Lead Materials Process Engineer

Skill; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 46,000 - 51,000; Part time

Job summary

Skill, located in Beaverton, OR, seeks an experienced materials/manufacturing engineer to lead development, optimization, and commercialization of advanced polymer materials.

You will partner with manufacturing teams and suppliers to scale processes, analyze data, and establish controls and standards that boost product quality and sustainability. This role requires strong communication and self-motivation to drive cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline (Polymers, Materials, Chemical, Mechanical) preferred.
• 3+ years in materials development, polymer/process/manufacturing engineering.
• Experience with polymer materials and material characterization.
• Experience developing, testing, optimizing, or scaling materials and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical skills with data-driven problem solving.
• Experience with SPC, DOE, and process capability analysis.
• Ability to work in manufacturing environments with factory/supplier partners.
• Strong communication and cross-functional influence.
• Self-starter with independent project management.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, optimization, and validation of advanced material manufacturing processes from concept through commercialization.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams and suppliers to improve process capability, scalability, and readiness.
• Analyze material performance data, lab results, and metrics to identify improvements.
• Develop and implement process controls, operating windows, validation plans, and engineering standards.
• Apply SPC, DOE, and process capability analysis to reduce variation and improve quality.
• Lead root-cause investigations related to material performance and manufacturing challenges.
• Translate findings into Design for Manufacturing guidelines and scalable production requirements.
• Support factory trials, validation activities, and commercialization with global partners.
• Create technical docs including process specs, control plans, and best practices.
• Collaborate across Materials, Product Creation, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing.

Skills

3+ years experience

Polymer engineering

Materials science

Process engineering

Manufacturing engineering

Data-driven problem solving

SPC/DOE

Cross-functional collaboration

Project leadership

Strong communication

Self-starter

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Tools

JMP

Minitab

Job description

Placement Type: Temporary

Salary: $33.60-37.33 Hourly, up to $37.33/hr

Start Date: Aug 17, 2026

Join a pioneering company at the forefront of innovation, dedicated to shaping the future of consumer products through advanced materials and cutting‑edge manufacturing. Our mission is to transform groundbreaking ideas into tangible, high-performance solutions that delight consumers worldwide. We are a dynamic, collaborative environment where creativity meets engineering excellence, driving the evolution of our industry.

Are you a visionary engineer ready to revolutionize how new materials are brought to life? We are seeking a passionate individual to step into a pivotal role, driving the commercialization and manufacturing readiness of advanced material technologies. In this role, you won't just be optimizing processes; you'll be the crucial link, translating scientific breakthroughs into scalable production, ensuring that innovative concepts reach millions. Your expertise will directly impact the performance, quality, and sustainability of future products, making a tangible difference in the market.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development, optimization, and validation of advanced material manufacturing processes from concept through commercialization.
• Partner with manufacturing teams and suppliers to improve process capability, scalability, and production readiness.
• Analyze material performance data, laboratory testing results, and manufacturing metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement process controls, operating windows, validation plans, and engineering standards.
• Apply statistical methods including Statistical Process Control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DOE), and process capability analysis to reduce variation and improve quality.
• Lead root cause investigations related to material performance, process variation, and manufacturing challenges.
• Translate technical findings into Design for Manufacturing (DFM) guidelines and scalable production requirements.
• Support factory trials, process validation activities, and commercialization efforts with global manufacturing partners.
• Create technical documentation including process specifications, control plans, and manufacturing best practices.
• Collaborate across Materials, Product Creation, Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing teams to drive technical decisions.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in materials development, polymer engineering, process engineering, or manufacturing engineering.
• Experience working with polymer materials and material characterization.
• Experience developing, testing, optimizing, or scaling materials and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical skills with experience interpreting technical data and using data-driven approaches to solve problems.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies such as SPC, DOE, process capability analysis, or similar techniques.
• Ability to work effectively in manufacturing environments and collaborate with factory or supplier partners.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Self-starter who can independently manage projects, prioritize work, and drive results.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience with polyurethane (PU) materials, elastomers, foams, coatings, adhesives, or similar polymer systems.
• Laboratory testing experience related to material performance, reliability, or validation.
• Experience supporting product commercialization, manufacturing scale-up, or new product introduction (NPI).
• Experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles.
• Experience working with global manufacturing partners or suppliers.
• Familiarity with JMP, Minitab, or comparable statistical analysis software.
• Experience in apparel, footwear, sporting goods, consumer products, or other materials-driven industries.
• CNC, tooling, or manufacturing process certifications.

The Impact You’ll Make

• Materials and processes are validated, repeatable, and ready for commercial production.
• Manufacturing partners have clear technical requirements and process controls.
• Data-driven improvements reduce variation and increase product reliability.
• Cross-functional teams are aligned on technical decisions and commercialization milestones.
• Innovative materials successfully transition from development into scalable manufacturing.

Work Environment

You will thrive in a collaborative environment that fosters innovation. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of materials science, engineering, and manufacturing innovation, engaging with global teams to bring cutting‑edge products to market.

Aquent is an equal‑opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.