Engineer- Principal Rubber Materials

Role details

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

Equal Opportunity

Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.