Capital Project Development Engineer
Role Overview
The Capital Project Development Engineer (PDE) is responsible for leading the development of capital projects through Front-End Loading (FEL 0-2) in accordance with the Grace Project Methodology (GPM).
The PDE serves as the single point of accountability for project development and is responsible for transforming business opportunities into well-defined, executable projects that satisfy technical, operational, financial, safety, and strategic objectives.
The PDE leads cross-functional teams through project initiation, alternatives analysis, and conceptual design while ensuring project scope, business value, risk, cost, schedule, and execution strategy mature appropriately through each gate.
The role requires strong leadership through influence, technical breadth, business acumen, and the ability to drive alignment across multiple functions and stakeholders.
Responsibilities (1 of 2) Project Leadership Lead assigned capital projects through FEL 0, FEL 1, and FEL 2.
Serve as the overall project leader responsible for coordinating all project development activities and deliverables.
Assemble, align, and lead cross-functional project teams including Operations, Process Technology, Engineering, EHS, Finance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Commercial representatives.
Facilitate project decision-making and ensure alignment among stakeholders.
Business Case Development Partner with business sponsors to clearly define project objectives, success criteria, and strategic alignment.
Develop and maintain project charters, business cases, and financial justifications.
Validate project benefits, assumptions, risks, and alternatives prior to major investment decisions.
Ensure project objectives remain aligned with business priorities throughout project development.
Alternatives Analysis and Scope Development Lead structured alternatives analyses to identify the optimum technical and business solution.
Challenge assumptions and evaluate opportunities for scope optimization, standardization, debottlenecking, asset utilization, and capital efficiency.
Develop and maintain the Process Basis of Design and Project Design Scope.
Drive technical and commercial decisions using objective data and risk-based evaluation.
Responsibilities (2 of 2) Project Controls and Risk Management Coordinate development of FEL cost estimates, schedules, risk assessments, and execution plans.
Ensure project risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies are identified, documented, and actively managed.
Establish action plans to address project gaps and risks prior to gate reviews.
Monitor project development progress and ensure deliverables are completed to required quality standards.
Gate Reviews and Governance Prepare and present gate review packages and recommendations.
Ensure all applicable GPM deliverables are completed and meet project quality requirements.
Facilitate independent reviews, peer reviews, and readiness assessments.
Support gate decisions and incorporate resulting actions into project plans.
Transition to Execution Deliver a fully defined project package at Gate 2 suitable for transition into FEL 3 and execution.
Ensure project scope, cost, schedule, risks, stakeholder alignment, and execution strategy are adequately developed before handoff.
Support knowledge transfer to execution teams and maintain project continuity.
Full Job Posting
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related engineering discipline. 7+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment Experience in project engineering, process technology, or capital projects Working knowledge of front-end loading, project economics, estimating, scheduling, risk management, and project execution. Ability to travel up to 25% Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in business or related field 10+ years of experience in chemical, petrochemical, catalyst, refining, specialty materials, or related process industries. Experience leading projects through multiple FEL phases. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex technical projects. Experience with business case development and capital authorization processes. Strong communication, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to influence decisions across organizations without direct authority. To be considered for this position, candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer. #LI-SK1 Benefits Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance Life Insurance and Disability Grace Wellness Program Flexible Workplace Retirement Plans 401(k) Company Match Paid Vacation and Holidays Parental Leave Tuition Reimbursement Company Donation Match Program Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or related engineering discipline. 7+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment Experience in project engineering, process technology, or capital projects Working knowledge of front-end loading, project economics, estimating, scheduling, risk management, and project execution. Ability to travel up to 25% Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in business or related field 10+ years of experience in chemical, petrochemical, catalyst, refining, specialty materials, or related process industries. Experience leading projects through multiple FEL phases. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex technical projects. Experience with business case development and capital authorization processes. Strong communication, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to influence decisions across organizations without direct authority. To be considered for this position, candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer. #LI-SK1 Benefits Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance Life Insurance and Disability Grace Wellness Program Flexible Workplace Retirement Plans 401(k) Company Match Paid Vacation and Holidays Parental Leave Tuition Reimbursement Company Donation Match Program Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.
About W. R. Grace & Co.
Private specialty-chemicals manufacturer supplying catalysts, engineered materials, process technologies, and fine chemicals to industrial customers.
Visit company websiteJobs and hiring trendsApply for this job in 1 click
Skip the repetitive application forms
Install the Base Career Chrome Extension and autofill job applications across major job boards with your profile.
Trusted by over 500,000 job seekers on Base Career
More from this employer
More jobs at W. R. Grace & Co.
Materials Management Specialist 1
Baltimore, USA
Environmental Manager
Baltimore, USA
Technical Service Manager
Columbia, USA
Logistics Supervisor
Baltimore, USA
Corporate Process Control Leader
Columbia, USA
DO NOT APPLY - test only
, USA
Sr Environmental Specialist
Columbia, USA
MRP Planner
Baltimore, USA