On-Site Plant Chemist — Rubber Compounds

Press-Seal-Corporatio; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Press-Seal-Corporatio in Fort Wayne, IN seeks a Plant Chemist for a full-time on-site position. The role focuses on rubber compound design and material development to support gasket products.

The candidate will lead R&D efforts, manage lab equipment, and collaborate with QA, engineering, and production teams to meet internal and external requirements. Strong rubber processing experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Polymer Science.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in rubber processing (mixing, calendaring, extrusion).
• Experience with rubber compounds development for EPDM, isoprene, neoprene, nitrile.
• Analytical DOE methods for rubber compound development.
• Experience with Mooney viscometer, rheometer, tensiometers, lab mixer, lab mill, cure press, densometer.
• Familiarity with database systems (DAISY, SCADA, PLM).
• LEAN Manufacturing and Six Sigma knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop rubber compounds for engineered rubber gasket products.
• Provide technical solutions through material development.
• Support process and product teams in mixing, calendaring, extrusion, and curing.
• Develop compound formulas and interface with QA, engineering, and production.
• Lead R&D efforts for new and improved rubber compounds.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost-reduction projects.
• Interface with supply chain to evaluate materials.
• Collaborate with Rubber Mixing team on material evaluation.
• Work with product engineering on extrusion and calendaring trials.
• Support QA in analyzing product returns for rubber compatibility issues.
• Manage raw material specification database.
• Manage and operate analytical lab equipment.

Skills

Rubber formulation experience

Project management

Organizational skills

LEAN Manufacturing knowledge

Six Sigma knowledge

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Polymer Science

Minimum 5 years rubber processing experience

Non-degreed with experience in compound rubber

Tools

Mooney Viscometer

Rheometer

Tensiometers

Lab Mixer

Lab Mill

Cure Press

Densometer

DAISY

SCADA

PLM

Job description

Press-Seal-Corporatio in Fort Wayne, IN seeks a Plant Chemist for a full-time on-site position. The role focuses on rubber compound design and material development to support gasket products.

The candidate will lead R&D efforts, manage lab equipment, and collaborate with QA, engineering, and production teams to meet internal and external requirements. Strong rubber processing experience is essential.