Description
Evaluate and engineer polymers, blends, and polymer-based composites, and develop the machinery and processes to manufacture them for products with specialized design and performance requirements. Formulate compounds and select materials, then optimize processing methods such as extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming, and additive manufacturing to meet mechanical, thermal, chemical, regulatory, and cost targets.
- • Analyze failure data and test results to determine causes in polymers and implement solutions.
- • Monitor in-service polymer performance and evaluate aging, creep, UV, and chemical degradation.
- • Supervise technologists, technicians, and other engineers in polymer R&D and manufacturing.
- • Design and direct testing protocols and process controls for polymerization and processing.
- • Evaluate technical specifications and economic trade-offs for material and process selection.
- • Conduct or supervise QC tests on resins, compounds, and finished plastic parts.
- • Manage proposals, budgets, schedules, and technical reports.
- • Collaborate with mechanical, chemical, and manufacturing teams to solve cross-disciplinary problems.
- • Plan and evaluate new polymer projects with stakeholders and leadership.
- • Review product designs and recommend polymers, blends, or composites based on performance, regulatory, and cost targets.
- • Design polymer processing lines, molds, dies, and tooling.
- • Modify polymer properties via compounding, reinforcement, additives, crosslinking, or annealing.
- • Guide staff in developing formulations and processing recipes for targeted applications.
- • Plan and run lab and pilot operations to develop materials and fabrication methods that meet specs and cost.
- • Define fabrication and joining methods such as injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, 3D printing, welding, and adhesive or solvent bonding.
- • Conduct training on polymer materials, applications, and processing for customers and plant personnel.
- • Supervise production and testing in polymerization, compounding, extrusion, and molding operations.
- • Publish or contribute to technical papers, standards, or trade publications.
- • Model polymer behavior and part performance using rheology, FEA, and process simulations.
- • Ensure compliance with relevant standards and regulations (ASTM, ISO, UL, FDA, REACH, RoHS).
- • Drive sustainability initiatives in polymers, including recyclability, biobased materials, and waste reduction.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
