Process/Development Rubber Chemist

Wabtec Corporation•Wytheville, VA

63d•Onsite

About The Position

It's not just about your career or job title… It's about who you are and the impact you will make on the world. Because whether it's for each other or our customers, we put People First. When our people come together, we Expand the Possible and continuously look for ways to improve what we create and how we do it. If you are constantly striving to grow, you're in good company. We are revolutionizing the way the world moves for future generations, and we want someone who is ready to move with us. Who will you be working with? As a member of the Elastomers, Group, the successful candidate will work with management and manufacturing personnel to provide leadership as to the Processes and Development of our Elastomer Products. How will you make a difference? As a member of the Elastomer Group in the Components Team, you will be responsible for overseeing elastomers, processes, and products. Processing - Define parameters for molded rubber products (compression, transfer, and injection), calendered rubber goods (coated fabric and sheet stocks), inserts (variety of metals) coatings/adhesives, and mandril built products (autoclave cured). Development - Formulations/Fabrics (new and revisions) to meet specific performance/customer requirements, along with good processing characteristics to assist production. Proficient with scientific and analytical techniques for problem solving. Interacts with suppliers and customers (both internal and external) to evaluate and implement improvements and cost reductions. Products are used in a wide variety of markets and applications. This role reports the General Manager. Remote work is not available.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of elastomers, fabrics, plastics, adhesives, other reinforcing materials and rubber processing technologies,
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
B.S. degree from a four-year college or university in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Polymer Science with three to five years related experience in rubber or plastics industry; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience with business development, customer relations or direct support of these functions is preferred

Responsibilities

Develop rubber compounds to meet specific customer requirements. All organic and inorganic polymers are in use (NR, SBR, NBR, HNBR, EPDM, CR, FKM, SIL, etc.)
Develop fabrics in conjunction with suppliers to meet specific customer requirements. Many fabric types and constructions are currently utilized.
Develop inserts, with engineering assistance and suppliers to meet specific customer requirements. Many metal types are currently utilized.
Work closely with all suppliers to ensure the best possible ingredients and procedures are utilized.
Develop and identify potential sources for compounds, fabric and inserts. Work with suppliers and internal engineering for technical needs and cost reduction potentials.
Plan and conduct, evaluations and qualifications for all raw materials and assist the customers with these qualifications.
Work closely with suppliers and customers to meet customer needs.
Evaluates findings to develop new concepts, products, equipment, or processes, or to develop applications of findings to new uses.
Prepares technical reports for use by engineering or management personnel for long-and short-range planning, more for use by sales engineering personnel in sales or technical services activities.
Coordinates with all functions internally with activities concerned with development, procurement, installations, and calibration of instruments, equipment, and control devices required.
Assists QA with developing and implementing test procedures for all components (rubber, fabric, inserts, etc.), WIP, and finished goods.
Confers with engineering, and technical personnel to resolve testing problems such as product or system malfunctions, incomplete test data and data interpretation.
Analyzes and interprets test data and prepares technical reports for use by internal or external customers.
Develop new test methods for rubber testing as required.
Performs FMEA Analysis and assists in failure analysis on field returns.