Materials Process Engineer

Placon Corporation•Madison, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

We're looking for a curious and hands-on Materials Process Engineer who enjoys solving manufacturing challenges, developing innovative materials, and driving continuous improvement. If you have a strong technical background in polymers or materials science and enjoy collaborating across engineering, innovation, and production teams, this is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact on new product development and manufacturing excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
Strong technical understanding of polymer materials, processing methods, and testing techniques
Experience collecting and analyzing data to support process and product decisions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams
Strong organizational, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
Self-motivated with exceptional attention to detail and time management skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in a manufacturing environment
Knowledge of extrusion, thermoforming, and related plastics processing technologies
Understanding of statistical process control and capability analysis
Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
Project management experience, including project planning, risk identification, and milestone tracking
Familiarity with ERP systems, QMS software, Oracle, InfinityQS, and Microsoft Office Suite

Responsibilities

Develop and execute plans to qualify new materials and products while demonstrating process capability
Investigate, test, and establish specifications for new materials used in thermoforming processes, including mono- and multilayer coextrusions, laminations, and coatings
Collect, analyze, and present data-driven recommendations to support decision-making
Support capital equipment projects by becoming a subject matter expert on materials, processes, and equipment
Create work instructions, process documentation, and training materials for production teams
Collaborate with Design and Engineering teams to support new product development and tooling requirements
Develop and maintain technical documentation, including specifications and technical data sheets
Establish and review product standards for material usage, labor, and equipment performance
Support process development and continuous improvement initiatives within ISO quality systems
Prepare capital expenditure proposals and support project approval processes
Research and evaluate next-generation materials and manufacturing technologies