Senior Process Engineer

About Umicore

Powering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high-end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life.

About Battery Materials Solutions

Umicore’s battery materials solutions are delivering the future of electric mobility. We improve safety, enable faster charging and boost the range and durability of batteries. But our innovation does not stop there.

We offer our customers industry leading battery recycling solutions for critical metals like cobalt, nickel, lithium and copper.

To deliver a circular and sustainable battery materials value chain, we cannot stand still. Solving complex mobility challenges demands ambitious thinking and continuous innovation. This is where you come in.

Your Key Accountabilities

• Monitor production processes and product quality through visual inspections, process data analysis, and statistical tools (SPC), with a focus on Key Control Characteristics (KCC) and Key Process Characteristics (KPC).
• Ensure sustainable product quality and optimal production performance through process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop reprocessing plans to minimize losses related to non-conforming products.
• Prepare reports related to testing activities, process performance, and quality monitoring.
• Create and maintain process and product engineering documentation.
• Support Production teams in resolving complex process-related challenges and quality concerns.
• Drive process efficiency improvements, conduct process and equipment trials, and implement approved changes.
• Support technology transfers, production line commissioning, qualification trials, raw material validations, and Management of Change (MOC) activities.
• Coordinate process-related activities within engineering and capital projects, including process development, optimization, and modification during commissioning, flashing, and line acceptance.
• Organize and lead internal equipment testing programs in collaboration with global teams.
• Investigate quality issues, implement corrective actions, and establish effective process controls.
• Prepare and maintain quality documentation, including Control Plans, PFMEA, CFMEA, Flow Charts, and Key Control Characteristics.
• Manage and execute R&D projects and initiatives.
• Lead Continuous Improvement projects focused on throughput enhancement, scrap reduction, and CAPEX/OPEX optimization.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend new technologies, equipment, and process solutions.
• Build process knowledge within the organization through documentation, standardization, and best-practice sharing.
• Participate in Safety, Environmental, Quality, and Energy Management Systems in line with defined responsibilities.
• Prepare data for PDC updates and reporting.
• Collaborate daily with Global Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
• Lead and coordinate local industrialization activities for new products and processes in collaboration with Global Process Innovation (GPI) and R&D teams.
• Share implementation results with project stakeholders and contribute to decisions regarding future development and scale-up activities.
• Participate in global project discussions and lead locally assigned product and process implementation projects.
• Establish and maintain quality documentation for new products and processes, including Control Plans and PFMEAs.
• Act as the primary local interface between Production, Quality, Engineering, R&D, Asset Management, and other site functions.
• Initiate and coordinate internal or external testing of new processes and equipment and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Translate R&D and process development requirements into detailed process documentation for CAPEX projects.

Who we are looking for

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• More than 8 years of experience within a relevant manufacturing or process industry.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, process technology development, or R&D project management.
• Strong expertise in process development, process technologies, and manufacturing equipment.
• Experience covering process design, process development, plant commissioning, start-up activities, or large-scale serial production environments.
• Solid knowledge of chemical engineering principles and powder handling technologies.
• Understanding of process safety requirements and best practices.
• Ability to create and interpret technical process documentation, including PFDs, P&IDs, mass balances, process descriptions, and cost calculations.
• Strong chemistry knowledge supporting process development and R&D activities.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data management systems.
• Knowledge of process simulation and modelling software such as Aspen or Metsim is an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, IATF 16949:2016, DFMEA, and PFMEA methodologies.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to make decisions, influence stakeholders, and drive actions to completion.
• Results-oriented with a high level of ownership and accountability.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a matrix organization and across multiple business functions.
• Analytical and critical thinker with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Naturally curious, innovative, and passionate about technology.
• Structured and methodical problem solver.
• Creative in developing practical and sustainable solutions.
• Strong team player with proven collaboration skills.
• Respectful, confident, and assertive communicator.
• Able to thrive in a dynamic environment and work effectively under tight deadlines.

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?