Polymer Development Engineer

TechWare Group; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent manufacturing company is seeking a Polymer Technologist to lead formulation and development of high-performance elastomers. The role encompasses hands-on recipe development and innovation in polymer chemistry, aimed at critical industries. Candidates should have substantial experience in polymer formulation, testing, and a passion for materials science. This is a permanent full-time role based in Singapore, offering a competitive salary package and potential for career advancement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience compounding TPE, TPV, NBR, HNBR, FKM.
• Experience with lab mixing and rheometry.
• Hands-on familiarity with formulation software.

Responsibilities

• Develop and qualify elastomer formulations for high-performance applications.
• Conduct mechanical testing and lead engineering studies.
• Generate scale-up protocols and maintain formulation records.

Skills

Formulation Development

Lab Analytical Testing

Statistical Analysis

Material Innovation

Technical Writing

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Polymer Science

Chemical Engineering

Materials Science

Job description

#Semiconductor Manufacturing #Defense Engineering #Aerospace Materials #High Performance Polymers #Cross Functional R&D #TPE #HNBR #FKM #FFKM.

Job Location: Singapore West Lok Yang Road.

Salary Package: SGD4,000 - SGD8,000 commensurate with experience.

Job Types: Permanent, Full Time, Onsite, 5 days.

Business Sector: Group Business for Techware Group of Companies.

Job Scope (overview)

The Polymer Technologist / Polymer Development Engineer leads end‑to‑end formulation and compounding of high‑performance elastomers—primarily TPE, TPV, NBR, HNBR and FKM and FFKM compounds — for high precision and high performance components used in mission critical industries such as Semiconductor, Aerospace, Energy and Defence.

The role combines hands‑on recipe development with horizon‑scanning of emerging polymer chemistries and additives to keep the company at the forefront of material innovation. The position spans lab‑scale compounding, mechanical and lab analytical testing, pilot‑plant scale‑up, vendor development and cross‑functional collaboration with R&D, Applications, Engineering, Quality and Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimise and qualify TPE, TPV, NBR, HNBR and FKM and FFKM compound formulations to meet target properties (hardness, tensile, elongation, compression set, abrasion, chemical resistance, temperature range, ESD range).
• Design and conduct lab‑scale mixing, milling and vulcanisation trials; interpret rheometer, cure curve and viscosity data to refine processing windows.
• Plan and execute mechanical testing: tensile/elongation/modulus (ASTM D412), compression set (ASTM D395 A/B), compression deflection (ASTM D575), abrasion (DIN 53516/ASTM D5963), rebound resilience (ASTM D2632), and static‑dissipative or volume resistivity (ANSI/ESD STM 11.11 to 11.14), amongst others.
• Lead engineering studies on materials using TGA, DSC, FTIR, DMA, SEM/EDX, ash content and solvent extraction to identify best in class polymer types, filler packages and additive systems.
• Benchmark global technology trends— PFAS/PDMS free compounds, bio‑based elastomers, fluorosilicone hybrids, TPVs, conductive or self‑healing rubbers—and assess fit for next‑generation products.
• Generate scale‑up protocols, mixing work instructions and control plans for production transfer; support PPAP/FAI submissions and customer qualification runs.
• Drive cost‑reduction and performance‑enhancement projects through raw‑material substitution, processing aids, cure‑system optimisation and filler surface‑treatment selection.
• Maintain accurate formulation records, test datasets and technical reports; present findings to management and customer engineering teams.
• Ensure all R&D and testing activities comply with ISO 9001 and relevant EH&S standards (hazardous chemicals, dust control, waste disposal).
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Polymer Science, Rubber Technology, Chemical Engineering or Materials Science.
• 5+ years direct experience compounding or formulating TPE, TPV, NBR, HNBR, FKM, and FFKM elastomers for industrial or automotive applications.
• Proven proficiency with laboratory mixing (internal mixer, two‑roll mill), rheometry (MDR, RPA), physical‑property testing, and analytical characterisation techniques.
• Hands‑on familiarity with statistical DOE, formulation software (e.g., SigmaSoft, JMP), and basic statistical analysis (Cp/Cpk, ANOVA).
• Demonstrated success transferring lab recipes to pilot or production scale and troubleshooting compression molding, injection molding, and curing defects.
  
  

Other Important Attributes

• Strong curiosity for emerging polymer chemistries and cross‑industry material advances.
• Analytical mindset with ability to link composition–structure–property relationships.
• Self‑starter comfortable balancing long‑term R&D with urgent production support.
• Collaborative approach when interfacing with internal stakeholders.
• Clear technical writing and presentation skills; capable of articulating complex findings to non‑specialists.
  
  

Career Progression

Success in this position can lead to Senior Materials Scientist, R&D Team Lead or Materials Manager roles within the our Materials Centre of Excellence.

About Techware

Techware is a leading provider of comprehensive advanced manufacturing services, catering to a diverse range of industries including Semiconductor, Medical, Aerospace, Automotive, and Oil & Gas. Strategically headquartered in Singapore, we also operate manufacturing facilities in China, Malaysia and Philippines. We specialize in Precision Machining, adhering to the strictest tolerances, and offer high-tech fabrication of sheet metal components, welding of crucial structures/frames, wire and cable harnessing along with complete system integration, assembly, and rigorous testing of equipment. Techware Group is a synergistic amalgamation of various companies, with our business operations spanning across diverse sectors. We have established a strong presence in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, UK, and the US, demonstrating stable, long term growth and an expanding global footprint. Website http://www.techwaregroup.com Industries: Machinery Manufacturing / Manufacturer of machinery & equipment Company size: 100 to 500 employees Type: Privately Held