Chemical Project Engineer

Position: Chemical Project Engineer (Permanent)
Talent STEM have been retained by a COMAH regulated manufacturing business in Cheshire to appoint a Chemical Project Engineer for a hands on, site based role leading multidisciplinary project delivery.

This position is ideal for a Chemical Engineer who thrives in a live plant environment and wants to play a central role in delivering complex engineering projects. You will act as the technical anchor across multidisciplinary teams, combining strong process engineering expertise with the ability to coordinate mechanical, electrical and civil activities on site.

The role

You will lead and support multidisciplinary engineering projects with a strong emphasis on chemical process understanding, covering process improvements, plant modifications, capacity expansion, compliance works and infrastructure upgrades. Projects are delivered in live operational environments and require both practical engineering judgement and structured project management.

Key responsibilities include:

- Taking ownership of projects on site, leading delivery from a process engineering perspective while coordinating multidisciplinary inputs

- Managing EPC and EPCM projects across chemical process, mechanical, electrical and civil disciplines

- Acting as the key link between process design and site execution, ensuring designs are practical, safe and operable

- Developing and controlling project scope, schedules, budgets and resources

- Working closely with contractors during construction, installation and commissioning, ensuring process integrity is maintained

- Leading and contributing to process safety activities including HAZOP, LOPA and ALARP assessments

- Driving stage gate governance while maintaining a strong focus on on-site delivery

- Supporting commissioning, start-up and integration into live operations

- Maintaining accurate, high quality project and process documentation

This is a true on-site engineering role, not a desk based coordination position, with a clear emphasis on chemical engineering leadership within multidisciplinary projects.

About you

You will be a Chemical Engineer with project delivery experience in a COMAH or high hazard environment, confident operating on site and taking ownership of complex, multidisciplinary work streams. You enjoy being close to the plant, working with operators and contractors, and ensuring process safety and performance are at the forefront of delivery.

Key requirements:

- Degree qualified in Chemical Engineering

- At least 5 years’ experience delivering projects in COMAH or high hazard manufacturing environments

- Strong process engineering knowledge, with the ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary project teams

- Practical experience coordinating mechanical, electrical and civil engineering activities within projects

- Strong project delivery capability across planning, cost control and risk management

- Solid understanding of process safety and hazard studies including HAZOP, LOPA and ALARP

- Experience working directly with contractors in live operational environments

- Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership is advantageous

Why apply

This is an opportunity for a Chemical Engineer to take a leading role in delivering complex, safety critical projects on a technically advanced manufacturing site in Cheshire. You will have real ownership, strong on-site presence and the opportunity to see projects through from concept to commissioning.

For a confidential discussion, contact Talent STEM.

Talent STEM is a specialist recruitment consultancy supporting the scientific, engineering, clinical, chemical, pharmaceutical, FMCG, environmental, biotechnology and medical device sectors