R&D Engineer – Consumer Goods (Adhesive)

3M; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

3M in Bengaluru invites an experienced R&D Engineer to lead end-to-end development of premier consumer mounting systems, PSAs, and related tapes under iconic brands like Command and Scotch. You will bridge bench-scale polymer chemistry with commercial production, coordinating with CMOs/ODMs in a rigorous, IP-aware workflow.

The role requires 3–8 years in adhesives and nonwovens, hands-on formulation of acrylic/rubber/silicone PSAs, external-manufacturer management, and strong collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field.
• 3–8 years of consumer goods product development experience, especially adhesives, sealants, and nonwovens.
• Hands-on formulation of acrylic, rubber, or silicone-based PSAs.
• Experience managing external contract manufacturers and tech transfer.
• Direct application history with double-sided mounting systems or related products.
• Proficiency in MS Office for reporting and presentations.
• Fluency in English, Hindi, and a regional language.
• Willingness to travel to vendor sites for trials and audits.

Responsibilities

• Formulation design and optimization of PSAs and related coatings in Bengaluru lab.
• Source and integrate backing films, liners, and foams from global suppliers.
• Serve as primary technical contact for external manufacturers during tech transfer and scale-up.
• Translate benchtop formulations to high-speed manufacturing like slot-die coating.
• Support patent landscapes and draft documentation for freedom-to-operate.
• Write raw material specs, finished goods requirements, and SOPs.
• Lead root-cause analyses of manufacturing deviations and validate tests.

Skills

Formulation expertise

External manufacturing

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

DoE software

Job description

3M has a long-standing reputation as a company committed to innovation. We provide the freedom to explore and encourage curiosity and creativity. We gain new insight from diverse thinking, and take risks on new ideas. Here, you can apply your talent in bold ways that matter.

Job Description

Job Description: R&D Engineer – Consumer Goods (Adhesive)

Location: Bengaluru, India (R&D Centre) Position Type: Full-time

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced R&D Engineer to join R&D team in Bengaluru. This role drives the end-to-end development of premier consumer mounting systems, technical tapes, and Home Improvement solutions under iconic global portfolios like the 3M Command™ Brand and Scotch™ Brand. The ideal candidate balances hands‑on laboratory formulation with the technical management of external manufacturing partners (CMOs/ODMs). You will bridge the gap between bench‑scale polymer chemistry and commercial‑scale production using a scientific work approach, a strong collaborative mindset, and robust intellectual property awareness.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulation Design: Synthesize, modify, and optimize pressure‑sensitive adhesives (PSAs), specialized sealants, and elastomeric functional coatings directly in our Bengaluru laboratory.
• Material Sourcing: Evaluate, select, and integrate structural backing films, liner materials, and specialized foams from global suppliers for high‑performance, damage‑free mounting applications.
• Vendor Management: Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external manufacturing partners to oversee technology transfer, pilot runs, and scale‑up trials.
• Lab-to-Scale Translation: Convert benchtop formulations into robust, high‑speed manufacturing processes including slot‑die coating, lamination, and web converting.
• Intellectual Property Protection: Navigate complex patent landscapes, identify competitive white spaces, and draft technical documentation to support freedom‑to‑operate (FTO) evaluations.
• Specification Ownership: Author raw material specifications, finished goods requirements, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and tech‑transfer packages using standard documentation tools.
• Quality & Validation: Lead root‑cause analysis for manufacturing deviations and establish rigorous mechanical test methods (peel, shear, tack, fluid absorption, and stretch‑release profiles).

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• Experience: Minimum 3–8 years of consumer goods product development experience, specifically covering adhesives, sealants, and nonwovens.
• Formulation Expertise: Demonstrated success in hands‑on formulation of acrylic, rubber, or silicone‑based pressure‑sensitive adhesives.
• External Manufacturing: Proven experience managing technical relationships, quality audits, or production scale‑ups with external contract manufacturers.
• Product Background: Direct application history contributing to commercially successful double‑sided mounting systems, clear tapes, utility hooks, or heavy‑duty mechanical mounting tools.
• Software Literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for data reporting, documentation, and presentations.
• Language Skills: Professional fluency in spoken and written English, Hindi, and the regional language to effectively collaborate with local teams and manufacturing partners.
• Travel: Flexibility to travel to vendor sites for trials, product validation and supplier audits.

Core Competencies

• Scientific Approach: A structured, methodology‑driven work approach to research, development, and laboratory testing.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and logical reasoning skills to troubleshoot production issues and interpret complex material test data.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills tailored for technical reporting and vendor negotiations.
• Mindset & Teamwork: A proactive "Can-do" attitude and a proven track record as an effective, highly cooperative team player.

Preferred Skills

• Statistical Tools: Competency in Design of Experiments (DoE) software to optimize multi‑variable lab formulations efficiently.
• Project Management: Familiarity with Stage‑Gate product development processes and managing cross‑functional timelines.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Understanding of ISO, ASTM, BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) and global regulatory constraints relevant to consumer goods (e.g., REACH, RoHS, VOC limits).

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