R&D Technical Lead — Advanced Polymers & Process Innovation

SWM International; Town of Middletown (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Mativ is seeking an R&D Technical Lead in Middletown, DE to drive development for Naltex (netting) and Delnet (apertured film) product lines, leading projects from planning to execution and coordinating with Engineering and Operations. You will handle IQ/OQ/PQ, standard work, and production-process optimization, ensuring alignment with ISO 9001 standards.

The role requires BS in Engineering with 5–10 years of manufacturing/R&D, strong project management, and hands-on polymer processing

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering (chemical, polymer/plastic, or mechanical) with 5–10 years in manufacturing or R&D.
• Ability to travel up to 30% domestically and infrequently internationally.
• Project management experience in a manufacturing/R&D setting.
• Experience in a 24/7 manufacturing process environment.
• Experience with polymer extrusion, web handling, slitting, winding of rolled media preferred.
• Familiarity with statistical tools such as Minitab.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary technical contact for Naltex and Delnet products; maintain and develop the segment.
• Collaborate with customers, marketing, and sales to develop and modify products and transition to Engineering/Operations.
• Direct R&D and Process Team members to complete projects.
• Conduct IQ, OQ, and PQ for process machinery and equipment.
• Develop and implement systems that optimize all production phases.
• Produce standard work instructions and process flow diagrams per ISO 9001.
• Collaborate with production and engineering to ensure project success.
• Provide process troubleshooting and implementation support.
• Present to stakeholders on process development and problem solving.
• Recommend improvements such as light-weighting and packaging designs.
• Partner with customers and sales to improve existing products and commercialize new ones.
• Perform trials to qualify new production processes.
• Research, design, and evaluate materials, assemblies, processes, and equipment.
• Work on several design fronts in parallel and monitor project metrics.
• Document all phases of R&D and support other R&D teams.
• Define SOC and materials for new products and identify alternate material sources.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Travel up to 30% domestically

Manufacturing experience

Polymer extrusion/processing

Minitab (statistical software)

Education

BS in Engineering (chemical, polymer/plastic, or mechanical)

Tools

Minitab

Job description

Mativ is seeking an R&D Technical Lead in Middletown, DE to drive development for Naltex (netting) and Delnet (apertured film) product lines, leading projects from planning to execution and coordinating with Engineering and Operations. You will handle IQ/OQ/PQ, standard work, and production-process optimization, ensuring alignment with ISO 9001 standards.

The role requires BS in Engineering with 5–10 years of manufacturing/R&D, strong project management, and hands-on polymer processing