Senior Pilot Plant Technician

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.

** About you and this role
**** Dow
* * has an exciting opportunity for a
** Sr. Process R&D Technician
** located in
** Freeport, TX**.This role will contribute to new catalyst/process development, process scale-up, and product sales support through batch validation and safe, reliable pilot plant operations.  The successful candidate will demonstrate strong process technician skills, a commitment to safety, and proficiency with process control systems and will perform operations related activities as per Master Task List, inputs from trial documents, and run sheets.

You will troubleshoot process or equipment issues and coordinate pilot plant maintenance activities. This is a 24-hour operation, and you will be required to work DuPont shift schedule, you will be required to be on-call at least 1 week/ month, and be willing to work overtime when needed.
** Core Responsibilities
*** Collaborate with technical teams to execute R&D and scale-up activities.
* Adjust and troubleshoot process controls and instrumentation.
* Perform routine operations including sampling, calibration, and maintenance per SOPs.
* Support validation runs for customer trials.
* Document operations through logs, batch records, and SOPs.
* Analyze plant metrics to identify and implement optimization opportunities.
* Ensure safety compliance through active participation in hazard management programs.
* Contribute to SOPs and training material development.
* Provides technical support to engineers and scientists in the execution of R&D and scale-up activities.
* Acts as a pilot plant team to ensure safe and reliable operation of reactors and associated process equipment.
* Supports catalyst validation and customer trials through execution of experimental runs and process monitoring.
* Applies role-specific expertise to troubleshoot process deviations and maintain accurate operational documentation.
** Critical Success Factors
*** DCS and field experience in operating a chemical plant
* Passion for continuous improvement
* Demonstrate leadership skills - inspire others and lead them through influence.
* Strong communication, prioritization and technical skills.
* Seeks challenges and enjoys overcoming them while helping others.
* Strong troubleshooting skills with equipment/ instrumentation
** Required Qualifications
*** A minimum of a high school diploma/GED and 5 years of relevant work experience OR an Associate’s degree (science related field preferred) or 3 or more years Military experience
* Familiarity with process control systems (ABB, Siemens, or similar DCS/PLC platforms).
* Hands-on ability to operate, monitor, and troubleshoot pilot plant equipment.
* Competence in data collection, trend analysis, and technical reporting.
* Demonstrated safety mindset with knowledge of chemical processing hazards.
* Effective communication and teamwork skills in a multidisciplinary environment.
* A minimum requirement for this U.S. based position is the ability to work legally in the United States.  No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.
** Preferred Qualifications
*** 6 year or more of chemical industry experience.
* Maintenance & troubleshooting of mechanical/rotating equipment.
* Experience working in a cross-functional team environment.
** Physical Demands
*** Willing and able to meet physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations:
* Lift, push, and pull up to 55 pounds.
* Frequently bend, reach, and lift.
* Climbing stairs and work in a chemical manufacturing environment
* This role does involve elevated work greater than or equal to four feet story level structure
* Frequent work in the field/outdoors
* Ability to work comfortably and safely at elevated heights. Candidates must be familiar with, or willing to undergo training in, the proper usage and maintenance of safety equipment to ensure safe movement and operations at heights.
** Your Skills**
* ** Operations**:
The execution and management of day-to-day activities to ensure processes run efficiently and meet organizational objectives.
* ** Troubleshooting**:
The ability to identify, analyze, and resolve problems or malfunctions in systems, equipment, or processes.
* ** Pilot Plants**:
Small-scale industrial systems used to test and validate processes before full-scale production, ensuring safety and efficiency.
* ** Process Equipment**:
Machinery and tools used in manufacturing or chemical processes, such as reactors, pumps, and heat exchangers.
* ** Process Control**:
Techniques and systems used to monitor and regulate industrial processes to maintain desired performance and quality.
* ** Communication**:
The skill of effectively conveying information, ideas, and instructions through verbal, written, or digital means to ensure collaboration and clarity.
**…