Principal Engineer, Pulp Technology at Celanese in Narrows, VA

The Principal Engineer will provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise in pulp technology to support acetate manufacturing operations and advance Technology & Innovation (T&I) initiatives. This role is based at the Narrows, Virginia facility, which serves as the hub for acetate flake and tow production as well as the Acetate Technology & Innovation Center. The position combines strong hands-on technical contribution with project leadership and collaboration across manufacturing, procurement, and T&I functions.

• Lead Pulp related programs within the T&I group

• Lead technical efforts to troubleshoot process manufacturing and product quality issues

• Direct laboratory testing of various wood pulp supplies for suitability for use in acetate flake production including trials at the Manufacturing level

• Demonstrate new technologies from laboratory/pilot plant to production scale operations

• Develop Intellectual Property related to Acetate flake and tow production and applications

• Support Procurement on Sourcing of Wood Pulp from a variety of suppliers

• Manage Technology & Innovation development projects for new acetate applications and production means.

• Direct multi-disciplinary teams to qualify new raw materials

• Support product stewardship and safe manufacturing practices

• Manage additional R&D laboratory/pilot plant operations and resources as needed

• Meet strict internal/external customer requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline

• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, R&D, or process technology roles

• Pulp and Paper Process knowledge; ideally dissolving high purity cellulose specialties

• Cellulosic (Polysaccharide) polymer chemistry understanding

• Proven ability to lead technical efforts to troubleshoot process manufacturing and product quality issues

• Experience with multi-disciplinary teams

• Understanding of key product stewardship and safe manufacturing practices

• Demonstrated capability to develop new technologies from laboratory/pilot plant to production scale operations

• Experience in meeting strict internal/external customer requirements

• Exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills across multiple levels in organization

• Management / supervision experience for R&D laboratory/pilot plant operations and resources

• Understanding and application of Financial Acumen in deployment of technology

• Ability to both act as an individual contributor and a team leader