industrial experience, M.S. and 4+ years related industrial experience, or B.S. and 6+ years related ...

Daubert Chemical Co. Inc.

Buyer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$28 - $35/hr

Seek alternate source of suppliers and solicit samples as needed for evaluation by R&D ... Daubert Chemical Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran. Powered by JazzHR ...

McCain Foods Limited

VP R&D Global Snacking

Chicago, IL · On-site

... Snacking R&D. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and continuous ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related ...

''

VP R&D Global Snacking

Chicago, IL

Develop future-ready capabilities, talent pipelines, and succession plans across Snacking R&D ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related ...

W. R. Grace & Co.

Chemical Operator

East Chicago, IN · On-site

$30.28/hr

... engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services ... The Chemical Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of manufacturing ...

New

W. R. Grace & Co.

Chemical Operator

East Chicago, IN

$30.28/hr

... engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services ... The Chemical Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of manufacturing ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsChemical Engineering R&D JobsChemical Engineering R&D Jobs in Chicago, IL

Chemical Engineering R D information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$52.5K

$100.7K

$153.5K

How much do chemical engineering r&d jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for chemical engineering r&d in Chicago, IL is $100,657.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $147,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Chemical Engineering R&D job?

A Chemical Engineering R&D (Research and Development) job involves designing, testing, and improving chemical processes, materials, and products. Engineers in this role work on developing new technologies, optimizing manufacturing processes, and ensuring sustainability and efficiency. They collaborate with scientists, engineers, and manufacturers to translate research into practical applications. This role often includes lab experiments, data analysis, and scaling up processes for industrial use.

What types of projects and daily tasks can I expect in a Chemical Engineering R&D role?

As a Chemical Engineering R&D professional, you’ll typically work on projects such as developing new chemical processes, optimizing existing manufacturing techniques, and evaluating novel materials or catalysts. Daily tasks may include conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing data, scaling up processes from bench to pilot plant, and documenting your findings in technical reports. Collaboration is common with cross-functional teams, including chemists, process engineers, and production staff, to move innovations from concept to implementation. This role often involves balancing independent research with team-based problem-solving, making it both intellectually rewarding and highly collaborative.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Chemical Engineering R&D position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Chemical Engineering R&D professional, you need a solid background in chemical engineering principles, experimental design, data analysis, and a relevant degree such as a BS, MS, or PhD in chemical engineering or a related field. Experience with laboratory instrumentation, process simulation software (like Aspen Plus or ChemCAD), and safety certification (such as OSHA training) is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and effective teamwork and communication skills set candidates apart in this innovative environment. These competencies are essential for advancing new processes and products while ensuring safety and efficiency in R&D initiatives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chemical Engineering R&D jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Chemical Engineering R&D jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Chemical Engineering R&D jobs in Chicago, IL? For Chemical Engineering R&D jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chemical Engineering R&D jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Chemical Engineering R&D jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Chemical Engineering R D jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chemical Engineering R&D job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,657 per year, or $48.4 per hour.
Lead Chemical Engineer

Lead Chemical Engineer

Ecolab

Naperville, IL • On-site

$107K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Ecolab rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 209 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

53rd of 92 rated chemical manufacturers

Job description

Job Description:
Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company is seeking a Lead Chemical Engineer to develop and advance differentiated innovations in chemistry, equipment & digital, ultimately driving the global deployment of integrated offerings for advanced water treatment, process optimization, and automation. The successful candidate will effectively operate at the intersection of water treatment chemistry, process engineering, digital systems, data-driven optimization, and customer-facing application development and scale-up.
The selected candidate will lead global innovation projects and technology development across the Global Light Water Division, supporting our Manufacturing, Institutional Water, and Textile Care businesses and customers. This includes exciting applications within the automotive, green energy (for instance, solar & battery), pharma, packaging, and building materials industries, in addition to impacting key customer needs in water safety and water use/reuse.
Cross-functional team collaboration and global communication will be essential for this role. This person will specialize in automation development but will be required to navigate a wide range of technical topics. They will be expected to work closely with marketing and technical support teams to ideate, develop and deliver a portfolio of programs for cooling water, boiler water, pre- and post-treatment as well as process water.
What's in it For You:
  • The opportunity to take on some of the world's most meaningful challenges, helping customers achieve clean water, safe food, abundant energy and healthy environments
  • The ability to make an impact and shape your career with a company that is passionate about growth
  • The support of an organization that believes it is vital to include and engage diverse people, perspectives and ideas to achieve our best

What You Will Do:
  • Partner with global Marketing, RD&E (Research, Development & Engineering), ITC (Industry Technical Consultants), and business teams to gather customer insights (Voice of Customer).
  • Develop and execute a product pipeline for Global Light Water, focusing on automation and digital solutions.
  • Drive the execution of the current project portfolio and enforce project management discipline to make sure projects are delivered on time and with quality.
  • Collaborate with the collective Global Water RD&E teams, leveraging Naperville and Eagan based Core Chemical Technologies, Water Anchor, as well as Global Analytical and Microbiology capabilities, to accelerate portfolio development.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Degree in chemical engineering (advanced degree preferred).
  • Ph.D. and 2+ years of related industrial experience, M.S. and 4+ years related industrial experience, or B.S. and 6+ years related industrial experience.
  • Proven track record of new product launches, creative thinking, and consistent delivery of strategic goals.
  • Experience enabling digital and automation program development.
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize responsibly, and motivate peers and team members.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and collaborating skills.
  • Comfortable with public speaking and leading meetings with internal and external customers.
  • Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%.
  • Immigration Sponsorship not available for this position

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Automation and water treatment experience

Hands-on experience with:
  • Process automation (PLC, SCADA, distributed control systems)
  • Sensor integration and real-time monitoring systems
  • Data analytics and performance optimization tools

Demonstrated ability to:
  • Translate process data into control strategies
  • Deploy chemical, equipment & digital solutions in industrial environments

Annual or Hourly Compensation Range
The base salary range for this position is $107,600.00 - $161,500.00. This position is eligible for annual bonus pay based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.
Benefits
Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits.
If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.
Potential Customer Requirements Notice
To meet customer requirements and comply with local or state regulations, applicants for certain customer-facing roles may need to:
- Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website.

What Ecolab employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Ecolab logo

About Ecolab

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Ecolab is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Paul, MN, US

Year founded

1923

View All Ecolab Jobs

Apply