Engineer- Principal Rubber Materials

Job Description

Job description:

**1. Summary of the role**

**Technical Leadership \& Material Expertise**

* Act as the subject-matter expert on rubber materials, formulations, and processing interactions.
* Analyze how raw materials, mixing parameters, and downstream processes affect compound performance.
* Evaluate the consequences of formulation or process changes and provide clear guidance to stakeholders.
* Support quality, purchasing, and customer-facing teams with technical insight and problem-solving.

**Compound Development Ownership**

* Lead the full lifecycle of compound development---from initial concept and formulation through pilot trials and full-scale production.
* Maintain accountability for performance, manufacturability, cost, and customer satisfaction at every stage.
* Document development work, testing results, and decision rationales to ensure traceability and continuous improvement.

**R\&D Mixing Lab Leadership**

* Establish, equip, and operate an R\&D mixing laboratory to support innovation, testing, and rapid prototyping.
* Develop lab procedures, safety protocols, and testing workflows aligned with production requirements.
* Use the lab to accelerate development cycles, validate new materials, and troubleshoot production issues.

**Collaboration with Mixing Facility**

* Partner closely with the mixing facility and team to align capabilities, processes, and development needs.
* Ensure smooth scale-up from lab to production by coordinating trials, optimizing parameters, and validating performance.
* Provide technical training, guidance, and support to mixing personnel as needed.

**2. Tasks and Responsibilities**

**Core Responsibilities**

**Formulation \& Recipe Development**

* Develop new rubber formulations and compound recipes tailored to performance, processing, and cost requirements.
* Maintain and continuously refine existing formulations to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with evolving material availability and customer needs.

**Cost Optimization \& VAVE**

* Identify and execute material-based cost-reduction opportunities without compromising performance.
* Lead Value-Add/Value-Engineered (VAVE) initiatives by evaluating alternative raw materials, optimizing formulations, and improving process efficiency.

**Project Leadership**

* Drive technical and cross-functional projects from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment with timelines, deliverables, and business objectives.
* Coordinate with purchasing, quality, production, and customer teams to ensure smooth execution and clear communication.

**R\&D Lab Development**

* Build and develop an R\&D laboratory to support formulation work, testing, and rapid prototyping.
* Establish lab workflows, equipment needs, safety practices, and testing capabilities that mirror or support production processes.

**Team \& Meeting Leadership**

* Lead technical discussions, cross-functional meetings, and project reviews with clarity and authority.
* Facilitate collaboration across departments to ensure alignment on materials, processes, and development priorities.
* Work cross-functionally with Application Engineering and Sales to translate customer needs into innovative material solutions that enable growth.

**Continuous Improvement**

* Champion continuous improvement initiatives across formulation, mixing, testing, and production processes.
* Use data, testing results, and root-cause analysis to drive improvements in quality, performance, and efficiency.

**Technical Communication \& Presentations**

* Prepare and deliver clear, compelling presentations for internal teams, leadership, and customers.
* Translate complex technical information into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.

**Data Analysis \& Reporting**

* Analyze test results, production data, and material performance trends to guide decision-making.
* Compile concise, well-structured summaries and technical reports that document findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

**3. Education and Experience**

* Bachelor's/Masters Degree and min. 5 years experience.
* **Polymer Science / Polymer Engineering**
* **Chemical Engineering**
* **Materials Science \& Engineering**
* **Chemistry**
* **3--10+ years of rubber compounding or materials development experience**
* Hands-on exposure to mixing, testing, and processing
* Experience working with production teams, quality, purchasing, and customers
* Proven ability to lead projects and solve complex material problems

**4. Competences**

**Communication Excellence**

* Communicates clearly, confidently, and professionally in both written and verbal formats.
* Tailors communication to technical and non-technical audiences, ensuring alignment and understanding across teams.

**Integrity \& Confidentiality**

* Demonstrates trustworthiness when handling sensitive technical, commercial, or customer information.
* Maintains discretion and adheres to ethical standards in all interactions.

**Problem-Solving Capability**

* Approaches challenges with a structured, logical mindset.
* Identifies root causes quickly and develops practical, data-driven solutions.

**Analytical Thinking**

* Interprets complex data, test results, and material behavior to guide decisions.
* Uses critical thinking to evaluate options, anticipate consequences, and optimize outcomes.

**Independence \& Initiative**

* Works effectively with minimal supervision, taking ownership of tasks and decisions.
* Proactively identifies opportunities for improvement and drives them forward.

**Responsibility \& Accountability**

* Takes full responsibility for commitments, deliverables, and outcomes.
* Follows through consistently and maintains high standards of quality and reliability.
* Maintains a holistic view of materials, processes, cost drivers, and customer requirements.

**5. Key Interfaces and Stakeholders**

* Describe which interfaces and stakeholders the position will have in the job. (For example outside customers, R\&D internally, manager, peers).

