Sr. Technical Specialist, Polymer Technology

Senior Technical Specialist – Polymer Technology

The Role:

· Be a significant contributor to a world-class organization by supporting with plastics expertise and owning all polymer-related aspects from concept phase to product launch

· Lead Polymer Technology Team, an internal group of specialists covering material vetting/selection/qualification, design optimization, testing, as well as DFM, process simulation, tooling, process improvements. While the team closely collaborates with design engineers and suppliers throughout product development process (optimizing part function, efficiency, and cost), it is also involved with cross-functional teams (supply chain, industrialization, quality, studio, legal, etc) in ownership of material attributes

· Be an expert contributor to address specialized/niche subject matter not covered by team’s experience

· Utilize understanding of polymer materials (thermoplastics/elastomers/thermosets, coverstocks, adhesive, paint/coating, composites) and processing (DFM, process simulation, tooling, process) for technical guidance and education of the organization, problem solving, and holistic decision-making processes

· Drive innovation by identifying technology needs, and conversion into scalable “technology demonstrator” protypes.

· Own standardization of materials, tooling, and processes.

Qualifications:

· B.S.in polymer engineering, material science or related field

· 10+ years’ experience, supporting multiple systems across the vehicle in aspects of materials, engineering design, tooling, process and testing. 5+ years of responsibility leading material selection with accountability, and shaping material/design/tooling strategy

· Must have worked in automotive development environment through complete product development process from concept to launch

· Good knowledge of polymer materials in all forms (thermoplastics, elastomers, adhesives, coverstock (coated fabric, textiles), paint, composites), and their use in automotive components

· Familiar with design rules for function, manufacturing, and cost optimization

· Significant involvement in interpretation of flow simulation and tool design.

· Proven hands-on experience with plastic injection molding process, including process optimization

· Experience with secondary processes (e.g. joining, painting, plating, press/vacuum lamination)

· Exemplary verbal and written communication skills

· Able to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% if needed

Advantageous:

· M.S. or PhD in polymer engineering, material science or related field

· Experience with other plastic manufacturing processes (incl. lesser common variants) and their part designs (e.g. water assisted IM, extrusion, blow molding, thermal forming, compression molding, pultrusion, slush molding, RTM)

· Experience developing and implementing test methods and material characterization.