Technical Service Engineer / Applications Engineer

Huntsman; Ringwood (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Technical Service Engineer to support the growth of their Elastomers business. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions and technical support to customers, enhancing product applications, and troubleshooting existing issues. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering, particularly in thermoplastic elastomers, and will be responsible for managing laboratory projects and conducting customer trials. Join a dynamic team where your expertise will contribute to the success of cutting-edge products and technologies in the market.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in product/application development in Thermoplastics.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical service support to customers and conduct field trials.
• Develop new products and resolve technical challenges through lab investigations.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Problem-solving Skills

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Material Characteristics Knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Plastic Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Polymers

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Material Science

Tools

Extrusion

Injection Molding

Job description

Job Description:

Technical Service Engineer / Applications Engineer

Huntsman is seeking a Technical Service Engineer / Applications Engineer supporting the Polyurethanes Division located in Derry, NH or Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Job Scope

The primary focus of this role is to support the Americas Elastomers business to achieve their short and medium term growth and profitability goals. The Technical Service Engineer works closely with a cross-functional team to deliver technical solutions to customers in existing and new applications, help develop new products as well as troubleshooting issues that customers may have with existing products, through laboratory experimentation, product/application development, field trials, customer technical service support, and other activities.

• This is an intermediate position on the Huntsman Polyurethanes Technical Ladder. The main duties include: planning and implementing laboratory projects, providing technical service support to customers and conducting field trials of new and/or modified products.
• In terms of laboratory programs, incumbents have ability to work independently, with less direction from the Technical Service Manager. Incumbents are expected to execute and manage projects as a result of their laboratory, technical service, and field trial work. At this level, work programs are generally of a more routine and short range nature, although some more complex and non-routine projects may be encountered and assigned.
• Incumbents perform independent technical service in support of customers. Ability to assume leadership roles in less complex, routine trials. More complex, or non-routine trials may be assigned as well.
• The main internal contacts for this role are – Technical Service, Sales, Marketing, Technology & Innovation, Testing Services, Industrial Hygiene, Site Services.
• Customer contacts for this role are primarily at the plant technical level, and generally include technical, production, and quality assurance personnel. Some contact with more senior personnel, such as technical and commercial directors may also occur.

In summary, as the Technical Service Engineer / Applications Engineer, you will:

• Provide Technical Service Support to customers building strong relationships with key customer contacts, prompt resolution of problems related to the use of our technology and products, and demonstrate the differentiation of Huntsman Elastomers.
• Participate in Customer Trials effectively demonstrating our technology/products which result in the successful sales by the commercial team to increase the value of our business.
• Prepare efficient and effective project plans in order to establish a sound basis for developing new products or modifications to existing products/applications and/or to provide technical service to customers.
• Provide support to Elastomers Development Teams when newly developed products or technologies need to be validated by customers by organizing and supervising customer trials, either directly or using the resources available in the TS team.
• Conduct laboratory investigations in order to develop new products, application technologies and/or to provide technical service support which demonstrates the ability to effectively resolve a variety of moderately complex technical service or product development/modification challenges. All work must include well written concise reports which are completed on time and exhibit rigorous data analysis skills.
• Ensure state-of-the art know-how is available in terms of technical info on Huntsman and on competitive products and it is provided upon request to the commercial team to support action in the market. Continuously improve know-how available to the team in terms of manufacturing technology used by customers, participating to selected conferences, fairs, exhibitions and open days organized by equipment suppliers.
• Fully comply with all safety, health and environment guidelines, according to site and company standards. Ensure and enforce strict adherence to EHS company guidelines in all areas, including pilot plant, laboratory and other tech facilities, customer facilities during trials and external test laboratories during external tests.

Qualifications

You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates.

The candidate must have an unrestricted right to work for Huntsman in the United States.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Plastic Engineering, Polymers, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Material Science.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional technical experience in product and application development, and/or technical service in Thermoplastics Elastomers Industry, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethanes) or plastics hands on processing experience (extrusion-preferred but can be injection molding).
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the working time, mainly in North America, is mandatory. Occasional travel to Europe or APAC is possible.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Applied knowledge on how material characteristics like make up, Molecular Weight, rheology and thermal properties affect processing and final product.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extrusion and/or injection molding experience.
• Manager experience.

Working Environment

• Capable of lifting and carrying 45 pounds (20kg) over a short distance.

Huntsman is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all qualified applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identification, sexual orientation and/or expression or any other characteristic protected by law in every location in which we have facilities national or local.