Manufacturing Process Engineer – Polymer Science

Role details

Work Schedule Standard (Mon-Fri) Environmental Conditions Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.) Job Description Manufacturing Process Engineer – Polymer Science Location: Charlotte, NC Make an Impact Through Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Every day, our colleagues bring our Mission to life by enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

We provide our teams with the resources and opportunities to grow professionally, develop innovative solutions, and help tackle some of the world's toughest challenges — from protecting the environment and ensuring food safety to advancing scientific discoveries that help find cures for cancer. We're looking for a Manufacturing Process Engineer specializing in Polymer Science to join our team in Charlotte, North Carolina. If you enjoy solving complex manufacturing challenges, and thrive in a hands-on, collaborative environment, this is an opportunity to apply your expertise while making a meaningful impact.

In this role, you'll play an important part in designing, optimizing, and scaling polymer manufacturing processes that drive operational efficiency, product quality, and cost-effectiveness. You'll work closely with Research & Development, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to bring innovative polymer products from development into full-scale production.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Process Innovation and Optimization Design, develop, and optimize polymer manufacturing processes, including extrusion, drawing, compounding, and polymerization. Evaluate existing processes to identify opportunities to improve production efficiency, increase yield, enhance product quality, and maximize throughput. Lead the scale-up of new products and pilot processes into full commercial manufacturing. Apply engineering principles and technical expertise to develop reliable, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing solutions.

Provide Hands-On Manufacturing Support Serve as a technical resource for production teams, troubleshooting manufacturing challenges, process variations, and product defects. Support product development, process improvements, and manufacturing scalability. Monitor and optimize Critical to Quality (CTQ) process parameters to ensure consistent product performance and manufacturing reliability. Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), process documentation, and manufacturing best practices. Collaborate with manufacturing teams to resolve production issues and support operational performance.

Champion Continuous Improvement Lead process improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies. Identify and implement opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs, minimize waste, and improve operational efficiency while maintaining product specifications. Leverage process data, statistical analysis, and analytical tools to identify trends, solve problems, and support data-driven decisions. Collaborate across teams to implement sustainable improvements in manufacturing performance.

Support Quality, Safety, and Compliance Ensure manufacturing processes align with applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements, including ISO, ASTM, and FDA standards, where applicable. Partner with Quality Assurance teams to investigate manufacturing issues, conduct root cause analyses, and implement corrective actions. Maintain compliance with applicable safety and environmental requirements, including OSHA and EPA guidelines. Promote a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence throughout manufacturing operations.

Collaborate Across Teams to Deliver Results Partner with Research & Development teams to support new product introduction (NPI), process development, and technology transfer. Work closely with Maintenance and Engineering teams on equipment improvements, upgrades, and reliability initiatives. Collaborate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to support successful product commercialization and ongoing production. Interface with suppliers and customers on technical matters as needed to support manufacturing and product performance.

Qualifications Education Minimum Education Required: Bachelor’s degree (Preferred Fields of study: Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or related field). Experience 5 years of hands on manufacturing experience required. Hands-on experience with equipment such as extruders, reactors, mixers, and drawing required. Prior experience in polymer processing or chemical manufacturing highly preferred. Preferred Skills Strong understanding of polymer chemistry and processing techniques. Knowledge of rheology, thermodynamics, and material characterization methods (DSC, TGA, GPC, etc.).

Familiarity with process simulation tools and statistical software (e.g., Minitab, JMP). Experience with ERP and MES systems is a plus (especially relevant in manufacturing environments). Skills That Will Help You Succeed Analytical Problem-Solving: Ability to evaluate complex technical challenges, identify root causes, and develop practical, effective solutions. Collaboration and Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams. Project Management: Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate technical initiatives, and drive projects toward successful completion.

Continuous Improvement Mindset: A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement and supporting manufacturing excellence. Work Environment Combination of office, laboratory, and manufacturing plant settings May require exposure to chemicals, high temperatures, and industrial equipment (PPE required). Occasional travel to suppliers, customers, or other manufacturing sites. Why Join Thermo Fisher Scientific? Make a Meaningful Impact: Your work will contribute to manufacturing processes and products that support our Mission to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.