R&D Process Engineer - Polymer Material

Taghleef Industries is seeking a hands-on R&D Process Engineer– Polymer & Materials to support our Terre Haute manufacturing operation. This role will serve as a technical bridge between R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Manufacturing, with a strong focus on polymer materials, resin performance, formulation, compounding, extrusion, and production-process optimization. The Process Expert will work directly with plant personnel to qualify materials, conduct production trials, troubleshoot resin and polymer-related issues, evaluate material performance, and help transition technical developments from R&D into full-scale manufacturing. The ideal candidate combines a strong foundation in chemistry and polymer science with practical manufacturing and processing experience. This individual should be comfortable moving between technical analysis, laboratory work, production trials, and hands-on troubleshooting on the manufacturing floor.

Responsibilities:

• Support qualification and evaluation of new resin and polymer materials.
• Conduct and support production trials.
• Troubleshoot polymer, resin, formulation, compounding, and extrusion-related issues.
• Identify root causes of material or process-performance problems.
• Support formulation, material development, and process optimization.
• Collaborate with R&D, Process Engineering, Operations, and Production.
• Provide technical guidance related to resin selection, material behavior, and processing conditions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the manufacturing process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Plastics Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or PhD preferred.

Experience

• Approximately 5–10 years of relevant experience preferred.
• Experience may include:
• Polymer processing
• Resin or plastics manufacturing
• Formulation
• Compounding
• Extrusion
• Product development
• Process engineering
• Flexible film or packaging manufacturing
• R&D-to-manufacturing scale-up

Ideal candidates should have experience with:

• Polymers and resin materials
• Chemistry and Material Behavior
• Formulation and compounding
• Extrusion and polymer processing
• Production trials
• Root-cause analysis and troubleshooting
• Process improvement
• Manufacturing environments

The ideal candidate is:

• Hands-on and comfortable working in a manufacturing environment
• Strong in technical problem solving
• Independent and self-directed
• Comfortable working across R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Production
• Able to translate technical concepts into practical manufacturing solutions

This is a full-time onsite position in Terre Haute, Indiana and requires regular interaction with the production floor.

Taghleef is a Drug Free Workplace - Must pass pre-employment drug screen and background check. Taghleef offers a solid track record of growth and expansion in the food packaging industry as well as a competitive benefits package including paid time off, paid holidays, health/prescription, dental and vision insurance, both short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, additional life insurance amounts available including spouse and dependent child coverage through payroll deductions, flexible spending accounts, company funded heath savings accounts, fitness reimbursement, tuition assistance and 401(k) with a company match. Taghleef Industries, is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other trait protected by law.