Rubber Materials Engineer - Formulation & Molding

iLocatum; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Adoption assistance

EAP

Job summary

iLocatum in Bethlehem, PA is hiring a Materials Engineer, Product Development to drive full lifecycle development from concept to production. You will develop polymer formulations, assess material performance, and coordinate prototyping, testing, and pilot runs, collaborating across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales and Marketing.

The role requires a chemistry/materials background, 3+ years in plastics, and travel up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
• 3+ years of experience with plastics, polymers, materials, product design, or plastics processing.
• Working knowledge of thermoplastic and thermoset materials, materials testing, and failure analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new products, materials, and components from concept to commercialization.
• Develop polymer formulations and coordinate prototyping, testing, validation, and pilot runs.
• Perform thermal, mechanical, and chemical testing and interpret results.
• Troubleshoot design, material, tolerance, and manufacturing issues as they arise.
• Participate in supplier selection, tooling and cost evaluations.
• Lead or contribute to cross‑functional design reviews and prepare technical docs.

Skills

Polymer formulations

Materials testing

Failure analysis

Analytical problem solving

Written and verbal communication

Presentation skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Abaqus

ANSYS

Moldflow Insight

Job description

Bethlehem, PA This organization develops and commercializes products built from advanced materials, including thermoplastics, thermosets, composites, coatings, and metallic alloys. The Materials Engineer, Product Development role supports projects from initial concept through full production, working across polymer processing, plastic part design, materials development, testing, and failure analysis.

Schedule

Full time, on site in Bethlehem, PA.

Compensation

$120,000 to $150,000 per year, plus relocation assistance for qualified candidates.

What You'll Do

This role covers the full product development lifecycle, from developing and evaluating new products, materials, and components, through supporting design from concept to commercialization. The Materials Engineer will develop polymer formulations, evaluate material performance, and coordinate prototyping, testing, validation, and pilot production runs. Day to day work includes conducting and interpreting thermal, mechanical, and chemical testing (FTIR, DMA, DSC, TGA, and tensile testing), as well as troubleshooting design, material, tolerance, and manufacturing issues as they arise. The role also participates in supplier selection, tooling, and cost evaluations, leads or contributes to cross-functional design reviews, and prepares technical documentation and product training materials. Close collaboration with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Sales, and Marketing teams, as well as outside suppliers, is expected throughout.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering
• 3 or more years of experience with plastics, polymers, materials, product design, or plastics processing
• Working knowledge of thermoplastic and thermoset materials, materials testing, and failure analysis
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 25%

Preferred Qualifications

• FEA experience with Abaqus or ANSYS
• Experience with Moldflow Insight

Compensation And Benefits

• $120,000 to $150,000 per year
• Medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Company paid disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates