Regional Vulcanization Specialist

BOGE Rubber & Plastics; San Luis Potosí; On-site; MXN 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

BOGE Rubber & Plastics in Mexico is seeking a Regional Rubber-Metal Process Specialist to support manufacturing operations and engineering teams across MX, BR, and the US. You will own process standardization for rubber-to-metal bonding and optimize surface prep and vulcanization in a hands-on role.

Travel ~30–40% regionally to audit plants, assist line launches, and drive APQP/PPAP activities under IATF 16949.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on process engineering experience in rubber-to-metal bonding.
• Deep technical background in elastomer materials (NR, EPDM, NBR) and bonding chemistry.
• Experience with rubber molding presses (e.g., DESMA, Maplan, LWB).

Responsibilities

• Regional Process Support: Drive process standardization and troubleshooting for rubber-to-metal bonding across MX, BR, US.
• Master the Bond: Optimize surface prep and adhesive/primer application to achieve zero debond failures.
• Control Vulcanization: Define curing profiles, mold temperatures, and press parameters based on rheology data.
• Troubleshoot & Analyze: Lead failure analysis to resolve high-visibility issues.
• Tooling & Launch: Support APQP/PPAP phases for new regional launches under IATF 16949.
• Travel: ~30–40% regional travel for audits and line-side support.

Skills

rubber-to-metal bonding

elastomer materials

bonding chemistry

multi-plant coordination

Education

B.S. in Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering

Tools

DESMA/Maplan/LWB presses

Job description

Are you an expert in vulcanization, surface prep, and elastomer-to-metal bonding across multi-plant environments? We are looking for a hands-on Regional Rubber-Metal Process Specialist to support our manufacturing operations and engineering teams across Mexico, Brazil, and the United States.

The Technical Challenge

Getting two fundamentally different materials—organic rubber compounds and metallic substrates—to form a permanent, indestructible bond under extreme heat, pressure, and dynamic fatigue. In this regional role, you will be the technical authority ensuring robust bonding processes and standardized quality across multiple facilities in the Americas.

What You’ll Do

• Regional Process Support: Drive process standardization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement for rubber-to-metal bonding operations across plants in MX, BR, and the US.
• Master the Bond: Optimize multi-stage substrate surface preparation (shot blasting, phosphating) and automated adhesive/primer application (e.g., Chemlok/Megum) to achieve zero debond failures across all sites.
• Control Vulcanization: Define optimal curing profiles, mold temperatures, degassing cycles, and press parameters based on compound rheology (MDR/ODR) data.
• Troubleshoot & Analyze: Lead complex failure analysis—distinguishing between stock tear, adhesive failure, and substrate failure—to resolve high-visibility plant scrap or field issues.
• Tooling & Launch: Partner with tooling engineers and compounders during APQP/PPAP phases for new regional product launches under IATF 16949 standards.
• Travel: Travel to regional plant sites as needed for process audits, new line commissions, and technical line-side support (~30–40% regional travel).

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of hands-on process engineering experience in rubber-to-metal bonding (NVH, powertrain mounts, chassis bushings, dynamic dampers).
• Deep technical background in elastomer materials (NR, EPDM, NBR) and bonding chemistry.
• Experience with rubber molding presses (e.g., DESMA, Maplan, LWB, or similar).
• Multilingual capabilities: Professional proficiency in English is required; fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is a plus
• Ability to work effectively across cross-cultural engineering and manufacturing teams.
• B.S. in Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.