Thermoplastic Weathering & Durability Engineer

TANGENT Technologies, LLC.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Tangent Materials is seeking a Polymer Testing Engineer to support the characterization, weathering evaluation, and durability assessment of thermoplastic composite materials and products.

This role focuses on accelerated and natural weathering programs, thermal cycling, UV exposure, rheological and thermal characterization, degradation and failure analysis, and the development of test methods that correlate laboratory exposure with real-world outdoor service performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with capability to investigate material performance issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, coordinate and conduct accelerated weathering programs (xenon arc, Q-Sun, thermal cycling).
• Evaluate appearance and property retention after exposure (color, gloss, chalking, surface cracking).
• Plan thermal cycling, freeze-thaw, heat aging and moisture exposure tests; assess dimensional stability and interfacial integrity.
• Perform DSC, TGA and related thermal analysis techniques for materials characterization.
• Conduct rheological characterization (melt flow index, oscillatory rheometry) to evaluate quality and processability.
• Conduct microscopy and spectroscopy to assess morphology, degradation, and composition.
• Develop test methods and exposure protocols to correlate lab and outdoor performance.
• Apply ASTM, ISO and industry standards relevant to thermoplastic composites.

Skills

Thermoplastic polymers

Analytical problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelors in Materials/Polymer/ Chemical/ Mechanical Eng

Job description

Tangent Materials is seeking a Polymer Testing Engineer to support the characterization, weathering evaluation, and durability assessment of thermoplastic composite materials and products.

This role focuses on accelerated and natural weathering programs, thermal cycling, UV exposure, rheological and thermal characterization, degradation and failure analysis, and the development of test methods that correlate laboratory exposure with real-world outdoor service performance.