Application Development Engineer

Trinseo•Exton, PA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Based at Trinseo’s Global Innovation Center in Exton, Pennsylvania, the Application Development Engineer supports development projects for the Rigid Compounds product line (PC, PC/ABS, and ABS compounds) and the PMMA Resins product line (acrylic resins). The role focuses on application and product development for the building and construction (B&C) and electrical and enclosures (E&E) markets. The engineer develops testing and equipment capabilities, conducts trials, establishes processing parameters, characterizes materials, analyzes data, and prepares reports and presentations. The role works with analytical sciences, commercial and new business development teams, customers, and other stakeholders to advance product and application development. It also provides technical service to North American customers and represents Trinseo at customer meetings and industry events. The position leads multiple R&D projects and programs from ideation through commercialization using stage-gate methods. It owns integrated plans and portfolio governance, coordinates cross-functional global teams, communicates portfolio status and risks, and translates strategy, market trends, and customer needs into technology roadmaps and business cases. The role also participates in safety programs and supports relevant safety initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; a master’s degree is a plus.
5–10+ years of industrial experience in new product or application development.
Experience with polymer processing, especially injection molding and extrusion.
Experience leading product or application development efforts.
Experience or training in polymer characterization, testing, and melt processing.
Proficiency with PC software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and experimental design software.
Ability to work independently and within a team environment.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, and written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree.
Experience with acrylic/PMMA and/or PC, PC/ABS, or ABS materials.
Experience in the E&E and B&C markets.

Responsibilities

Develop testing or equipment capabilities needed for new product and application development across both businesses.
Conduct trials, develop process parameters, characterize materials, analyze data, and prepare reports and presentations for projects and programs.
Interpret results, draw conclusions, communicate findings, and help guide experimental planning.
Coordinate with the analytical sciences team to complete testing and summarize results.
Generate and document results supporting product registration, technical literature, research direction, and patent applications.
Stay current on relevant market developments in E&E and B&C, processes, equipment, software, and product design.
Partner with internal commercial and new business development teams and external stakeholders to accelerate product and application development.
Represent Trinseo at strategic customer meetings, including global-account and key-validation-partner meetings, as well as conferences, tradeshows, and industry trade organizations.
Develop injection-molding and extrusion processing parameters and testing methods for new product and application development.
Participate in Trinseo safety programs and lead relevant safety initiatives as required.
Respond promptly and professionally to North American customer inquiries about products and literature.
Provide technical support at customer trials, including equipment setup, trial execution, and troubleshooting polymer processing issues.
Assist with customer training on Trinseo products and technologies and support market communication efforts.
Lead multiple concurrent R&D projects and programs from ideation through commercialization using stage-gate methodologies.
Own integrated project plans covering scope, milestones, resources, budget, risks, and intellectual property; drive execution and delivery through cross-functional global teams.
Run portfolio governance and stage-gate reviews, identify risks and issues early, and drive timely decisions.
Provide concise updates on portfolio health, milestones, and decisions needed, and influence outcomes with data-based recommendations.
Translate strategy, market trends, and customer needs into prioritized technology roadmaps and business cases.
Align stakeholders on problem statements, success metrics, timelines, and trade-offs, and manage expectations and communications across functions and regions.