Chemical Project Engineer Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Department

Engineering

Location

Cincinnati, Ohio

Reports To

Engineering Manager

Employment Type

Full-Time, Exempt

Work Environment

Chemical Manufacturing / Industrial

• Manage capital and facility improvement projects from concept through final implementation and closeout.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, cost estimates, schedules, and capital expenditure justifications.
• Coordinate engineering design activities involving mechanical, piping, electrical, instrumentation, controls, civil, and structural disciplines.
• Work with Operations and Maintenance teams to identify equipment, reliability, infrastructure, and process improvement needs.
• Prepare and manage project budgets, forecasts, purchase requisitions, contractor costs, and project expenditures.
• Develop bid packages, evaluate proposals, and assist with contractor and vendor selection.
• Coordinate contractors, engineering consultants, equipment suppliers, and other external resources.
• Review engineering drawings, equipment specifications, P&IDs, layouts, vendor documentation, and other technical deliverables.
• Ensure project designs comply with company engineering standards, applicable codes, environmental requirements, and safety standards.
• Participate in Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR), and other Process Safety Management activities as applicable.
• Support OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) and EPA Risk Management Program (RMP) requirements for covered processes.
• Coordinate construction activities while minimizing disruption to ongoing manufacturing operations.
• Develop project execution plans that account for plant shutdowns, equipment outages, production schedules, and operational constraints.
• Monitor project schedules, milestones, risks, budgets, and contractor performance.
• Identify project risks and implement appropriate mitigation plans.
• Provide regular project status updates to Engineering, Operations, and site leadership.
• Coordinate equipment installation, startup, commissioning, testing, and turnover to Operations and Maintenance.
• Ensure appropriate operating procedures, maintenance documentation, drawings, equipment records, and training materials are completed before project turnover.
• Maintain accurate project documentation and ensure drawings and technical records are updated following project completion.
• Support troubleshooting and resolution of engineering and equipment issues during project implementation and startup.
• Identify opportunities to improve plant safety, reliability, efficiency, productivity, environmental performance, and operating costs.
• Perform other duties and engineering assignments as required.

• Project scope and technical requirements
• Capital budgets, forecasting, and expenditures
• Project schedules and milestones
• Engineering deliverables
• Contractor and vendor performance
• Construction coordination
• Safety and regulatory compliance
• Change management
• Commissioning and startup
• Project documentation and closeout

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or another related engineering discipline required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification or progress toward licensure preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or formal project management training preferred.

• 3-7 years of engineering and/or capital project management experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment preferred.
• Experience in chemical manufacturing, petrochemical, specialty chemical, refining, pharmaceutical, food processing, or other process manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects from scope development through commissioning and closeout.
• Experience working with contractors, engineering firms, equipment manufacturers, and vendors.
• Experience coordinating projects within an operating manufacturing facility.
• Familiarity with PSM-regulated chemical manufacturing environments preferred.

• Capital project management and project cost control
• Chemical/process manufacturing operations
• Piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
• Process equipment and piping systems
• Pumps, tanks, vessels, heat exchangers, and rotating equipment
• Electrical, instrumentation, controls, and automation systems
• Mechanical and equipment installation
• Construction management and contractor coordination
• Equipment specifications and technical bid evaluations
• Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), and Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR)
• OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) and environmental compliance requirements
• Applicable OSHA, NFPA, ASME, API, NEC, and other engineering codes and standards
• Microsoft Office and project management software
• AutoCAD or similar engineering drawing software preferred
• SAP or other ERP/maintenance systems preferred

• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Contractor and vendor management
• Financial and budget management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Decision-making and accountability
• Attention to detail
• Safety and compliance mindset
• Ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

• Walking throughout an industrial manufacturing facility
• Climbing stairs and accessing elevated work areas
• Standing for extended periods during construction and commissioning activities
• Wearing required PPE
• Working indoors and outdoors in varying environmental conditions
• Entering operating and construction areas as required to inspect project activities