Lead Application Engineer, Flexible Packaging

Henkel Mexicana; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Work-Life Balance

401k matching

Job summary

Henkel is seeking a Lead Application Engineer in Adhesive Technologies to drive coatings-focused demonstrations and trials with customers across multiple sites in the United States. You will liaison between customers and internal teams to translate coating needs into actionable product and process requirements.

You will provide timely technical support, plan laboratory and pilot-scale requests, and prepare comprehensive trial reports.

Qualifications

• Coatings-focused expertise required with strong technical background.
• Experience translating customer needs into actionable coating recommendations.
• Hands-on coatings application methods and equipment knowledge is valued.
• Ability to troubleshoot coating performance issues and substrate compatibility.
• Proven ability to manage multiple coating trials and communicate results clearly.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical partner, lead coating-focused demonstrations and trials at customer sites.
• Interface between customers and internal teams to translate needs into product and process requirements.
• Provide timely technical support including product recommendations and problem solving.
• Plan and execute laboratory and pilot-scale requests for coatings projects.
• Prepare reports summarizing trial results and communicate findings to stakeholders.
• Engage with industry networks to maintain market-specific coating expertise.
• Demonstrate safety leadership and uphold site safety requirements.
• Pursue ongoing technical learning and mentoring within communities.

Skills

Coatings knowledge

Technical customer support

Lab testing & evaluation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS in Chemical Engineering or related

Materials Science/Engineering background

Tools

Gravure coating equipment

Pilot coater

Job description

Lead Application Engineer, Flexible Packaging

Adhesive Technologies Engineering Various locations Full Time Regular

At Henkel, you'll be part of an organization that’s shaping the future through innovation, sustainability and collaboration. With our trusted brands like Persil®, 'all®, Loctite®, Snuggle®, and Schwarzkopf® and our cutting-edge technologies, you'll have countless opportunities to explore new paths and grow.
This position is with our Adhesive Technologies business unit – where we empower our people to transform industries and provide our customers with a competitive advantage through adhesives, sealants and functional coatings.
Dare to learn new skills, advance in your career and make an impact at Henkel.

What you´ll do

• Acts as a trusted technical partner for customers by leading coatings-focused product and technology demonstrations, coating trials, troubleshooting, and training at customer sites, using pre- and post-trial documentation and visit reports to help customers succeed.
• Serves as the technical liaison between customers and internal teams—including product development, manufacturing, supply chain, sales, and marketing—to translate application needs into actionable product, process, and customer support requirements.
• Provides timely technical support for assigned regional customers, including product recommendations, substrate evaluations, complaint investigations, line issue diagnosis, and application-based problem solving.
• Plans, executes, and communicates laboratory and pilot-scale requests to support customer and market projects, including coating weight, appearance, adhesion, performance, and processability assessments.
• Prepares reports that summarize trial results, technical findings, conclusions, and recommended next steps, and communicates this information effectively to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provides market-specific coatings expertise through customer engagement, competitive and industry awareness, and involvement in professional societies, technical networks, and industry associations.
• Leads by example in Safety, completing all necessary site and field safety requirements.
• Develops technical and professional skills through ongoing learning, mentoring, and participation in internal and external technical communities.

What makes you a good fit

• BS in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or similar degree/experience required; coatings-related technical background strongly preferred.
• Typically, 5-10+ years of technical service, application engineering, process engineering, product development, or industry experience, with direct experience in coatings, coated substrates, converting, or flexible packaging strongly preferred.
• Willing to travel up to ~60%, primarily in the USA and occasionally MX/CAN; with advance planning and support to enable sustainable work-life balance.
• Hands-on experience with coating application methods and equipment, such as gravure, slot die, roll coating, rod coating, Mayer rod, reverse roll, pilot coater, laminator/coater, drying/curing conditions, coating weight control, and defect troubleshooting is highly valued.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot coatings performance and application issues, including adhesion, wet-out, film formation, blocking, curl, appearance defects, coat weight variation, viscosity/rheology, drying, curing, and substrate compatibility.
• Experience translating customer process conditions, substrate structures, and end-use requirements into practical coatings recommendations and trial plans.
• Excellent people skills; able to work effectively with a range of individuals from manufacturing operators and laboratory technicians through senior management both at customers and within Henkel.
• Strong organization skills with the ability to manage multiple customer coating trials, technical requests, and follow-up actions while maintaining clear documentation and communication.

Some benefits of joining Henkel

• Health Insurance: affordable plans for medical, dental, vision and wellbeing starting on day 1
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off including sick, vacation, holiday and volunteer time, flexible & hybrid work policies (depending on role), and vacation buy / sell program
• Financial: 401k matching, employee share plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares, annual performance bonus, service awards and student loan reimbursement
• Family Support: 12-week gender neutral parental leave (up to 20 weeks for parents giving birth), fertility support, adoption & surrogacy reimbursement, discounted child and elderly care, and scholarships
• Career Growth: diverse national and international growth opportunities, access to thousands of skills development courses, and tuition reimbursement

JOB ID:26099972

Job Locations:United States, CT, Rocky Hill, CT | United States, IL, Elgin, IL | United States, MI, Madison Heights, MI | United States, NJ, Bridgewater, NJ | United States, OH, Mentor, OH