R&D Engineer Co-op — Pilot Plant & Lab Trials

TekniPlex; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Housing stipend

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Mentorship opportunities

Near Wake Forest University

Job summary

TekniPlex in Winston-Salem, NC is seeking a Research and Development (R&D) Engineer/Lab Tech Co-op to support pilot plant operations and product development. You will assist machine operators, plan and execute trials, and develop solutions to improve processes and product performance.

The role emphasizes hands-on laboratory work, analysis planning, and documentation of results, with opportunities to collaborate across operations, quality, and engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Rising Junior or Senior in Chemical Engineering (preferred).
• Hands-on laboratory aptitude and safety awareness required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced lab environment.
• Self-motivated with a willingness to learn and contribute.

Responsibilities

• Provide developmental support in Pilot Plant by assisting machine operator and planning trials.
• Execute trials following the development cycle from internal operations to finished product.
• Identify inventory, run rates, and extruder-laminator run parameters during trials.
• Prepare trial plans and complete trial summaries in Lotus Notes databases.
• Document test results accurately and in a timely manner and prepare customer reports.
• Interact with customers, operations, and quality personnel to resolve product issues.
• Maintain Pilot Plant, Development area, and Laboratory inventories of trial rolls.
• Adhere to all safety rules and procedures.

Skills

Laboratory aptitude

Mechanical curiosity

Communication skills

Prioritization

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Self-motivated

Education

Chemical Engineering (preferred)

Materials Science (preferred)

Packaging Engineering (preferred)

Polymer Science/Polymer Engineering (preferred)

Mechanical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

Lotus Notes

Job description

TekniPlex in Winston-Salem, NC is seeking a Research and Development (R&D) Engineer/Lab Tech Co-op to support pilot plant operations and product development. You will assist machine operators, plan and execute trials, and develop solutions to improve processes and product performance.

The role emphasizes hands-on laboratory work, analysis planning, and documentation of results, with opportunities to collaborate across operations, quality, and engineering teams.