Manufacturing Process Engineer – Polymer Science

Key Responsibilities

Drive Process Innovation and Optimization

• Design, develop, and optimize polymer manufacturing processes, including extrusion, drawing, compounding, and polymerization.
• Evaluate existing processes to identify opportunities to improve production efficiency, increase yield, enhance product quality, and maximize throughput.
• Lead the scale-up of new products and pilot processes into full commercial manufacturing.
• Apply engineering principles and technical expertise to develop reliable, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions.

Provide Hands-On Manufacturing Support

• Serve as a technical resource for production teams, troubleshooting manufacturing challenges, process variations, and product defects.
• Support product development, process improvements, and manufacturing scalability.
• Monitor and optimize Critical to Quality (CTQ) process parameters to ensure consistent product performance and manufacturing reliability.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), process documentation, and manufacturing best practices.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to resolve production issues and support operational performance.

Champion Continuous Improvement

• Lead process improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs, minimize waste, and improve operational efficiency while maintaining product specifications.
• Leverage process data, statistical analysis, and analytical tools to identify trends, solve problems, and support data-driven decisions.
• Collaborate across teams to implement sustainable improvements in manufacturing performance.

Support Quality, Safety, and Compliance

• Ensure manufacturing processes align with applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements, including ISO, ASTM, and FDA standards, where applicable.
• Partner with Quality Assurance teams to investigate manufacturing issues, conduct root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain compliance with applicable safety and environmental requirements, including OSHA and EPA guidelines.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence throughout manufacturing operations.

Collaborate Across Teams to Deliver Results

• Partner with Research & Development teams to support new product introduction (NPI), process development, and technology transfer.
• Work closely with Maintenance and Engineering teams on equipment improvements, upgrades, and reliability initiatives.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to support successful product commercialization and ongoing production.
• Interface with suppliers and customers on technical matters as needed to support manufacturing and product performance.

Qualifications

Minimum Education Required: Bachelor's degree (Preferred Fields of study: Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or related field).

Experience: 5 years of hands on manufacturing experience required. Hands-on experience with equipment such as extruders, reactors, mixers, and drawing required. Prior experience in polymer processing or chemical manufacturing highly preferred.

Preferred Skills

• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry and processing techniques.
• Knowledge of rheology, thermodynamics, and material characterization methods (DSC, TGA, GPC, etc.).
• Familiarity with process simulation tools and statistical software (e.g., Minitab, JMP).
• Experience with ERP and MES systems is a plus (especially relevant in manufacturing environments).

Skills That Will Help You Succeed

• Analytical Problem-Solving: Ability to evaluate complex technical challenges, identify root causes, and develop practical, effective solutions.
• Collaboration and Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate technical initiatives, and drive projects toward successful completion.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement and supporting manufacturing excellence.

Work Environment

• Combination of office, laboratory, and manufacturing plant settings
• May require exposure to chemicals, high temperatures, and industrial equipment (PPE required).
• Occasional travel to suppliers, customers, or other manufacturing sites.