R&D Technician / Manager – Rotational Molding Materials

Role details

Position Summary

Hands-on R&D professional responsible for rotational molding material and product development, supporting new product innovation, customer problem-solving, and commercialization. This role bridges lab development, plant scale-up, and customer application needs.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Formulation

- Develop and optimize roto molding formulations (PE, XLPE, advanced polymers and Special Effects PE)

- Design materials to meet customer performance requirements

- Modify formulations using additives, crosslinking systems, and blends

- Lead new product development from concept to commercialization

Testing & Process Development

- Operate R&D rotational molding equipment

- Perform and interpret testing: impact, MFI, density, ESCR, thermal/mechanical

- Develop test methods, specifications, and validation plans

- Design and execute DOE to establish processing windows and scale-up correlations

Technical Support

- Troubleshoot customer processing and performance issues

- Recommend materials, additives, and process conditions

- Address issues such as warpage, sintering, brittleness, and durability

Collaboration

- Work with manufacturing, sales, customers, and leadership

- Support plant trials, scale-up, and customer development efforts

- Communicate technical results to diverse stakeholders

Materials Expertise

- Strong knowledge of Polyethylene (PE) and cross-linkable PE (XLPE)

- Familiarity with higher-value materials (PA, PC, PP, specialty polymers) preferred

Qualifications

- BS in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field

- 5\+ years (Technician) / 8–10\+ years (Manager) experience in roto molding or plastics

- Expertise in formulation, processing, and material testing

- Hands-on experience with R&D and pilot-scale equipment

Preferred

- Crosslinking systems (e.g., peroxide)

- DOE and statistical analysis

- Fuel tanks / regulated applications or similar

- Scale-up from lab to production environments

Key Skills

- Problem-solving and analytical capability

- Strong customer-facing and communication skills

- Ability to manage multiple projects

- Commercial and application-focused mindset

Additional Capabilities

- Powder processing, stabilization, pigmentation, and aesthetics

- Compounding: extrusion (single/twin screw), blending, feeders

- Masterbatches, color systems, specialty visual effects

- Quality systems and qualification processes

- Lean / Six Sigma mindset (plus)

Travel

- \~10–30% (customers, plants, trials)

Leveling

Role may be filled at Technician or Manager level based on experience and leadership scope.