Job DescriptionThe PD&C ADTS Engineer develops, optimizes, and supports polymer extrusion processes used to manufacture wire and cable or fiber products. The role focuses on insulation and jacketing extrusion operations using thermoplastic and thermoset materials, including XLPE, HFFR, TPE, and specialty compounds. Working closely with manufacturing, quality, maintenance, material suppliers, and customers, this position improves productivity, quality, material performance, and process reliability while supporting applicable industry standards.
The ideal candidate combines strong polymer processing knowledge with hands-on wire and cable manufacturing experience and can translate material science and process engineering principles into improved product quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
ResponsibilitiesProcess Engineering- Develop, optimize, and maintain extrusion processes for wire and cable insulation and jacketing applications.
- Establish process parameters, operating windows, and standard work instructions for extrusion equipment.
- Monitor and improve throughput, scrap reduction, yield, uptime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- Troubleshoot extrusion-related issues, including concentricity variation, surface imperfections, dimensional non-conformance, spark and dielectric failures, cure defects, material degradation, and color variation.
Cross-Functional and Customer Support- Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Maintenance, R&D, Product Development, Sales, and Supply Chain teams.
- Interface directly with customers to support product qualifications, troubleshooting, and technical reviews.
- Participate in plant trials and customer visits as required.
- Travel to suppliers, customers, and manufacturing facilities as needed.
- Deliver results against key measures including extrusion line efficiency, product quality, customer complaint reduction, on-time completion of trials and projects, cost savings from process improvements, and safety performance.
- Other duties as assigned.
QualificationsQualificationsRequired- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- At least 3 years of manufacturing process engineering experience.
- Experience with polymer extrusion processes.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Knowledge of statistical analysis and process improvement methods.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.
- Working knowledge of polymer processing and rheology, extrusion screw and tooling design, crosshead and die optimization, temperature and pressure control systems, root cause analysis methodologies, process validation and scale-up, and industry standards and product compliance testing.
Preferred- At least 5 years of wire and cable manufacturing experience.
- Experience with wire insulation extrusion and cable jacketing extrusion.
- Experience with silane and peroxide crosslinking technologies.
- Knowledge of thermoplastic and thermoset wire and cable compounds.
Physical Demands- Ability to work in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to walk production floors and climb platforms as required.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
