Thermoplastic Materials Engineer - R&D & Process Improvement

Freudenberg Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.; Findlay (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg Group seeks a Materials Engineer to develop and optimize thermoplastic compounds, lead DOE-based trials, and collaborate with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and R&D to enhance product performance and reduce costs.

You will analyze material performance, maintain technical documentation, and support customers with material selection and troubleshooting, while advancing best practices in processing technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related engineering discipline is required.
• Three+ years of experience in materials engineering, polymer development, plastics processing or a related manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of thermoplastic materials, polymer behavior, and manufacturing processes such as compounding, extrusion, or injection molding.

Responsibilities

• Develop, formulate, qualify, and optimize thermoplastic compounds to meet customer, manufacturing, quality, and performance requirements.
• Lead investigations into material, processing, and product performance issues using structured root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
• Design and execute laboratory and production trials, including DOE, material characterization, and validation testing to support new product introductions and process improvements.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and R&D teams to improve manufacturability, product performance, and cost competitiveness.
• Evaluate, qualify, and implement new materials, formulations, and suppliers to support innovation, supply continuity, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Serve as a technical resource for internal stakeholders and customers by supporting material selection, application development, troubleshooting, and performance optimization for new and existing products.
• Analyze material performance data, maintain technical documentation and material databases, and help establish best practices in thermoplastic materials and processing technologies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Experimental skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Chemistry

Tools

FTIR

DSC

TGA

Rheology

ASTM

Job description

Freudenberg Group seeks a Materials Engineer to develop and optimize thermoplastic compounds, lead DOE-based trials, and collaborate with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and R&D to enhance product performance and reduce costs.

You will analyze material performance, maintain technical documentation, and support customers with material selection and troubleshooting, while advancing best practices in processing technologies.