Materials Engineer

Infiltrator Water Technologies•Winchester, KY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Headquartered in Old Saybrook, CT, Infiltrator Water Technologies is the leading provider of engineered plastic chambers, synthetic aggregates, tanks, advanced wastewater treatment systems, and accessories for the onsite/decentralized wastewater and storm water management industries. The majority of Infiltrator products are manufactured from recycled plastic. Founded in 1987, we operate throughout the US and Canada with 8 manufacturing plants in the US, dedicated sales, and corporate team members. Infiltrator is a pioneer in innovative plastic technologies for underground water management. Infiltrator components are used in most onsite septic systems installed in the United States and Canada. Infiltrator is a proud Corporate Partner of Habitat for Humanity and each year donates components for 50 septic systems serving Habitat homes in North America. Infiltrator is committed to advancing the state of the art on all fronts, including product design, manufacturing, materials, wastewater science, marketing, management, and employee development. In other words, we strive to be the best we can be. We are seeking a highly motivated, hands-on Materials Engineer with experience in polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) within a production environment. This role blends traditional materials engineering with modern, data-driven approaches by leveraging programming, automation, and advanced analytics to improve material performance, consistency, and cost.The ideal candidate is a self-starter with strong curiosity and a bias for action, comfortable working at the intersection of materials science, manufacturing, and digital technology. You will play a critical role in supporting 24/7 production operations, partnering closely with manufacturing, quality, and materials teams to solve problems in real time while driving continuous improvement.This is a high-impact, future-oriented position within a growth industry and market leader, offering the opportunity to work alongside a strong team of experienced engineers and subject matter experts. You will contribute directly to advancing how materials are developed, evaluated, and optimized—helping shape the next generation of products and processes through innovation, sustainability, and the application of modern technology.

Requirements

3–5 years of hands-on experience working with polypropylene (PP) and/or polyethylene (PE) materials in a manufacturing, R&D, or materials engineering environment
Bachelor’s degree required in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field
Demonstrated understanding of plastic–property relationships, particularly for PP and PE systems
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret material performance and support formulation or process decisions
Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams (engineering, manufacturing, quality, and procurement)
Self-driven with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a hands-on, fast-paced environment
Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills with ability to lead and influence peers
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and experience working with AI agents.

Nice To Haves

Experience with recycled or reprocessed PP/PE materials preferred, but not required
Familiarity with polymer testing and characterization methods (e.g., mechanical testing, thermal analysis, rheology, or similar) preferred
Exposure to plastic processing methods (e.g., injection molding, extrusion, compounding) is a plus
Experience or coursework in programming, data analysis, or databases (e.g., Python, SQL, MATLAB, or similar) strongly preferred
Interest or experience in machine learning, AI, or data-driven materials development is highly desirable

Responsibilities

Support daily material decision-making for raw materials and blend silos to ensure manufacturing requirements (specifications, volumes, and availability) are consistently met
Develop and recommend material blending strategies, including batch deviations, silo assignments, and blend formulations to achieve required molded part performance
Partner closely with the Materials Processing team to manage the daily blending of recycled and virgin polymers, ensuring optimal use of wide-spec and prime materials
Interpret polymer test data in collaboration with the in-house lab and translate results into clear, actionable process and material adjustments
Evaluate incoming and purchased recycled materials; recommend sourcing decisions based on material properties, performance, and cost
Drive material cost optimization while maintaining strict adherence to part performance specifications
Provide technical expertise in PP/PE materials and recycled polymers, supporting both production and ongoing material development initiatives
Apply data-driven and analytical approaches, including programming or automation tools where applicable, to improve material selection, blending decisions, and process efficiency
Maintain close collaboration with the in-house polymer laboratory, ensuring effective use of testing capabilities to support rapid, informed decision-making
Actively support 24/7 production operations, including availability to respond to critical material or process issues as needed
Continuously identify and implement opportunities for process improvement, material innovation, and increased operational efficiency across materials and manufacturing workflows