Polymer Engineer

Saige Partners; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job description

Washington, IA | Atlanta, GA | Full Time | Relocation Assistance Provided

Make better materials-and better manufacturing

We're looking for a hands-on Polymer Manufacturing Engineer to improve how we compound polyethylene materials, with a focus on twin-screw extrusion and LLDPE. You'll help solve production challenges, bring new formulations from the lab to full-scale manufacturing, and improve product quality, throughput, and cost.

If you have 5-10 years of polymer processing experience and enjoy working directly with production teams to turn process data into practical improvements, this role offers the chance to make a visible impact. Experience recycling or reprocessing LLDPE film is a strong plus.

What you'll do

• Lead and improve twin-screw compounding operations for polyethylene, including LLDPE, LDPE, and HDPE.
• Troubleshoot issues involving melt flow, dispersion, thermal stability, gels, contamination, and mechanical properties.
• Support the scale-up of new formulations from lab trials to full production.
• Improve yield, reduce scrap, and increase throughput and energy efficiency.
• Set and monitor key process conditions, including temperature profiles, screw configuration, feed rates, torque, and pressure.
• Support trials with recycled materials, especially reprocessed LLDPE film, and evaluate blending strategies and product performance.
• Partner with R&D, Quality, and Production to deliver consistent material performance.
• Maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures, and production records.
• Work in accordance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

What you'll bring

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of hands-on polymer processing experience, including twin-screw extrusion or compounding.
• Strong working knowledge of polyethylene formulations, including LLDPE, LDPE, and HDPE.
• Experience troubleshooting extrusion and compounding processes in a manufacturing setting.
• Knowledge of additives such as antioxidants, slip agents, fillers, compatibilizers, and colorants.
• Familiarity with polymer rheology, melt flow index (MFI), DSC, and mechanical property testing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to guide decisions.
• Ability to collaborate across technical and production teams.

Especially helpful

• Experience recycling or reprocessing LLDPE film.
• Knowledge of screw design and configuration optimization.
• Experience with resin blending and contamination control in recycled material streams.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience.
• Familiarity with process simulation or statistical process control (SPC).

Interested?

Bring your polymer processing expertise to a role where your work supports production today and helps develop the materials and processes of tomorrow.