R&D​/Process Engineer

Posted Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Asten Johnson is the leader in technical fabrics. Our drive to provide the best products and service in our industry is fueled by our associates and their drive to innovate. We want our associates to build careers here and become part of the fabric of our 230 year old company. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a workplace built on respect and purpose.

Join Asten Johnson’s New Product Development Team and be part of an organization that values safety, quality, innovation, and collaboration. As an R&D/Process Engineer, you will play a key role in supporting manufacturing operations and advancing the development of thermoplastic polymer materials and products for internal and external customers.

• Location:
  
  Williston, VT
• Job Type: Full-time, salaried exempt
• Salary Range: $70,000 – $95,000 annually, depending on education, experience, and qualifications

The incumbent will be responsible for providing technical support by evaluating existing processes and configuring manufacturing systems to continuously improve quality, reduce cost, improve sustainability and develop best practices within the production processes. Will also be responsible for research and development of materials and blends of Thermoplastic polymers through systematic experimentation (Design of Experiments) aimed toward developing improved products for our internal and external customers.

Analyze new and competitive materials as needed to stay ahead of competition. The position requires a working knowledge of process engineering tools. Preference will be given to technically competent, internally motivated, and results-oriented individuals.

• Support the current process in manufacturing working closely with the manufacturing and quality leads
• Optimize and trouble shoot the manufacturing processes when go outside the normal process control limits
• Improve process capability while maintaining and improving quality standards using tools such as statistical process control to make data-based decisions
• Research and assist in assessing new manufacturing technology in area of compounding, extrusion and downstream process of monofilament manufacturing
• Lead Projects by helping to Prioritize, Plan and Execute projects based on business needs that will strengthen company’s technical knowledge of thermoplastic materials, contribute to the development of new products and build on current processing and product capabilities
• Develop trial plans using the rigor of DOE and run trial samples on pilot line for initial development trials
• Coordinate production scale-up and validation trials, working closely with the manufacturing teams on new products and product modifications
• Work with Central Engineering on equipment designs to develop a cost-effective process and working solutions to improve quality and productivity
• Assist procurement in raw material quality control and new material screening & qualification
• Collaborate with outside testing facilities, universities, suppliers and customers as needed
• Apply a sound basic knowledge of safety, environmental and energy-related issues during the execution of projects
• Maintain a safe workplace through compliance with all health & safety policies
• Performs other responsibilities related to job duties as assigned
• Help foster a work environment that advocates ethics, respect and diversity

A Bachelor’s degree in Textile/Plastics/Polymer/Material Science/Technology/Engineering or Chemical Engineering with progressive industrial experience in R&D, Process and Product Development, Process Engineering in the following industries;
Thermoplastic Polymer Extrusion of Film/Filaments or similar polymer extrusion continuous manufacturing environment to meet or exceed at least one of the requirements.
Bachelor’s degree with 2–4 years of experience
Master’s degree with 1–2 years of experience
PhD with at least 1 year of experience

• Experience with process control engineering skills and latest process technologies in field…