Job Description
Kelly Engineering is seeking a Technical Service / Application Development Engineer for one of our leading clients in the Specialty Chemical and Materials industry at their Katy, TX location.
Please apply to learn more!
Ideal Candidate:
- B.S. or M.S. in Polymer Engineering/Science, Chemical Engineering/Chemistry, Material Engineering/Science, or related fields.
- Strong knowledge of polymer material science, rheology, processing, and/or film applications.
- Knowledge of thermoplastic polymer processing and extrusion equipment.
- 2–5 years of experience in testing and characterization of films and plastics.
- Experience with new product development preferred.
- Knowledge of compounding rubber and plastics.
Job Description:
- The TS/AD Engineer is responsible for providing technical support for Styrenic Block Copolymer (SBC) products and leading new application development projects.
- This includes driving efforts in polymer compounding, formulation-property correlation, application testing, and production scale-up.
- The role focuses on exploring and expanding SBC usage in applications such as elastic films for hygiene products, SBC compounding for injection molding, and plastic modification, aiming to foster business growth and identify new opportunities.
Technical Service Responsibilities:
- Provide expert technical support to customers on processing and performance of company products.
- Collaborate with sales to strengthen long-term customer relationships.
- Advise sales on recommending SBC products to meet customer needs.
- Partner with R&D to test and evaluate polymers in lab, pilot, and full-scale settings.
- Communicate customer quality requirements to manufacturing teams.
- Coordinate global shipment of product samples with proper documentation.
- Resolve product quality issues with internal and external stakeholders.
- Troubleshoot technical problems and offer solutions.
- Train customers on optimal use of company products.
- Prepare and present detailed technical reports.
- Attend industry conferences to engage customers and stay updated on trends.
- Write technical papers and deliver trade show presentations.
- Utilize CRM systems to track interactions and technical support cases.
Application Development Responsibilities:
- Lead new application development projects within schedule and budget.
- Design and execute experiments to validate hypotheses and value propositions.
- Develop application processes and test methods for new products.
- Analyze experimental data and guide further development.
- Communicate project updates to leadership, R&D, and business teams.
- Prepare prototype samples for evaluation and customer submission.
- Conduct process studies to optimize operating parameters.
- Operate and maintain lab equipment (compounders, extruders, molders).
- Present experimental results to stakeholders.
- Collaborate with patent counsel on patentability and applications.
- Stay informed on competitive technologies and IP developments.
- Build professional networks for collaboration and innovation.
- Keep current with industry trends and customer needs.
- Identify opportunities based on market trends.
- Implement process improvements in lab and production environments.
- Contribute to sustainability initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with industry regulations and safety standards.
- Maintain a safe and ethical work environment.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- 2–5 years of experience in cast film, blown film, multi-layer film, or non-woven.
- 2–5 years of experience in compounding SBCs for molded goods and impact modification.
- 2–5 years of experience in testing and characterization of films and plastics.
- Strong knowledge of polymer material science, rheology, processing, and film applications.
- Knowledge of thermoplastic polymer processing and extrusion equipment.
- Experience with new product development preferred.
- Knowledge of compounding rubber and plastics.
- Experience in Design of Experiment (DOE).
- Knowledge of polymer additive chemistry (antioxidants, oils, tackifiers, etc.).
- Strong experience with intellectual property and patent applications.
- B.S. or M.S. in Polymer Engineering/Science, Chemical Engineering/Chemistry, Material Engineering/Science, or related fields.
- Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally (Asia and Europe).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills.
- Ability to work independently and deliver results.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Collaborative mindset for cross-functional teamwork.
- Proven track record in IP research and patent submissions.
- Willingness to travel and attend global meetings.
- Ability to mentor junior scientists and technicians.
- Proficient in managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong understanding of scientific method, statistics, and project management.
- Adaptable to changing priorities and technologies.
- Customer-focused with exceptional service skills.
- Familiarity with industry standards and regulations.
- Fluent in English (oral and written).
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
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