Co/Op

POSITION OVERVIEW 

Engineering Interns will apply engineering and safety principles in a chemical and/or polymer manufacturing environment. Interns may also rotate between sites to gain experience with unique processes and operations.  

TARGETED OUTCOMES 

Each intern will be assigned a project, performed under the guidance of experienced engineers. Projects will provide experience in: 

• reducing waste 
• increasing efficiencies 
• streamlining processes 
• troubleshooting issues 
• providing root cause failure analysis of operating problems 
• identifying cost savings and/or updating procedures.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

Interns will work closely in assisting an engineer or engineering manager with projects relating to one of the following functions: 

• Manufacturing – Manufacturing engineering teams support day-to-day operations with detailed process and technical guidance in the execution of scheduled production. 
• Production – The Production Engineering function provides technical guidance on process matters for a manufacturing unit and works to improve process capability, manage capacity planning, and maximize raw material usage. 
• Process Technology – The Process Technology function is responsible for the fundamental, scientific knowledge used to produce the chemicals intermediates used in the Nylon 6,6 and other specialty chemicals market segments. 
• Process Design- The Process design function provides innovative and cost-effective process design alternatives. This function also provides credible and creative process design packages for capital projects across the company.   
• Maintenance & Reliability – The Reliability function provides technical reliability direction and focuses on improving mechanical, electrical and instrumentation systems reliability through the development and implementation of predictive and preventive reliability processes.   

TEAM 

• Reports to: Department Manager 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE 

• The candidate must be currently enrolled in school and have completed their sophomore year with at least one semester of courses to be completed in the field of: 
• Chemical engineering, Polymer & Fiber / Material Science Engineering, or Chemistry 
• Electrical engineering 
• Mechanical engineering 
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required 
• Recognized leadership experience 
• Students will be expected to be on site daily, this is not a remote role 
• Must have own reliable transportation to and from site daily, housing assistance is provided for students who are not local (within 50 miles) 

PREFERRED SKILLS 

• The ideal candidate will be highly motivated 
• Outstanding academic records in their degree of study 
• Possess interest in an industrial environment  
• Able to build effective relationships across their site 
• Strong operational discipline 

LOCATIONS 

• Alvin, TX: (near Houston) Chocolate Bayou serves as the starting point for Ascend’s entire PA66 product chain through the production of acrylonitrile at this site. Chocolate Bayou also produces specialty and other chemicals in addition to hosting operations on behalf of guest companies. 
• Pensacola, FL: Pensacola is the world’s largest fully integrated PA66 manufacturing facility. The site brings in adiponitrile from the Decatur plant to convert to HMD and brings in the raw materials ammonia, cyclohexane and phenol to produce adipic acid. The site also produces specialty chemicals. 
• Decatur, AL: (near Huntsville) Decatur hosts Ascend’s adiponitrile production facility, one of only a few globally, and a world scale hexamethylenediamine production unit. Decatur is home to Ascend’s growing specialty chemicals business with multiple products produced, including propionitrile (PN) and triaminononane (TAN). 
• Foley, AL: The Foley plant produces high-quality PA66 Ultron® carpet fiber and Vydyne® nylon molding resin compounds for a broad base of customers. 

At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

Skills Summary:

About Us:

Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. With world scale integrated manufacturing facilities we are able to develop new products from our core technologies, and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution facilities across the globe and six manufacturing facilities globally. As a privately-held company, our people do big things and make big decisions, often much earlier in their careers than at larger companies. Ascend Performance Materials offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big, meaningful ways—all within a stable and growing business.

Why work at Ascend?

Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values.

We care. We operate safely with high integrity for our employees, our customers and our communities. Our people are our greatest assets, and our Total Rewards Program extends beyond traditional benefits to include access to on-site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities, a global wellness rewards program and Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan. Our Commitment to Zero demonstrates our belief that is it possible to operate with zero personal injuries, zero process safety incidents and zero environmental releases. And the Ascend Cares Foundation, led by Ascend employees, supports Ascend families in times of need, provides inspiring opportunities ​​for community engagement and facilitates community leadership.

Customer-focused. We exist for our customers; they drive our actions. Their success is our success. Our plastics and chemicals are building blocks that help make everyday essentials safer and more sustainable, and we constantly strive to develop new and innovative products to meet the future needs of our customers. And that customer focus doesn’t only apply to the marketplace – it also applies to how we treat our colleagues and our fellow community members.

Better every day. We invest in our people and our processes to improve every day. A2E, our continuous improvement program, guides the way we do business. And this way of problem solving applies not only to our manufacturing practices but also to our commitment to developing our people. You’ll see it during your career at Ascend in our leadership development, skills training and mentoring programs

Agile. We think broadly and lead proactively in a constantly evolving organization and industry. Agility doesn’t mean simply working quickly – it means critical thinking, creative problem solving and novel approaches to everyday challenges.

One Ascend. All together, with a common set of goals and an eye toward the future. We don’t accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments, sites and geography. This means you won’t be boxed into a single role at Ascend – you could get the chance to work with teams across the globe to improve the way we serve our people, our customers and our communities.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.