Engineer R & D

Owens Corning•West Chicago, IL

About The Position

The R&D Process Engineer, Polymer & Coatings is responsible for developing, optimizing, and scaling innovative polymer, adhesive, coating, and material technologies that support Owens Corning's growth, product performance, manufacturing efficiency, and sustainability objectives. This role combines hands-on process engineering, material science knowledge, and critical thinking to transform new concepts into commercially viable manufacturing solutions. The Process Engineer serves as a key technical contributor within the Material and Process Innovation (MPI) organization by leading process development, conducting laboratory and pilot-scale evaluations, supporting manufacturing implementation, and providing technical expertise in polymer chemistry, adhesives, coatings, and material processing. The position requires strong analytical capability, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for solving complex product and process challenges through experimentation, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. The R&D Process Engineer, Polymer & Coatings supports the development and commercialization of new products, formulations, materials, and manufacturing processes across the Doors business. The role is responsible for driving technical breakthroughs related to polymers, adhesives, coatings, composites, and material systems while ensuring manufacturability, product performance, and operational excellence. Working closely with scientists, technicians, manufacturing teams, suppliers, quality, engineering, and commercial partners, this individual develops a deep understanding of the relationships between raw materials, chemistry, equipment, processing conditions, and final product performance. The engineer is expected to translate laboratory discoveries into scalable manufacturing processes through pilot trials, process optimization, and plant implementation activities. This position requires a strong foundation in polymer science, adhesive systems, coatings technology, materials processing, and process engineering principles. Success in the role depends on the ability to combine technical expertise with practical manufacturing knowledge, critical thinking, Lead development and optimization of polymer, adhesive, coating, and material technologies to improve product performance, manufacturing efficiency, sustainability, and cost competitiveness.

Requirements

Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, coatings technology, adhesives, thermosets, composites, and material processing principles.
Understanding of manufacturing processes, process equipment, automation systems, and scale-up methodologies.
Ability to evaluate complex interactions between materials, equipment, and process conditions to optimize performance.
Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems using data, experimentation, observation, and scientific reasoning.
Strong root-cause analysis and troubleshooting capability with a structured and analytical approach.
Comfortable working in environments with ambiguity while balancing technical rigor and business needs.
Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences including scientists, operators, technicians, leadership teams, suppliers, and customers.
Strong project management, organization, and prioritization skills.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within cross-functional teams.
Hands-on mindset with willingness to work directly with laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing equipment.
Experience with data analysis, statistical tools, DOE methodologies, and technical reporting.
0-3 years of industrial, research, internship, co-op, or technical experience supporting polymers, coatings, materials, chemical processes, or manufacturing systems.
3+ years of experience in polymer processing, coatings, adhesives, composites, materials engineering, process engineering, product development, or manufacturing support environments.
Experience conducting laboratory evaluations, pilot trials, process development, and manufacturing scale-up activities.
Experience applying structured problem-solving techniques, statistical methods, and continuous improvement tools.
Experience collaborating with manufacturing operations and cross-functional technical teams.
Demonstrated success in developing and implementing technical solutions that improve product performance, reliability, quality, or cost.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Minitab, JMP, process monitoring systems, or other engineering software is preferred.

Responsibilities

Design, execute, and analyze laboratory, pilot-scale, and manufacturing trials that validate product concepts and process improvements.
Develop a deep understanding of polymer chemistry, coatings behavior, cure mechanisms, adhesion science, rheology, material interactions, and processing fundamentals.
Apply experimental design, statistical analysis, and scientific methods to investigate technical challenges and identify robust solutions.
Support scale-up of new technologies from concept and laboratory validation through pilot evaluation and commercial manufacturing implementation.
Partner closely with manufacturing operations to optimize process capability, throughput, yield, quality, reliability, and safety.
Troubleshoot product, material, equipment, and process performance issues using structured root-cause analysis methodologies.
Evaluate raw materials, formulations, additives, coatings, adhesives, and processing technologies for potential implementation.
Collaborate with suppliers and external partners to identify emerging technologies and accelerate innovation opportunities.
Generate technical reports, recommendations, design standards, process specifications, and development documentation.
Support qualification and commissioning of new equipment, process technologies, and manufacturing systems.
Develop and maintain process windows, operating parameters, control strategies, and manufacturing best practices.
Provide technical leadership on cross-functional project teams involving R&D, Operations, Quality, Tooling, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Commercial organizations.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on waste reduction, process robustness, product quality, and operational excellence.
Support customer evaluations, plant trials, startup activities, and commercialization efforts as needed.
Travel to manufacturing locations, suppliers, research partners, and customer facilities to support development and implementation activities.