Materials Engineer – Rubber Compounding & Materials Development (Multiple U.S. Locations)

• Lead the development, optimization, and validation of rubber compounds and polymer formulations for cable insulation, jackets, and specialty applications.

• Manage material development projects from concept through commercialization, including formulation design, laboratory evaluation, plant trials, and production implementation.

• Conduct compound mixing, material characterization, and performance testing to evaluate processing behavior and product performance.

• Analyze and troubleshoot compound-related manufacturing issues, recommending formulation, processing, or raw material improvements.

• Partner with manufacturing teams to support scale-up activities, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Collaborate with suppliers to evaluate new raw materials, additives, fillers, and elastomer technologies.

• Use analytical techniques including FTIR, DSC, TGA, SEM, DMA, rheology, and mechanical testing to investigate material performance and failure modes.

• Prepare technical reports, project updates, and recommendations for engineering, operations, quality, and leadership teams.

• Develop and maintain material specifications, test methods, and technical documentation to support product quality and regulatory requirements.

• Support cross-functional initiatives focused on cost reduction, sustainability, performance enhancement, and new product development.

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Materials Engineering.

• 3+ years of working experience with rubber compounding, polymer formulation development, elastomer processing, or material development projects.

• Strong understanding of polymer and elastomer fundamentals, including fillers, additives, curing systems, and material performance characteristics.

• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret technical and experimental data.

• Ability to work effectively in laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing environments.

• Strong communication and project management skills with the ability to collaborate across functions.

• 5+ years of working experience in rubber compounding, elastomer formulation, polymer materials development, or related manufacturing environments.

• Experience with cable, wire, rubber, plastics, extrusion, compounding, or materials processing industries.

• Hands-on experience with internal mixers, two-roll mills, extrusion equipment, or compound scale-up activities.

• Knowledge of EPDM, EPR, silicone, neoprene, CPE, XLPE, or other elastomeric material systems.

• Experience leading material development projects, plant trials, or product commercialization efforts.

• Familiarity with analytical and characterization techniques such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, SEM, DMA, rheology, and mechanical testing.

• Background in manufacturing troubleshooting, quality improvement, and supplier material qualification programs.