Developing Engineer Program Career Progression
Tyler Roberts, Process Engineer - Lyon, FR
"I have always been interested in better understanding how to make lab-scale chemistry come to life on a grand scale. Doing research and learning how to create simulations at school showed me the general process for making chemistry become reality, but I didn’t fully grasp how to make it happen until I had the opportunity to do internships. This helped me appreciate the importance of industrial and process safety, environmental compliance, and the key role our operators have in keeping our operations running smoothly and safely. When I interviewed at Arkema, I was looking to learn more about which site(s) could allow me to see Arkema’s innovation (from lab to manufacturing) firsthand. My conversations with members from Arkema’s Process Technology and manufacturing groups helped guide me toward the sites that best aligned with my interests.
During my time in the DE program, I was effectively a Production Engineer, Process Improvement Engineer, Project Engineer/Manager, and Process Improvement Engineer. I had the opportunity to manage a $500,000 multi-vessel replacement project, design an Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) monitoring tool for my Greenbelt project, and lead an optimization trial on a bottlenecked dryer. All the experiences I had in Mobile allowed me to join the Pilot Plant team and more quickly problem solve because of my knowledge of how a large manufacturing site operates and how to translate that to a team with more limited resources. I transitioned from the DE program in Mobile to a Process Engineering and Process Development role at the King of Prussia Pilot Plant. I supported daily Kynar® pilot operations, a storage tank replacement project, and a project at the Birdsboro, Pennsylvania site.
I am currently working as a Process Engineer at CETIA in Lyon, France. I officially work in the Technical Direction (DT), which is a part of the CETIA facility and where Arkema leads large global capital projects in the tens to hundreds of millions of Euros. I am on the Project WOOKIEE team, whose goal is to increase the capacity of our Kynar® production unit at the Pierre-Bénite site right outside of Lyon, France which you can actually see from the windows at CETIA! I currently support BFD, PFD, and PID development as well as material and utility balance creation. I am currently working with my Leaders of Tomorrow (LoT) mentor through Arkema to understand what my future career and life goals are and then what types of roles are out there that could match well. I continue to reach out to members of the Arkema community to learn about the responsibilities of these potential future positions."
Intern – West Chester, Pennsylvania (Summer 2015 – 2019)
Developing Engineer, Mobile/Axis, Alabama (2019-2020)
Staff Process Engineer - King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (2020-2021)
Process Engineer - Lyon, France (2022 –Present)
Mike Markowski, Plant Manager - Grand Rapids, MI
"The DE program was still pretty new within Arkema when I was in it starting in 2007. As a DE in Memphis, I was involved in many projects and I was able to interact with a variety of stakeholders and work groups including operations, engineering, maintenance, contractors, KoP central engineering, and equipment vendors. Next I moved to the Calvert City plant which is extremely well-run, and I learned what it takes to operate a safe and efficient continuous operations plant. Moving to Bristol, I found my calling and passion for leadership. I had the most engaged team I ever worked with during my time at the Hahnville plant, it was a new plant with all the bells and whistles. I used my passion for leadership and detail-orientation to help take a team from “good” to “great.”
There are several programs I have utilized beyond the DE program to further my development and extend my network. I joined the Arkema Leaders of Tomorrow (LoT) program to be mentored by a more senior manufacturing leader to which I previously did not have any ties or connections and I also served as a mentor to two new Developing Engineers as they entered the company and then transitioned into their next roles. Aside from LoT, I completed a leadership development course through the local Chamber of Commerce while in Bristol. I am currently the Plant Manager at the Grand Rapids site and have been so since June 2021. This was a new and rewarding challenge for me in moving to an older plant with low automation and addressing gaps in mechanical integrity and process safety.
My advice is to be curious, ask questions and always be learning. Establishing a continual learning mindset will help you grow your career and life in whatever direction you want it to go. Utilize anything and everything at your disposal – people, books, podcasts, training seminars, advanced degrees, etc. Next, I would encourage early career engineers to take advantage of mentor programs and really utilize their mentor. Having someone else to talk to that has walked in your shoes before will be beneficial in helping you navigate your career. Third, show up and be present, especially around senior leaders. As the saying goes, “if you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” Networking is a long journey, not a sprint. Lean on your network in good times and the bad so that you know you are not on the journey alone."
Developing Engineer – Memphis, TN (2007-2009)
Process Engineer to Sr. Process Eng. – Calvert City, KY (2009-2013)
Production Superintendent – Bristol, PA (2013-2018)
Operations Manager – Hahnville, LA (2018-2021)
Plant Manager – Grand Rapids, MI (2021-Present)
Julia Verone, Project Manager - King of Prussia, PA
"During my time in the DE Program, I was able to work with multiple different departments at the Torrance latex production facility. The core part of my role was production engineering where I was able to troubleshoot live plant issues, record downtime for all 4 reactors, trial new product scale ups and implement small site improvements. I was able to work with HSE, maintenance, planning and operations to assist with plant scheduling, safety audits, equipment repairs and much more. The problem solving and controls training within the DE program assisted me in my daily life as a production engineer by teaching me how to troubleshoot production issues. I was able to network with other DEs at different sites to leverage learnings and grow my knowledge of the company.
After my two-year DE assignment at Torrance, I was able to move into the Improvement Engineer role at the site. The transition into this role was quite smooth since I was already familiar with the plant. I was able to work on more CAPEX and OPEX projects at the site, which I did not have much time to work on as a DE. I was able to use my production knowledge to assist me in implementing different projects at the site. In this role, I was able to utilize Arkema’s Lean Six Sigma training program to gain my Greenbelt certification.
I am now in a Project Management role based out of King of Prussia, PA. I was able to use my connections and network that I created as a DE to obtain this role. My production and project roles at Torrance allowed me to gain the baseline plant knowledge I needed to be successful in a corporate support role.
My advice for entry level engineers is to always keep an open mind and utilize the beginning of your career to try out projects in different areas of a production plant. I would also say to network and learn as much as you can from those around you. Arkema is filled with extremely knowledgeable and friendly employees that are willing to help and guide you along, all you have to do is ask!"
2018-2020, Production Engineer (DE Program), Torrance CA
2020-2021, Improvement Engineer, Torrance CA
2021-Present, Project Manager, Remote (KoP)