Material Developer Thermoplastics

Contitech; San Luis Potosí; On-site; MXN 420,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

ContiTech in Mexico seeks a Material Developer Thermoplastics to advance innovative PVC formulations and sustainable thermoplastic compounds. You will drive material performance, support manufacturing processes, and collaborate with global stakeholders across our product portfolio.

The role requires deep PVC knowledge, communication in English, and willingness to travel internationally up to 10% of time. Join a global team focused on high-quality materials and industrial applications.

Qualifications

• University degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or materials science.
• Deep expertise in PVC formulation and compounding for rigid and flexible systems.
• Experience with PVC additives, stabilization, processing aids and modifiers.

Responsibilities

• Scout, evaluate and qualify new raw materials and compounds to boost performance and cost competitiveness.
• Improve existing material solutions through formulation optimization and lifecycle management.
• Develop processable, sustainable thermoplastic formulations and run trials at labs and toll processors.
• Characterize material performance with analytical methods and translate results into improvements.
• Provide technical support to cross-functional teams and customers on PVC/thermoplastics.

Skills

Fluent English

Education

Chemistry/Chemical Eng./Materials Sci degree

Tools

DSC

TGA

DMA

FTIR

Rheology

Mechanical testing

Job description

Company Description

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

ContiTechis one of the world’s leading material experts for industry applications. The Continentalgroup sectoroffers its customers reliable,safeand convenient industry and service solutions using a range of materials for off-highway applications, on rails and roads, in the air, under and abovethe ground, in industrial environments, for the food sector and the furniture industry. With about20,000 employees (Status as of March 2026) at more than 60 sites globally, and sales of some 6.0billion euros (2025), the global industrial partner is active with core branches in Asia, Europe and North and South America

Job Description

As a Material Developer Thermoplastics (m/f/diverse) , you will play a key role in developing and optimizing innovative thermoplastic material solutions that enhance product performance, support sustainability goals, and contribute to cost-efficient manufacturing processes across our global product portfolio.

Your responsibilities

• Scout, evaluate and qualify new raw materials, additives and thermoplastic compounds to enhance product performance, sustainability and cost competitiveness.


• Continuously improve existing material solutions through formulation optimization, performance monitoring and lifecycle management, including portfolio consolidation, within the area of responsibility, primarily rigid and flexible PVC compounds.


• Develop processable, robust and sustainable thermoplastic compound formulations. Plan, execute and interpret laboratory and pilot-scale compounding trials in the Plastics Compounding Tech Center and at external toll compounders.


• Characterize and validate material performance using standard and advanced analytical methods and translate results into formulation improvements.


• Approve new raw materials and drive their implementation within the chemical recipe management system.


• Create and maintain material specifications, technical standards and formulation documentation.


• Manage material change requests and support industrialization, manufacturing and quality-related activities.


• Provide technical expertise to cross-functional teams, suppliers and customers regarding PVC and thermoplastic material solutions.

Qualifications

• University degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Plastics Engineering or a related discipline.


• Deep expertise in PVC formulation and compounding, including both rigid and flexible PVC systems.


• Strong understanding of PVC additives, stabilization systems, plasticizers, fillers, processing aids and performance modifiers.


• Practical experience in thermoplastic compounding, formulation development and scale-up activities. Several years of professional experience in the plastics industry are desirable.


• Analytical mindset, solid knowledge of analytical and characterization methods for thermoplastics, particularly PVC (e.g., DSC, TGA, DMA, FTIR, rheology, mechanical testing and weathering methods) and a solid understanding of structure-property relationships.


• Experience with structured problem-solving methodologies such as Ishikawa, 5 Why, DOE, FMEA and statistical data analysis.


• Desirable: additional experience with thermoplastic elastomers, polyamides, polypropylene or other engineering thermoplastics.


• Experience with PVC materials used in fluid handling, industrial, construction or transportation applications is considered a strong advantage.


• Fluent in EnglishYou


• inspire your stakeholder and contact partner with an effective communication of high intercultural sensitivity,


• are comfortable working in an international environment and collaborating with global stakeholders and are willing to travel internationally (up to 10% of working time),


• are convinced that networking and knowledge sharing are key drivers for success,


• are open for new working styles and new processes.

Additional Information

At Continental we are committed to building an inclusive and discrimination-free ecosystem in Mexico, these principles are rooted in our corporate philosophy and culture. Therefore, it is totally forbidden to request a pregnancy or HIV test as part of our selection processes.

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EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer

Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply.