Research Development Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company's innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 13,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2025 revenue of approximately $8.8 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.
Description
We are seeking an experienced engineering leader with a systems mindset to drive scale-up initiatives across Eastman business. This individual will design and execute strategies that translate new products, process technologies, and manufacturing opportunities into reliable, commercial-scale reality.
As an R&D Chemical Process Engineer, you will act as both technical and execution leader, responsible for connecting product development, manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, procurement, and internal or external manufacturing partners to ensure scale-up efforts succeed from concept through implementation. Projects may vary in scope from incremental process improvements to new products, manufacturing technologies, asset expansions, and toll manufacturing opportunities.
The individual will provide leadership in manufacturing readiness, technology transfer, trial planning and execution, implementation strategy, and tolling readiness while contributing to the maturation of Eastman's broader scale-up discipline. This role carries significant cross-functional influence and is recognized as a go-to resource for scale-up strategy.
This position is based on-site at Eastman's Kingsport, TN headquarters.
Responsibilities
• Develop and execute scale-up strategies for new products, process technologies, manufacturing opportunities, asset expansions, and toll manufacturing projects.
• Integrate safety, environmental, quality, regulatory, and operational requirements into scale-up plans, readiness assessments, critical paths, risk evaluations, and implementation timelines.
• Assess manufacturing readiness, identify technical and organizational risks, and lead mitigation efforts to address barriers to scale-up, qualification, startup, and commercial production.
• Lead technology transfer across laboratory, pilot, demonstration, toll manufacturing, and commercial environments.
• Plan and coordinate scale-up trials by defining objectives, success criteria, decision criteria, data requirements, and cross-functional resource needs.
• Apply chemical engineering, mixing, reaction engineering, and practical manufacturing principles to support process scale-up, troubleshooting, and implementation.
• Influence business decisions by assessing technical risks, project timelines, and the likelihood of successful outcomes.
• Build effective relationships with R&D, manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, procurement, suppliers, tollers, customers, and other external partners.
• Communicate project status, risks, recommendations, key decisions, and implementation needs to project teams and leadership, balancing technical rigor, cost, schedule, practicality, and business risk.
• Capture and share lessons learned, technical documentation, and best practices to improve Eastman's scale-up processes and organizational knowledge.
• Contribute to scale-up frameworks, readiness methodologies, implementation tools, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor less experienced scale-up leaders and support the development of organizational capabilities in process implementation and manufacturing readiness.
Qualifications
• BS or higher degree in Chemical Engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant industrial experience required.
• Demonstrated track record in manufacturing, process development, process engineering, technology implementation, scale-up, or related technical roles.
• Hands-on experience with mixing operations and/or reaction engineering is a strong plus.
• Beyond technical depth, we're looking for someone who has led cross-functional technical projects, communicates and influences effectively across all levels, and thrives working independently across organizational lines.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in ambiguous, fast-moving environments is essential.
• Experience planning and executing pilot, demonstration, startup, or qualification campaigns either internally and/or at a toll manufacturer.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with project management and risk management methodologies.
• Experience working with external suppliers, tollers, or customers.
• Experience supporting manufacturing startups and operational readiness activities.
• Exposure to working across multiple businesses, functions, or global organizations.
Success in this role requires strong technical judgment, practical manufacturing perspective, project leadership skills, and the ability to identify and mitigate scale-up risks while navigating complex technical and organizational environments.
Benefits
Your total rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. When you join Eastman, you gain access to an exceptional suite of programs designed to protect your health, grow your wealth, and fuel your career.
Compensation & Incentives
• Base pay plus performance-based incentive opportunities that let you share in our success.
Health & Wellness
• Comprehensive medical, prescription-drug, and dental coverage-paired with a Health Savings Account option to help you save tax-free dollars for care today or in the future.
• A robust menu of voluntary benefits-including vision, optional life, critical-illness protection, and more-so you can tailor coverage to fit your life.
• Holistic wellness support: financial-planning tools, family-building assistance (adoption, pregnancy, and fertility resources), parental leave, and confidential Employee Assistance Program counseling.
Retirement & Financial Strategies
• 401(k) with a company match-plus an additional annual retirement contribution from Eastman to accelerate your long-term savings.
Time Away
• Eleven paid holidays, one personal day, paid time off, and paid vacation to recharge, celebrate, or handle life's moments.
Growth & Development
• Access to mentorship, learning resources, and leadership programs that empower you to thrive in your current role and chart the next steps in your career.
At Eastman, we invest in the whole you-so you can bring your best self to work every day and build a future you're proud of.
Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.
Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully engaged workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.