R & D Engineer

VITA MATERA PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 33,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and performance 20%

Training and professional development

Career growth opportunities

Collaborative and innovative team

Job summary

VITA MATERA PTE. LTD. in Singapore seeks an hands-on R&D Lab Technician to support development of Expandable Polypropylene (EPP) and polymer foam materials. You will prepare formulations, operate lab equipment, and contribute to new product development.

The role offers on-site work, on-the-job training, and opportunities to work closely with engineering teams, with exposure to advanced polymer materials and testing methods.

Qualifications

• Requires Diploma/Higher NITEC or Degree inMechanical/Materials/Polymer/Chemical Engineering
• Minimum 2 years in an R&D lab, polymer processing, or plastics manufacturing
• Fresh graduates welcome; on-the-job training provided
• Knowledge of EPP/EPP/EPS preferred
• Hands-on with extrusion, injection molding, steam chest molding or foam processing is an advantage
• Good mechanical aptitude; familiar with drawings and precision measuring instruments
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; strong English communication

Responsibilities

• Support R&D activities in development of EPP and polymer foams.
• Prepare polymer formulations and perform resin blending, compounding, and pellet preparation.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment (twin-screw extruder, autoclave, steam chest molding, testing devices).
• Conduct expansion, molding and product evaluation trials.
• Perform lab testing (density, fusion, compression, tensile, impact, thermal analysis).
• Record data, prepare technical reports, and maintain documentation.
• Assist engineers in troubleshooting processing/equipment issues.
• Carry out routine maintenance and calibration of equipment.
• Ensure safety, quality standards and 5S practices.
• Collaborate with R&D/engineering teams for new product development.

Skills

2+ years in R&D lab/ polymer

Mechanical aptitude

Data recording & reporting

English communication

Education

Diploma/Higher NITEC or Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Materials/Polymer/Chemical Engineering

Tools

Twin-screw extrusion

Autoclave expansion system

Steam chest molding

Foam processing equipment

Metrology & testing equipment

Job description

About Us

VITA MATERA PTE LTD is an innovative materials technology company specializing in the research and development of Expandable Polypropylene (EPP) and advanced polymer materials. We are seeking a passionate and hands‑on R&D Lab Technician to join our growing team and support the development of next-generation lightweight foam materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Support R&D activities in the development of Expandable Polypropylene (EPP) and other polymer foam materials.
• Prepare polymer formulations and perform resin blending, compounding, and pellet preparation.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, including:
  • Twin-screw extruder
  • Autoclave expansion system
  • Steam chest molding machine
  • Material testing equipment
• Conduct expansion, molding, and product evaluation trials.
• Perform laboratory testing, including:
  • Density measurement
  • Fusion/bonding evaluation
  • Compression testing
  • Tensile testing
  • Impact testing
  • Thermal analysis
• Record experimental data, prepare technical reports, and maintain laboratory documentation.
• Assist engineers in troubleshooting processing and equipment issues.
• Carry out routine maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures, quality standards, and 5S practices.
• Work closely with the R&D and engineering teams to support new product development and process improvement.

Requirements

• Diploma, Higher NITEC, or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in an R&D laboratory, polymer processing, plastics manufacturing, or a related field.
• Fresh graduates are welcome to apply. Comprehensive on-the-job training will be provided.
• Knowledge of EPP, EPE, EPS, or other polymer foam materials is highly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with extrusion, injection molding, steam chest molding, or foam processing equipment is an advantage.
• Good mechanical aptitude with experience in machine setup, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Familiar with engineering drawings and precision measuring instruments.
• Knowledge of laboratory testing methods and data analysis.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Self‑motivated, organized, and able to work independently as well as in a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates with experience in any of the following will have an advantage:
• Polymer compounding and formulation
• Expandable polypropylene (EPP) development
• Twin-screw extrusion
• Autoclave processing
• Steam chest molding
• Mechanical testing of polymer materials
• DOE (Design of Experiments)
• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• ISO 9001 quality systems

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and performance bonus.
• Opportunities to work on innovative polymer material development projects.
• Career growth in advanced materials and manufacturing technologies.
• Training and professional development.
• A collaborative and innovative working environment.

If you are passionate about polymer materials, enjoy hands‑on laboratory work, and want to contribute to the development of advanced EPP technologies, we invite you to join our R&D team.