Director, Engineering
Role Overview
The Director of Engineering provides global leadership for engineering, capital project development, and technical governance across manufacturing and growth platforms.
The role is accountable for engineering strategy, early-stage project development (FEL-0-2), standards, capital approval governance, and operational support, drawing on deep experience in process engineering, operations, and large-scale capital delivery.
The position oversees worldwide engineering activities, manages significant capital budgets, and acts as a senior technical authority supporting strategic initiatives, M&A, and plant operations.
The preferred location for this role is Columbia, MD but candidates from Houston, TX will also be considered.
Responsibilities (1 of 2) Engineering Leadership & Organization Development Lead, coach, and develop the central engineering organization through performance management, calibration, merit and bonus planning, and succession development.
Assemble and lead multidisciplinary teams to develop and advance process concepts from FEL through start-up and operation.
Provide technical leadership and mentoring to senior engineers and subject-matter experts.
Drive engineering capability development aligned with long-term operational and growth needs.
Capital Projects & Strategic Initiatives Provide executive engineering leadership for major capital projects from concept through commissioning and start-up.
Administer the global capital approval and stage-gate process to ensure alignment of scope, cost, schedule, and risk.
Lead and support strategic initiatives including expansions, greenfield facilities, and major maintenance projects.
Serve as engineering design authority for complex or high-risk facilities.
Technical Governance & Standards Establish, maintain, and enforce engineering standards, design guides, and execution practices.
Approve technical workflows, CARs, and gap analyses.
Lead technical assurance reviews, design reviews, and governance boards.
Ensure sound engineering principles are applied across development, scale-up, and operations.
Responsibilities (2 of 2) Operations & Site Support Provide technical support to manufacturing sites to address safety, reliability, quality, and capacity challenges.
Apply deep unit operations knowledge to process troubleshooting and optimization.
Support EHS, compliance, and risk-reduction initiatives globally.
Act as escalation point for complex operational and technical issues.
Financial & Governance Responsibilities Own and manage engineering budgets, forecasting, and cost control at organizational and project levels.
Approve expenses, purchases, and capital expenditures within delegated authority.
Support financial initiatives including R&D tax credit documentation and capital cost benchmarking.
Present engineering scope, risk, and financial position at executive gate reviews.
External & Cross-Functional Engagement Select and govern relationships with third-party engineering and EPC firms globally.
Support M&A activities through engineering and operational due diligence and integration.
Collaborate with R&D, Operations, EHS, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure alignment with business strategy.
Represent engineering leadership in alliances and external technical forums.
Full Job Posting
Required Qualifications
- BS degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related degree. 20+ years of progressive engineering/manufacturing experience in chemicals, refining, catalysts, petrochemicals, specialty materials, or industrial manufacturing. Demonstrated success leading major capital programs Deep expertise in process safety management, process safety expertise, and manufacturing support. Travel up to 15%, including international travel Preferred Qualifications MBA or Master of Engineering Management preferred Experience in process development, operations, and global engineering leadership. Demonstrated success leading major capital programs across multiple regions. Significant capital project experience ($5M-$100M+ projects) GRACE unit operations experience. Proven ability to operate effectively at both strategic and hands-on technical levels. Experience building high-performing technical teams. Experience leading organizational change and transformation initiatives. Experience in Automation and Digital Transformation 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
- BS degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related degree. 20+ years of progressive engineering/manufacturing experience in chemicals, refining, catalysts, petrochemicals, specialty materials, or industrial manufacturing. Demonstrated success leading major capital programs Deep expertise in process safety management, process safety expertise, and manufacturing support. Travel up to 15%, including international travel Preferred Qualifications MBA or Master of Engineering Management preferred Experience in process development, operations, and global engineering leadership. Demonstrated success leading major capital programs across multiple regions. Significant capital project experience ($5M-$100M+ projects) GRACE unit operations experience. Proven ability to operate effectively at both strategic and hands-on technical levels. Experience building high-performing technical teams. Experience leading organizational change and transformation initiatives. Experience in Automation and Digital Transformation 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.
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