Polyolefins Application Development Engineer

Colonial Group; Point Comfort (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group seeks a skilled polymer development engineer to identify industry trends and create new end-use polyolefin applications on various converting machines. You will collaborate with customers and internal teams to drive value, ensure compliance with EH&S standards, and resolve technical issues with data-driven analysis.

The role involves supporting product delivery, optimizing formulations, and working with Marketing/Sales to identify new markets.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three (3) years of plastic processing, product/application development, and/or customer interface, preferably in polyolefins.
• Strong background in polymer chemistry/physics, structure-property relationships, polymer processing, additive formulations, analytical problem solving, and troubleshooting.
• Hands-on skills in plastic fabrication processing, such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, pipe/film/fiber/sheet extrusions.

Responsibilities

• Identify industry trends to develop new or improved end-use polyolefin applications on converting machines.
• Support customers and internal teams to maintain competitive position while meeting EH&S regulations.
• Provide expertise to improve relationships and strengthen internal/external customer collaboration for sales growth.
• Provide technical support to Operations to ensure GMP and smooth production.
• Promote housekeeping and No Visual Pollution initiatives in the plant.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Polymer physics

Polymer processing

Additive formulations

Analytical problem solving

Troubleshooting

Injection molding

Thermoforming

Blow molding

Pipe extrusion

Film extrusion

Fiber extrusion

Sheet extrusion

Data analysis

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Customer service

Self-motivation

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Chemical/Plastics/Polymer/Material Sciences or Mechanical

M.S./Ph.D. in Chemistry or related field with 5 years of experience considered

Tools

PC software proficiency

Job description

I. POSITION OBJECTIVE

This position exists to identify industry trends for developing new or improved, innovative value-added end-use applications for polyolefin resins on various types of converting machines and providing effective assistance to customers and internal business groups to facilitate polyolefin resins sales and maintain competitive position. All while sustaining a working environment that meets environmental, health, safety regulations, and company requirements.

II. MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Application and Technology Development: Develop and deliver new and improved products andapplications promptly to generate value creation; improve the competitiveness of our product portfolio and product quality to meet customers’ needs, and work closely with customers to be a solution provider.

Lead and Facilitate the Fulfillment of Product Delivery and Commitments: React withexpediency and accuracy to determine the root cause of customer problems and provide remoteassistance to resolve them. Recommend improvements to product specifications and their qualitymeasurement. Handle customer complaints utilizing customer analyses and retain samples andproduction histories; update progress regularly with sales and customers and make resolutionrecommendations. Service customer requests such as special analysis to retained samples,customer samples or finished products.

Product Application Support: Provide expertise targeted at improving and strengthening internaland external customer relationships to facilitate sales and business. Partner with Marketing andSales team to recommend and approve materials for new markets, customers, and applications. Research and provide input for intelligence on the competitive landscape.

Operations Support: Provide technical support to the Operating Units, which will enable the Unit to adhere to good manufacturing practices to achieve smooth consistency operation, manufacture high-quality products, and avoid unscheduled process interruptions. Act as liaison between customer needs and Operations and Product Development to ensure customer technical requirements are met.

THM: Promote cleanliness and order through the implementation of the Total House KeepingMaintenance program. Emphasize Nothing Touch Ground program and No Visual Pollution program. Maintain the plant in like new condition.

III. QUALIFICATIONS

A. TECHNICAL JOB CRITERIA

1. Previous Related Experience Required

A minimum of three (3) years of plastic processing, product/application development, and/or customer interface, preferably in polyolefins. A strong background in polymer chemistry/physics, structure- property relationships, polymer processing, additive formulations, analytical problem solving, and troubleshooting skills. Hands-on skills in plastic fabrication processing, such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, pipe/film/fiber/sheet extrusions is desirable.

2. Technical Skills Required to Perform This Job

• Personal computer skills and applicable software.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good business and technical writing capability.
• Demonstrate exceptional teamwork and customer service; behave professionally; treat others with respect and dignity.
• A strong background in polymer chemistry/physics, structure-property relationships, polymer processing, additive formulations, analytical problem solving, and troubleshooting skills.
• Hands-on skills in plastic fabrication processing, such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, pipe/film/fiber/sheet extrusions.
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret data from commercial plant operations.
• Self-driven work and work under objectives administration.
• Know how to prepare and give technical presentations for an audience of various technical backgrounds.

3. Education

Bachelor of Science degree from ABET- accredited universities in (specific engineering disciplines including, but not limited to Chemical, Plastics, Polymer/Material Sciences, Mechanical) required; B.S./M.S./Ph.D. Degree in Chemistry or a related field with 5 years of relevant experience may be considered.

4. Other Certification/Training Required

• Will require training in Company Policies and Procedures after hire.
• Current employees must meet all technical and safety training requirements for current position, as specified in the Master Training Plan.
• Other training as required by direct management.
• Attend professional conferences and seminars.
• Project administration capabilities and knowledge of Design of Experiments.
• Advanced training in fabrication processes such as injection molding, thermoforming, blowmolding, pipe/film/fiber extrusions, etc.
• Technical sales skills training