Formulation Process Development Engineer

Role details

The Formulation Process Development Engineer within Product Science and Technology at Corteva Agriscience, works within a team of formulation chemists, analysts, technicians and Operations personnel to develop process routes to manufacture and scale up existing and emerging novel agrichemical formulations. This role is responsible for (a) evaluating critical process parameters through experimental design, (b) demonstrating the solutions in a scale-up environment and (c) transferring the technology to manufacturing to realize value for the business.

This position is located at the Corteva Agriscience Global Business Unit site in Indianapolis, Indiana and reports to the technical manager of the Formulation Process Science & Technology Group.

Core Responsibilities

As a team member of the R&D team, the Formulation Process Development Engineer is required to make key decisions in regard to their respective research projects that will have both immediate and long-term impact to the Corteva Agriscience Crop Protection business. Curiosity, critical thinking and collaboration are required to be successful in this role. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Job Responsibilities

*Designing and conducting research activities to enable successful launch of crop protection formulated products: (70%)*

• Working with Formulation Scientists to plan and coordinate appropriate trials to determine scale-up feasibility
• Using Design of Experiment (DoE) to design and conduct experiments to understand key process variables that affect product performance, quality, stability and manufacturability.
• Important properties include, viscosity, particle size, bulk density, dispersion time, suspensibility, emulsion stability, etc.
• Formulation types include water-dispersible granules (WDG), oil-dispersions (OD), capsule suspensions (CS), soluble liquids (SL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), suspension concentrates (SC), baits etc. of new and existing active molecules
• Conducting research and testing to implement practical solutions to formulation manufacturing challenges
• Coordinating and planning cross-functional samples for reactive chemistry, packaging compatibility, application studies, material compatibility, etc.
• Communicating data-based recommendations to stakeholders to enable successful product launch
• Documenting key process considerations and parameters in technical reports

*Partnering with multidisciplinary teams to plan and support process demonstration trials, provide manufacturing plant support and launch new formulations (20%)*

• Developing trial plans for manufacturing scale trials
• Providing startup support for newly launched formulations
• Drafting documentation to capture and transfer learnings from DOE and plant trial
• Troubleshooting process issues and providing solutions to manufacturing

*Producing field trial, regulatory, applications and other experimental samples at pilot scale (10%)*

• Consolidating sample requests and coordinating procurement of raw materials to produce them

Education

• BS, MS or PhD in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, material science, or chemistry, plus 4-6 years of relevant industrial or R&D experience (preferred).

Required Qualifications

• Analyzing and interpreting data, report-writing, and clearly communicating data-based process steps and scale-up parameter recommendations
• Fostering a strong commitment to safety and environmental responsibility
• Experience in Formulation or chemical process scale-up and/or process development
• Capable of setting up pilot scale laboratory equipment
• Ability to work independently and drive projects to completion
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Ability to successfully partner with team members and stakeholders from multiple backgrounds
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to deliver presentations that distill complex ideas and proactively communicate results and progress to technical teams, supervision, management, and business leadership
• Ability to travel up to 10%

Benefits – How We’ll Support You

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
• Check out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life

Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.