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Rotational Program Chemical Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company is seeking a Lead Chemical Engineer to develop and advance ... Experience enabling digital and automation program development. * Ability to work independently ...

Lead Chemical Engineer

Naperville, IL · On-site

$107K - $161K/yr

Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company is seeking a Lead Chemical Engineer to develop and advance ... Experience enabling digital and automation program development. * Ability to work independently ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

Lead the implementation and maintenance of quality assurance programs, including process monitoring ... Requirements 1. Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a ...

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Rotational Program Chemical Engineer information

What is the difference between Rotational Program Chemical Engineer vs Chemical Process Engineer?

AspectRotational Program Chemical EngineerChemical Process Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering, often with internship experienceBachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering, with professional experience preferred
Work EnvironmentRotates through different departments within a company, gaining broad exposureFocuses on designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting chemical processes in a specific area
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large manufacturing, energy, and consulting firms for training programsFound in chemical plants, refineries, and manufacturing facilities

The main difference is that a Rotational Program Chemical Engineer participates in a structured program rotating through various departments to develop diverse skills, while a Chemical Process Engineer specializes in specific process design and optimization within a particular area. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in scope and career focus.

What is a Rotational Program Chemical Engineer?

A Rotational Program Chemical Engineer is an entry-level engineer who participates in a structured program designed to provide experience in multiple areas of chemical engineering within a company. These programs typically last between 18 and 36 months, with participants rotating through different departments or projects, such as process design, manufacturing, quality control, and research & development. The goal is to expose engineers to various aspects of the business, helping them develop a broad skill set and determine their preferred career path. Rotational programs often include mentorship, training, and networking opportunities to support professional growth.

What types of projects and departments do Rotational Program Chemical Engineers typically work with during their rotations?

Rotational Program Chemical Engineers often gain experience across various departments such as process engineering, quality assurance, research and development, and production management. Each rotation is designed to expose engineers to different aspects of the company’s operations, allowing them to collaborate with cross-functional teams and develop a broad skill set. It's common to work on process optimization projects, pilot plant trials, and troubleshooting manufacturing issues. This structure not only helps in building technical expertise but also provides valuable insight into potential long-term career paths within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Rotational Program Chemical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rotational Program Chemical Engineer, you generally need a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, solid analytical skills, and an understanding of core engineering principles. Familiarity with process simulation software (such as Aspen Plus or HYSYS), data analysis tools, and industry safety standards is highly valued. Adaptability, strong communication, and a willingness to learn new processes help individuals excel as they transition between different roles and departments. These skills and qualities ensure effective problem-solving, smooth integration into various teams, and successful contributions to diverse projects.
What are the most commonly searched types of Rotational Program Chemical Engineer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Rotational Program Chemical Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Rotational Program Chemical Engineer jobs in Illinois? For Rotational Program Chemical Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Rotational Program Chemical Engineer job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.
Lead Chemical Engineer

Lead Chemical Engineer

Ecolab

Naperville, IL

$107K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Ecolab rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 209 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

54th of 100 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.


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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