Printing Process Engineer; Remote

Position: Printing Process Engineer (Remote)
Job Title:

Printing Process Engineer

Job Description

This contract role offers an experienced Printing Process Engineer the opportunity to lead end-to-end development of advanced printing processes on polymer substrates, with a strong focus on polyurethane and rubber/elastomer materials. You will drive a rebranding initiative across multiple product lines by designing and implementing durable, high-quality, full-color graphics solutions for consumer-facing products used in demanding, outdoor environments. The position combines deep technical expertise in adhesion science, surface treatment, and printing technologies with hands-on process engineering, from concept and prototyping through to scalable production.

Responsibilities

* Lead the development of end-to-end printing process flows on polymer substrates, including preparation, printing, curing, and post-treatment steps.

* Design and optimize printing processes specifically for polyurethane, rubber, and elastomer-based products, ensuring strong adhesion and long-term durability.

* Analyze and manage the interplay between materials and printing processes, with a focus on low surface energy substrates and their adhesion challenges.

* Evaluate and implement various printing technologies, with a strong emphasis on inkjet printing and thermal transfer or similar methods, to determine the most suitable approach for each application.

* Develop new printing solutions from scratch where existing methods do not meet branding or performance requirements, treating the work as a true research and development initiative.

* Apply and refine surface treatment techniques such as plasma, corona treatment, and primer or chemical surface preparation to enhance adhesion.

* Leverage a strong grounding in adhesion science to troubleshoot issues, improve bond strength, and ensure consistent print quality under weathering and UV exposure.

* Work on printing solutions for durable or outdoor graphics, ensuring resistance to environmental factors while maintaining high-quality aesthetics.

* Support consumer-facing product branding upgrades by delivering visually appealing, full-color graphics that align with design and marketing goals.

* Scale successful printing processes from prototype to full production, including documentation, process control, and transfer to manufacturing environments.

* Collaborate with plant personnel, suppliers, and other stakeholders during site visits to implement and refine printing processes on production equipment.

* Contribute technical insights from industries such as sporting goods, tire and rubber manufacturing, or other polymer-heavy product environments to inform best practices and innovation.

Essential Skills

* Minimum of 12 years of experience in printing process engineering or closely related fields.

* Deep experience printing on polymer substrates, particularly polyurethane (PU) and rubber or elastomer materials.

* Strong understanding of material and process interplay, especially as it relates to printing performance and adhesion.

* Expertise in addressing adhesion challenges on low surface energy materials.

* Hands-on experience with inkjet printing technologies, highly preferred.

* Hands-on experience with thermal transfer printing or similar processes.

* Experience working with multiple printing technologies and not being limited to a single method.

* Proven ability to develop complete process flows from preparation through printing, curing, and post-treatment.

* Strong grounding in adhesion science, including the principles that govern bonding to polymers and elastomers.

* Practical experience with surface treatments such as plasma and corona treatment.

* Experience using primers or chemical surface preparation methods to improve adhesion.

* Background working with durable or outdoor graphics that must withstand weathering and UV exposure.

* Experience supporting consumer-facing product aesthetics and branding upgrades.

* Demonstrated success in scaling processes from prototype to production in a manufacturing environment.

* Industry experience in sporting goods, tire or rubber manufacturing, or other polymer-heavy product environments.

Additional

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