Materials Engineer - Product Development (Plastics)

iLocatum; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

EAP

Job summary

iLocatum in Bethlehem, PA, is seeking a Materials Engineer, Product Development, to advance projects from concept through full production. You will work across polymer processing, plastic part design, materials development, testing, and failure analysis to deliver robust products.

The role covers the full development lifecycle, requiring formulation work, material evaluation, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, and Marketing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
• 3+ years of experience with plastics, polymers, materials, product design, or plastics processing.
• Working knowledge of thermoplastic and thermoset materials, materials testing, and failure analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Cover the full product development lifecycle from concept to production.
• Develop polymer formulations and evaluate material performance.
• Coordinate prototyping, testing, validation, and pilot production runs.
• Conduct thermal, mechanical, and chemical testing (e.g., FTIR, DMA, DSC, TGA, tensile testing).
• Troubleshoot design, material, tolerance, and manufacturing issues as they arise.
• Participate in supplier selection, tooling, and cost evaluations.
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional design reviews and create technical documentation and training materials.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, and Marketing, and with outside suppliers.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Written and verbal communication

Microsoft Office

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical/Materials/Polymer/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Abaqus

ANSYS

Moldflow Insight

Job description

Bethlehem, PA This organization develops and commercializes products built from advanced materials, including thermoplastics, thermosets, composites, coatings, and metallic alloys. The Materials Engineer, Product Development role supports projects from initial concept through full production, working across polymer processing, plastic part design, materials development, testing, and failure analysis.

Materials Engineer, Product Development

This organization develops and commercializes products built from advanced materials, including thermoplastics, thermosets, composites, coatings, and metallic alloys. The Materials Engineer, Product Development role supports projects from initial concept through full production, working across polymer processing, plastic part design, materials development, testing, and failure analysis.

Schedule

Full time, on site in Bethlehem, PA.

Compensation

$120,000 to $150,000 per year, plus relocation assistance for qualified candidates.

What You'll Do

This role covers the full product development lifecycle, from developing and evaluating new products, materials, and components, through supporting design from concept to commercialization. The Materials Engineer will develop polymer formulations, evaluate material performance, and coordinate prototyping, testing, validation, and pilot production runs. Day to day work includes conducting and interpreting thermal, mechanical, and chemical testing (FTIR, DMA, DSC, TGA, and tensile testing), as well as troubleshooting design, material, tolerance, and manufacturing issues as they arise. The role also participates in supplier selection, tooling, and cost evaluations, leads or contributes to cross-functional design reviews, and prepares technical documentation and product training materials. Close collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, and Marketing teams, as well as outside suppliers, is expected throughout.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering
• 3 or more years of experience with plastics, polymers, materials, product design, or plastics processing
• Working knowledge of thermoplastic and thermoset materials, materials testing, and failure analysis
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications

• FEA experience with Abaqus or ANSYS
• Experience with Moldflow Insight

Compensation And Benefits

• $120,000 to $150,000 per year
• Medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Company paid disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates