Development Engineer I

TekniPlex; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TekniPlex in Schaumburg, IL is seeking a Product Development Engineer - Rubber to advance new rubber products from concept to commercialization. You will lead design, costing, development, trials, scale-up, and documentation, ensuring alignment with Quality, Product Safety, and Regulatory standards.

You will collaborate with suppliers and plant teams, perform pilot-scale testing, interpret results, and transfer technology to production.

Qualifications

• BS degree in technical scientific field or Engineering with minimum 2 years of progressive experience, or Associate degree with minimum 2 years, or non-degreed with minimum 4 years of progressive experience.
• Minimum 2–4 years of progressive experience in rubber technology.
• Strong material knowledge in polymer, rubber and elastomer technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of new product development: design, costing, development, trial supervision, scale-up, documentation, and tech transfer to production.
• Ensure commercialization complies with Quality, Product Safety and Regulatory standards.
• Prepare written technical reports and recommendations for external customers and internal teams.
• Maintain industry contacts and awareness of rubber formulation technologies and processes.

Skills

rubber technology

analytical thinking

communication skills

project management

pilot-scale testing

problem solving

ERP systems

MS Office

word processing

spreadsheets

PowerPoint

Education

BS degree in technical field/Engineering

Associate degree in technical field

Non-degreed with 4+ years experience

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Imagine: A Career with Purpose and Possibility Picture this: You are part of a global team of problem-solvers whose innovations in materials science can make life better. Every day, you help turn ideas into impact using science, technology, and creativity to tackle real-world challenges. You’re part of a company whose work helps improve patient outcomes in healthcare and protects essential consumer goods that people around the world rely on every day.

At TekniPlex, you’ll join more than 8,000 colleagues across 12 countries, all united by one purpose: creating safer, smarter solutions that touch daily life. Through our two divisions, TekniPlex Healthcare and TekniPlex Consumer Products, you’ll help shape industries that matter: healthcare, pharmaceutical, food & beverage, beauty, and personal care.

Here, your ideas count and your work matters. You’ll be encouraged to think boldly, collaborate across cultures, and keep growing every step of the way. You will help protect the integrity of essential products, support patient safety and comfort, and contribute to innovations that make everyday life better, all while building a career that makes an impact.

Because at TekniPlex, you don’t just deliver products – you help shape what’s next.

What is the role? Product Development Engineer-Rubber

• In this position you will be responsible for supporting business growth through the development and commercialization of new rubber products in accordance with meeting or exceeding the company's overall financial targets, goals and strategies.
• Responsible for leading all aspects of new product development: design, costing, development, trial run supervision, scale-up, documentation, communication, and technology transfer to the plant floor for effective commercialization.
• Ensures products are commercialized in accordance with Quality, Product Safety and Regulatory standards.
• Prepares written technical reports and recommendations summarizing findings for external customers and internal client groups.
• Maintains industry contact (raw material and equipment suppliers) and awareness of rubber formulation technologies, key internal processes, and customer processes.
• The Product Development Engineer reports to the Global Rubber Leader.

What skills and knowledge do you bring to the role?

• BS degree in technical scientific field or Engineering with minimum 2 years of progressive experience, or Associate degree in technical field with minimum 2 years of progressive experience, or Non-degreed with minimum 4 years of progressive experience
• Minimum 2-4 years of progressive experience in rubber technology
• Strong material knowledge, in particular, polymer, rubber and elastomer technologies
• Experience with analytical tests and interpretation of results for raw and cured rubber compounds
• Capable of performing routine physical tests and interpreting results for raw and cured rubber compounds
• Hands-on with pilot-scale rubber processing equipment (e.g., mixers, calenders, and related machinery
• Highly self-directed, with proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks autonomously under time constraints.
• Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Capable of communicating with customers and operations personnel under stressful or adverse conditions
• Proven ability to work with minimal direction, analytical thinking, and problem solving ability
• Proficient computer literacy with established basic knowledge in general applications; word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and ERP systems

Preferred skills you bring to the role?

• History of creative or innovative material development
• Proven track record in new product development, as well as product and/or process optimization
• Skilled at managing multiple tasks within time constraints with demonstrated project management ability
• MS degree in Engineering or a technical/scientific field is preferred; relevant industry experience is a plus

Compensation Range The salary range for this position is $80,000-$90,000 plus bonus potential