R & D Lab Engineer / Technician

VITA MATERA PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

VITA MATERA PTE. LTD. in Singapore is seeking a hands-on R&D Lab Technician to support the development of expandable polypropylene (EPP) and other polymer foams. You will work with the R&D and engineering teams, operate lab equipment, and document experimental results.

Fresh graduates are welcome; comprehensive on-the-job training will be provided. The role favors hands-on experience with extrusion, molding, and polymer testing, and requires good English communication.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in mechanical/material/chemical engineering or related field.
• Minimum 2 years in an R&D lab, polymer processing, plastics manufacturing, or related field.
• Fresh graduates welcome; on-the-job training provided.
• Knowledge of EPP or polymer foam materials preferred.
• Hands-on with extrusion, molding, or foam processing equipment advantageous.
• Good mechanical aptitude with setup, troubleshooting and maintenance skills.
• Familiar with engineering drawings and precision instruments.
• Knowledge of lab testing methods and data analysis.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and English communication.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

English communication

Independent worker

Microsoft Office

Documentation

Troubleshooting

Education

Diploma/Higher NITEC/Bachelor in Mechanical/Materials/Polymer/Chemical Engineering or related

Tools

Twin-screw extruder

Autoclave

Steam chest molding

Density testing equipment

Compression/Tensile/Impact testing

Thermal analysis equipment

Job description

Job Title: R&D Lab Technician –EPP Materials Development

Location: Singapore

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.