Esra Ilhan

Lead Engineer @BASF Antwerp | MSc in Chemical& Materials Engineering @ULiège& KU Leuven

Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium

About

Chemical & Materials Engineer with experience in the chemical industry. I joined BASF Antwerp through the Young Graduate Program, starting with a traditional process engineering role where I gained hands‑on experience in process design, process safety, and project execution within complex CapEx project environments. Later I moved to my current process analyst position where I have further developed my expertise by leading cross‑functional initiatives, improving engineering workflows, and driving standardization across teams. My goal is to leverage my knowledge and skills to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions for the manufacturing industry.

Experience

  • BASF (Full-time · 3 yrs 10 mos)
    • Process Analyst& Team Coordinator @Engineering
      Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

      -Standardize P&ID and engineering workflows for CapEx and operational projects and coordinate the multidisciplinary P&ID Service Center team to ensure alignment with BASF guidelines -Implement automation and digital tools, mapping processes with specialists to reduce engineering cycle time -Drive site-level discussions on industrial digitalization and tool interfaces to align technology with operational needs and enable further process improvements

    • Lead Process Engineer
      Sep 2022 - Dec 2025 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      -Led large capital investment projects related to new installations or the renewal of existing ones from study phase to project execution (planning, cost estimation, designing)-Implemented process modifications that enhance safety and reduce risks (preparing HAZOP and SHE studies) -Management and drafting PIDs -Executing process calculations (hydraulic calculations, pressure relieving designs, sizing equipment, etc. ) -Maintaining effective communication with project team members and client

  • Intern at CEBEDEAU
    Feb 2021 - Mar 2021 · 2 mos

    Analytical Chemistry Internship -Providing the current process analysis -Improving the existing sampling & analyzing techniques for the total organic carbon analyzer/TOC-Vcp

  • Retail Supplier at Decathlon Türkiye
    Mar 2019 - Sep 2019 · 7 mos

    -Writing and implementing a supply policy/ strategies -Building a profitable supply for the future offer -Forecasting sales & purchasing quantities along the season

  • Lab Assistant at Yildiz Technical University
    Apr 2017 - Jul 2018 · 1 yr 4 mos

    -Assisted in the day-to-day operations of a membrane gas separation laboratory -Responsible for analyzing the data, compiling results, preparing reports & presenting their conclusions

  • Intern Student at Tessenderlo Group
    Aug 2017 - Aug 2017 · 1 mo

    - Optimisation of new equipment and examination of Gelatine treatment process