Process Engineer (Projects Focus)
Stepan Company · Wilmington, NC
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Process
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level process role at Stepan Company (chemicals) in Wilmington, NC.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- EHS / safety
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Process Engineer roles in North Carolina: typical posted base $88k–$120k.
Median of the low and high ends of 23 live postings that list pay, out of 49 process engineer openings in North Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
North Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 48 other live process postings in North Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $88k–$120k, from 23 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 43%
- Six Sigma 43%
- Lean 27%
- SPC 24%
- Team leadership 24%
- FDA / GMP 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Process team at Stepan Company
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Stepan Company in Wilmington
1 other open role at this site.
- Reliability Engineer · Reliability
Full description from Stepan CompanyAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
- ✓Integrate process safety and environmental considerations into all project work
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering
- ✓+5 years of experience in chemical manufacturing or process engineering
- ✓Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Experience with Front-End Loading (FEL) and capital projects
- ✓Batch chemical process experience
- ✓Strong background in process design and modeling
- ✓Experience working with external engineering contractors
- ✓Knowledge of PSM-regulated environments and industry standards
requirements
- ✓Hands-on involvement in commissioning and plant support activities
Why Join Us?
- ✓Opportunity to work on high-impact capital projects
- ✓Exposure to end-to-end project lifecycle from concept to start-up
- ✓Collaborative team environment focused on continuous improvement and technical excellence
Apply today to join Stepan Company and help shape the future of our Wilmington site.
Education
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering
Applicants must be Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description
The Process Engineer (Projects Focus) provides process engineering leadership for capital projects, supporting the Wilmington site from project conception through start-up. This role ensures that projects are safe, technically sound, and aligned with business objectives, enabling improvements in capacity, cost, quality, and environmental performance.
Working closely with Project Managers, Operations, and Engineering leadership, this role applies Front-End Loading (FEL) principles and strong process design expertise to deliver practical, effective solutions in a manufacturing environment.
Capital Projects & Technical Execution
- •Serve as the process engineering lead on capital projects from feasibility through start-up
- •Develop and deliver core engineering design packages (PFDs, P&IDs, MEBs, and equipment requirements)
- •Ensure designs are safe, operable, and cost-effective
- •Support commissioning and start-up to ensure systems meet design intent
Front-End Loading & Process Design
- •Apply FEL methodologies to define scope and evaluate alternatives
- •Provide expertise in process design, including reaction systems, separations, and thermodynamics
- •Translate business and operational needs into practical engineering solutions
Operational Support & Optimization
- •Support plant operations with troubleshooting and process optimization
- •Use process data to drive improvements in throughput, efficiency, and reliability
- •Participate in site initiatives for safety, environmental, and cost improvements
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- •Partner with Project Managers on scope development and execution alignment
- •Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, and EHS teams to ensure successful project delivery
- •Work with external engineering firms and contractors, ensuring quality and accountability
Safety & Compliance
- •Promote and support a strong safety culture
- •Ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, EPA, and other regulatory
What Success Looks Like
- •Projects are delivered with strong technical integrity and clear scope definition
- •Process designs are safe, operable, and aligned with site needs
- •Start-ups and modifications are smooth, stable, and meet performance targets
- •Strong collaboration with Operations and Project teams drives practical results
Work Environment
- •Combination of office and manufacturing plant environment
- •Regular field exposure including elevated structures, outdoor conditions, and PPE