Principal R&D Engineer – Advanced Polymer Processing

Principal R&D Engineer – Advanced Polymer Processing
South Central Texas

Materials / R&D / Polymer Science

Our client is a publicly traded, high-growth manufacturer of engineered materials used in performance-critical applications. With a strong reputation for product quality and innovation, the company continues to invest in next-generation materials and scalable processing capabilities.

As part of this effort, they are seeking a Principal R&D Engineer to support development within a core polymer platform tied directly to product performance. This role fills a key technical gap within the R&D organization and will play an important role in advancing material capability and consistency.

This is not a broad R&D role. This is a focused technical seat.

Your mission is to apply deep expertise in polymer systems, connect material design to real-world performance, and support the development and scaling of materials used in demanding environments. If you’ve built your experience working with performance-driven polymer systems and understand how material behavior translates through processing into finished products, this is for YOU.

Your Mission:

Own the material understanding. Connect it to processing. Help drive performance. LET’S GO.

What YOU get to DO in this role:

Support development of engineered polymer systems used in performance-driven applications
Translate material chemistry into mechanical, environmental, and durability outcomes
Partner with engineering teams to align material behavior with processing and manufacturing conditions
Define and refine structure–property relationships across material systems
Contribute to lab-scale development and support transition into production environments
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, and product management
Support development of testing strategies tied to long-term performance and durability
Drive continuous improvement efforts related to material performance and consistency
Contribute to ongoing material innovation and IP development efforts
Operate in a hands-on, cross-functional R&D environment

What you NEED to SUCCEED in this role:

Master’s, or PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field
3+ years of experience working with polymer systems in a processing or manufacturing environment
Strong understanding of material behavior, formulation, and performance characteristics
Hands-on exposure to processing environments where material properties are influenced by manufacturing conditions
Understanding of how processing variables impact final product performance
Experience with mechanical, environmental, or durability testing methodologies
Familiarity with material additives and modifiers used to enhance performance
Comfort working across lab and production environments
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset
Ability to collaborate across teams in a technical, hands-on role

What’s in it for you at this company?

A high-impact technical role tied directly to core product performance
Opportunity to step into a specialized position filling a real capability gap
Direct exposure to how materials perform in real-world applications
Strong cross-functional collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and product teams
Full relocation assistance provided (~$30K net)
Competitive compensation aligned with experience and scope
Comprehensive benefits package including health coverage, retirement plans, and paid time off
A growing organization that values technical contribution, execution, and product performance
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