Chemical Process Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Date: May 19, 2026

Location: Waukegan, IL, US, 60085-5652

Company: AkzoNobel

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

Job Purpose

Monitors and improves processes in order to maintain or enhance quality, HSE, service and costs level by troubleshooting (Root Cause) manufacturing processes and is responsible for the industrialization of new products & new manufacturing processes, on a manufacturing site including transfers, MOC´S and NPI´S.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitors the process performance through metrics such as RFT, MME, OEE, cost productivity, customer complaints, Waste Indices and takes action as required to correct adverse trends, performing plant based process investigations
• Develops plans to improve the above performance through focused improvement activities (in conjunction with the operations group) along with capital project and other CI/ALPS initiatives.
• Interfaces with off site functions such as R&D/marketing/Supply chain and central engineering for the industrialization of new products, new raw materials, new packaging and recipe changes ensuring that changes on site are controlled and managed.
• This Process Engineer will need to be multi-faceted: Able to communicate to various levels, able to understand quickly and interpret need, lead teams, drive results through others that are not direct reports.
• Provides expertise for on site operations group during process related troubleshooting issues- hands on with production operators/quality techs.
• For capital projects, executes process studies, contributes to pre-projects and performs initial project scoping and business case development, handing over to the project group for execution (except minor projects, <500k).
• During project execution, plays a major role in commissioning, start-up and training, and then owning the technology for the site. Multiple concurrent projects at any time varying from small to large ($500K) in scope.
• Stays informed about, amongst others, relevant technology, company news and current quality and SHE standards, and takes action if necessary. Identifies what the pertinent information is to use.
• Develops process standardization (where applicable) and contributes to reduce variability on the different site processes.
• Manages manufacturing related NPI activity coordination. Promotes the quality system through adhering to the elements of and being familiar with the philosophy, quality statement, quality manual, and procedures.
• Attend and participate in Powder Plant Programs/Committees/Training as required, such as Department Safety, Plant Safety, Behavioral Safety, Housekeeping Audit Teams, ISO, Life Saving Rules or any other safety programs.
• Participate in the Powder Safety Journey. Adhere to the Golden Principle which is Simply to intervene to stop work if conditions or behavior are unsafe.
• Promotes health, safety and environmental regulations by ensuring that standards, policies, and procedures are adhered to in compliance with corporate, federal, state, and local requirements.
• Performs other duties as required for the success of Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc.

Job Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Process engineering
• 3-5 years of experience as CI, Process Engineering or Chemist roles experience, 2-3 years preferably in the Coatings industry, ideally in Powder Coatings industry
• Ability to utilize usual IT tools and software e.g. SAP and MSOffice
• Ability to work independently, but as part of a team
• Ability to manage projects, sometimes multiple projects
• Ability to communicate to employees in different business units and different levels in same business unit

Rewards & Benefits

Base salary range for this role is: $85,000 to $100,000. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

• Benefits start on day 1
• 401K retirement savings with 6% company match
• Medical insurance with HSA
• Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D benefits
• Generous vacation, sick and holiday pay
• Short & Long term disability
• Paid Parental leave after 1 year
• Career growth opportunities
• Active Diversity & Inclusion Networks
• Employee referral bonus

Competencies

Accepting Direction
Accepting Responsibility
Acquiring Information

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Requisition ID: #LI-SS1