Junior Chemical Engineer

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.

We are seeking a Jr. Chemical Engineer to join our breakthrough technologies team at Alcoa’s Technical Center, located in New Kensington, PA. This professional will provide foundational chemical engineering support to technology development, plant support, and process improvement activities under close technical supervision. This role is intended to build strong technical fundamentals, safe work practices, and business understanding through hands-on execution, analysis, and learning. The Entry Engineer applies established engineering principles to well-scoped or moderately complex problems while developing judgment, independence, and technical depth.

About the Role:

• Apply core chemical engineering principles including mass and energy balances, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and reaction fundamentals.

• Execute defined experiments, trials, test plans, or process changes following established procedures and review requirements.

• Analyze experimental, process, and operational data and document methods, results, and conclusions.

• Support troubleshooting of process deviations using standard analytical tools.

• Contribute to technical documentation, calculations, reports, and knowledge capture.

• Support laboratory, pilot, or plant activities in compliance with safety, quality, and environmental requirements.

• Collaborate with technicians, operators, engineers, and cross-functional partners including EHS and Operations.

• Demonstrate continuous learning and development of technical and business knowledge.

• Contributes as an individual technical team member.

• Works under close functional supervision with regular technical review.

• Build effective working relationships within assigned scope.

• May provide informal assistance to interns, co-ops, or technicians as directed.

Problem Complexity & Autonomy

• Solves well-scoped or moderately complex problems using established engineering methods.

• Follows standard procedures, specifications, and engineering practices.

• Escalates ambiguous, novel, or high-risk issues appropriately.

• Demonstrates increasing autonomy as experience and competence develop.

Process Lifecycle Involvement

• Supports defined portions of the process lifecycle including laboratory, pilot, plant support, optimization, or validation activities.

• Executes work within established scope and technical direction.

• Gains exposure to broader lifecycle phases through project participation.

What you can bring to this role:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (required).

• 0–3 years of engineering experience, including internships or co-op experience.

• Exposure to laboratory, pilot-scale, or manufacturing environments preferred.

• Fundamental understanding of chemical engineering principles.

• Ability to analyze and interpret data using standard engineering tools.

• Familiarity with safe work practices and risk awareness.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to learn quickly, follow procedures, and incorporate feedback.

Physical & Work Environment

• Work may be performed in laboratory, pilot, or industrial plant environments.

• Ability to comply with site safety requirements including PPE usage.

• Occasional travel to plant or test facilities may be required.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages, including pay-for performance variable pay, recognition and rewards programs, and stock-based compensation awards (3-year vesting schedule)

• Flexible spending accounts and generous employer contribution to the HSA

• 401(k), employer match up to 6%, additional employer retirement income contribution (no vesting period), and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan

• 12 paid holidays per year.

• 15 days of paid vacation (pro-rated from hire date).

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

#LI-TL2

About the Location

Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh. We develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry!

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.  Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.   

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.  

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at gssrecruiting@alcoa.com.  

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!  

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.