**Operations**

* · Collaborates closely with production teams to ensure formulations run efficiently at scale.
* · Supports troubleshooting, process optimization, and alignment between lab development and factory capability.

**Sales**

* · Provides technical insight to support customer discussions, quotations, and new business opportunities.
* · Ensures sales teams understand material capabilities, limitations, and value propositions.

**Development / Engineering**

* · Works jointly on new product introductions, design changes, and performance requirements.
* · Develop innovative material solutions that drive sustainable growth.
* · Aligns material choices with engineering needs and long-term product strategies.

**Customers**

* · Serves as a technical contact for material performance, testing, and issue resolution.
* · Translates customer requirements into actionable formulation and process decisions.

**Operators**

* · Engages with mixing, extrusion, molding, and testing operators to understand real-world challenges.
* · Provides guidance, training, and feedback to ensure consistent execution of material specifications.

**Purchasing**

* · Partners on raw material selection, supplier qualification, and cost-reduction initiatives.
* · Ensures material choices balance performance, availability, and commercial targets.

**Suppliers**

* · Maintains strong relationships with raw material suppliers to stay informed on new technologies, pricing, and supply chain risks.
* · Evaluates supplier data, samples, and technical support for formulation development.

**Quality Control (QC)**

* · Works with QC to define testing requirements, interpret results, and maintain material consistency.
* · Supports investigations, audits, and corrective actions related to material performance.

**6. Geography to cover and travel requirements**

* Indicate if the responsibility is global/international/country/or local. Indicate if travelling or off site work days are required and give an estimation of days per year.
* 50% travel

**7. Behavioral Characteristics**

* Describe personality traits important for success in the position. (Examples: flexibility, integrity, creativity, goal orientation, cooperation, initiative taking).

**Flexibility**

* · Adapts quickly to changing priorities, customer needs, and production realities.
* · Maintains effectiveness in fast-paced environments where materials, timelines, or requirements may shift.

**Engagement \& Initiative**

* · Shows genuine commitment to projects, teams, and organizational goals.
* · Demonstrates high energy, curiosity, and a proactive approach to solving challenges and driving progress.

**Team Orientation**

* · Collaborates effectively across departments, fostering trust and shared ownership.
* · Supports colleagues, encourages open communication, and contributes to a positive team culture.

**Emotional Intelligence**

* · Understands and manages personal emotions while responding constructively to others.
* · Navigates conflict, feedback, and high-pressure situations with composure and empathy.
* · Builds strong relationships through active listening, respect, and awareness of diverse perspectives.

**8. Key Performance Indicators**

**Compound Development \& Innovation**

* · Develop a targeted number of new or improved rubber compounds per year, aligned with customer needs and internal growth objectives.
* · Ensure new formulations meet performance, processing, and cost requirements while transitioning smoothly from lab to production.
* · Maintain and continuously improve existing formulations to enhance quality, consistency, and manufacturability.

**Cost Optimization \& Value Engineering**

* · Achieve annual price improvements on existing compounds through material substitutions, formulation optimization, and VAVE initiatives.
* · Deliver quantifiable cost savings without compromising performance or customer satisfaction.
* · Support Purchasing with technical insights that strengthen supplier negotiations and material strategy.

**Process Efficiency \& Mixing Performance**

* · Reduce mixing cycle times through formulation refinement, improved dispersion, and process optimization.
* · Increase throughput and reduce variability by aligning material behavior with equipment capabilities.
* · Partner with Operations to validate improvements and ensure repeatability at production scale.

**Technical Problem-Solving \& Analytical Rigor**

* · Diagnose material, process, and performance issues using structured problem-solving and data-driven analysis.
* · Provide timely, accurate technical guidance to internal teams and customers.
* · Compile clear summaries, reports, and recommendations based on testing and evaluation.

**Cross-Functional Collaboration \& Stakeholder Engagement**

· Maintain strong working relationships with Operations, Sales, Development, QC, Purchasing, Suppliers, and Customers.

· Lead meetings, technical reviews, and project discussions with clarity and confidence.

· Ensure alignment across departments on formulation changes, development timelines, and performance expectations

**Leadership, Initiative \& Continuous Improvement**

· Demonstrate ownership of projects, timelines, and outcomes with minimal supervision.

· Drive continuous improvement initiatives in materials, processes, and testing methodologies.

· Contribute to a collaborative, team-oriented environment through engagement, flexibility, and emotional intelligence.

**Communication \& Professional Conduct**

· Deliver clear, concise written and verbal communication tailored to diverse audiences.

· Handle confidential information with integrity and professionalism.

· Present technical findings, project updates, and recommendations in a structured, compelling manner.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Benefits:

* 401(k)
* 401(k) matching
* Dental insurance
* Life insurance
* Paid time off
* Tuition reimbursement
* Vision insurance

Work Location: In person