Research Data Scientist Jobs in Houston, TX

POSITION OVERVIEW

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers and plastics, committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact.

The Senior Reliability Data Scientist is responsible for leveraging advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and reliability data to improve asset reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and operational performance across Ascend's manufacturing network. Reporting to the Senior Director of Reliability, this role serves as a technical expert within the Reliability organization, transforming maintenance, operational, and process data into actionable insights that reduce downtime, optimize maintenance strategies, and improve asset performance.

TARGETED OUTCOMES

• Improve asset reliability and equipment availability through advanced analytics and predictive insights.

• Reduce unplanned downtime and maintenance costs through proactive identification of reliability risks and failure patterns.

• Establish enterprise reliability dashboards, asset health monitoring tools, and predictive analytics capabilities.

• Improve maintenance effectiveness through data-driven optimization of preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

• Quantify and communicate the operational and financial impact of reliability improvement initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reliability Analytics & Insights

• Analyze equipment, maintenance, and operational data to identify reliability risks, failure trends, bad actors, and improvement opportunities.

• Develop and maintain reliability dashboards, scorecards, and key performance indicators that support data-driven decision-making.

• Conduct statistical analyses, reliability studies, and failure trend evaluations to support reliability improvement initiatives.

• Provide actionable insights to reliability, maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to improve asset performance.

Predictive Maintenance & Asset Performance

• Support the development and optimization of predictive maintenance programs for critical manufacturing assets.

• Analyze condition monitoring data, asset criticality rankings, and maintenance strategies to improve equipment reliability and maintenance effectiveness.

• Develop asset health monitoring methodologies, predictive models, and leading indicators of equipment failure.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of predictive maintenance technologies and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Digital Reliability Solutions

• Develop predictive analytics, automated alerts, equipment health scoring systems, and reliability monitoring tools.

• Utilize manufacturing, maintenance, and historian data to identify patterns, risks, and performance improvement opportunities.

• Apply advanced analytics, statistical techniques, and machine learning methods where appropriate to improve reliability performance.

• Partner with technology, automation, and operational teams to expand digital reliability capabilities.

Reliability Program Support

• Support reliability improvement initiatives through root cause analysis, performance tracking, and benefit realization reporting.

• Develop reporting and analytics that support reliability governance, prioritization, and investment decisions.

• Promote best practices and standard methodologies across reliability programs and manufacturing sites.

• Quantify operational and financial benefits resulting from reliability and maintenance improvements.

TEAM AND INTERACTIONS

• Reports to: Senior Director, Reliability

• Works closely with Reliability, Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, Operational Excellence, Technology, and Manufacturing Leadership teams across Ascend's manufacturing network.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in reliability analytics, manufacturing analytics, data science, reliability engineering, maintenance engineering, or related industrial roles.

• Demonstrated experience developing predictive models, advanced analytics, and digital solutions that improve asset reliability and operational performance.

• Experience working with manufacturing, maintenance, operational, and historian data in complex industrial environments.

• Experience supporting predictive maintenance, asset performance management, reliability improvement, or operational excellence programs.

• Experience influencing cross-functional teams and driving improvements without direct authority.

• Chemical, petrochemical, refining, energy, or other continuous manufacturing experience preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Advanced analytical, statistical, and problem-solving capabilities.

• Expert proficiency with Power BI, SQL, Python, and data visualization tools.

• Experience with SAP Plant Maintenance, Maximo, or similar maintenance management systems.

• Familiarity with OSIsoft PI, manufacturing historians, and industrial data architectures.

• Knowledge of reliability engineering principles, predictive maintenance methodologies, and asset performance management practices.

• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to translate complex analyses into actionable business recommendations.

• Strong project management and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a matrixed manufacturing environment.

At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

About Us:

Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. With world scale integrated manufacturing facilities we are able to develop new products from our core technologies, and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution facilities across the globe and six manufacturing facilities globally. As a privately-held company, our people do big things and make big decisions, often much earlier in their careers than at larger companies. Ascend Performance Materials offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big, meaningful ways—all within a stable and growing business.

Why work at Ascend?

Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values.

We care. We operate safely with high integrity for our employees, our customers and our communities. Our people are our greatest assets, and our Total Rewards Program extends beyond traditional benefits to include access to on-site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities, a global wellness rewards program and Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan. Our Commitment to Zero demonstrates our belief that is it possible to operate with zero personal injuries, zero process safety incidents and zero environmental releases. And the Ascend Cares Foundation, led by Ascend employees, supports Ascend families in times of need, provides inspiring opportunities for community engagement and facilitates community leadership.

Customer-focused. We exist for our customers; they drive our actions. Their success is our success. Our plastics and chemicals are building blocks that help make everyday essentials safer and more sustainable, and we constantly strive to develop new and innovative products to meet the future needs of our customers. And that customer focus doesn’t only apply to the marketplace – it also applies to how we treat our colleagues and our fellow community members.

Better every day. We invest in our people and our processes to improve every day. A2E, our continuous improvement program, guides the way we do business. And this way of problem solving applies not only to our manufacturing practices but also to our commitment to developing our people. You’ll see it during your career at Ascend in our leadership development, skills training and mentoring programs

Agile. We think broadly and lead proactively in a constantly evolving organization and industry. Agility doesn’t mean simply working quickly – it means critical thinking, creative problem solving and novel approaches to everyday challenges.

One Ascend. All together, with a common set of goals and an eye toward the future. We don’t accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments, sites and geography. This means you won’t be boxed into a single role at Ascend – you could get the chance to work with teams across the globe to improve the way we serve our people, our customers and our communities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.