Process​/chemical Engineer

Process / Chemical Engineer – Rubber Mixing Department

This role leads process engineering and chemical formulation activities within the rubber Mixing Department, with a strong focus on reducing process variability, optimizing equipment performance, and resolving production issues. The engineer collaborates closely with technical, production, and commercial teams to develop, implement, and refine rubber formulations and mixing processes that meet customer specifications, support cost and scrap reduction, and align with ISO 9001 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own and optimize process parameters and equipment implementation in the rubber Mixing Department to reduce variability and improve consistency.
• Work closely with compounders, chemists, and technology leadership to create, modify, and approve rubber formulations for production.
• Collaborate with the technical department, mixing operations, sales, customer service, and customers to implement new technologies and formulations that meet specific application needs.
• Ensure adherence to ISO 9001 by developing, maintaining, and updating work instructions and related process documentation.
• Provide technical service to production by instructing operators and creating clear documentation on mixing processes, cure cycles, temperatures, and other process requirements.
• Create graphs and perform detailed data analysis of production parameters to identify trends, correlations, and improvement opportunities.
• Use enterprise software (QAD) and equipment software extensively to extract data, develop process relationships, and set up formulations and recipes for production.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers and suppliers to support technical discussions, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical service to customers by evaluating their product needs and recommending appropriate compounds and processes.
• Adjust formulations for scorch consistency through formulation changes, mixing cycle modifications, or by running SPC and adjusting control gates based on statistical results.
• Utilize work-away stock effectively by understanding existing stock and incorporating it into formulations where appropriate.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Polymer Science.
• 5+ years of experience in rubber mixing, molding, injection, and transfer/compression processes.
• Strong rubber formulating experience, including development and modification of rubber compound recipes.
• Thorough understanding of ISO 9001 and its application to process documentation and quality systems.
• Knowledge of various polymers and their behavior in rubber compounding applications.
• Hands-on experience with Banbury mixing, molding, extrusion (hot and cold feed), and curing processes such as salt, microwave, or autoclave.
• Knowledge of ingredients used in rubber formulations, including cure systems, reinforcing agents, plasticizers, fillers, antioxidants, and activators.
• Ability to create and interpret graphs and perform data analysis on production parameters.
• Proficiency working with enterprise software such as QAD and equipment software for data extraction, analysis, and formulation setup.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for production equipment and processes in a rubber mixing environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with production, technical, sales, customer service, and customer teams.
• Ability to instruct operators and create clear, practical documentation for mixing processes, cure cycles, and process requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field such as Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Polymer Science.
• Experience with SPC (Statistical Process Control) and 8-D problem-solving methods.
• Manufacturing engineering or process engineering within rubber or polymer industries.
• Experience working in environments that specialize in elastomeric rubber compounds for applications such as automotive, industrial manufacturing, and hose and belt production.
• Familiarity with internal mixers, mills, batch-off cooling equipment, feeding systems, and ancillary equipment used in…