Senior R&D Engineer/Chemist
DESCRIPTION:
Avient Corporation provides specialized and sustainable material solutions that transform customer challenges into opportunities, bringing new products to life for a better world. Examples include:
· Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™, enables unmatched levels of performance and protection for end-use applications, including ballistic personal protection, marine and sustainable infrastructure and outdoor sports
· Unique technologies that improve the recyclability of products and enable recycled content to be incorporated, thus advancing a more circular economy
· Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation and reduce carbon footprint
· Sustainable infrastructure solutions that increase energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resource conservation and fiber optic / 5G network accessibility
Avient employs approximately 10,000 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care®, a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and certified Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.avient.com.
WHY AVIENT:
Avient Corporation is a world-class sustainable organization built on innovation, collaboration, and employee development. We are committed to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment where our diverse associates can grow and succeed, as well positively impacting our planet and the communities we serve. Our Great Place to Work culture, values, and benefits make Avient an employer of choice for top talent.
At Avient, we believe diversity of ideas and backgrounds gives us the creativity to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In support of this, we stress equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals in accordance with applicable laws. Decisions on hiring, promotion, development, compensation or advancement are based solely on a person’s qualifications, abilities, experience and performance.
Job Summary
The Senior R&D Engineer/Chemist for Avient’s growing Fiber-Line business will be responsible for developing and delivering added value to a range of fibers, including technical fibers, through processing and coating approaches. The Senior R&D Engineer/Chemist will design, prototype, and scale prototype technical fibers for a variety of applications in markets like fiber optic cable, transportation, energy, building & construction, consumer, and industrial. They will develop test plans and procedures, conduct lab, pilot, and commercial scale trials, analyze data, and communicate results to all levels of internal and external stakeholders, including Technology, Operations, and Commercial functions plus customers and relevant industry groups. They will explore with the goal of implementing new and cutting edge industry material and process developments by engaging material and equipment manufacturers and academia and by participating in industry trade shows and technical conferences. They will collaborate with subject matter experts across Fiber-Line and the global Avient Technology community as well as with customers, manufacturing partners, and raw material suppliers.
The ideal candidate will have a clear understanding of technical fibers and coatings manufacturing processes and design principles. There is specific interest in thermoplastic and thermoset coatings experience, as well as formulation and coatings expertise. They should have a basic understanding of composite material characterization and mechanical test methods. They must perform independently but as part of a team.
Essential Functions
· Lead and contribute to fiber product and process development projects
· Design and conduct lab, pilot, and commercial scale experiments and trials
· Collect and analyze product and process data and draw conclusions driving new developments
· Effectively communicate technical work to cross-functional internal and external stakeholders at different levels
· Manage multiple projects by prioritizing work streams and collaborating with others for on-time delivery
· Aid Marketing and Sales in identifying existing and new market needs to drive future developments
· Identify raw materials and composite fabrication processes to deliver new products that meet customer requirements
· Technically support scale up and commercialization of new products and processes
· Partner with Manufacturing to establish new product and quality specifications and testing requirements
· Serve as a technical expert as needed with potential customers, partners, and Manufacturing
· Deliver inventive innovations and participate in the intellectual property process
· Participate in and present technical work at industry trade shows and technical conferences
· Conduct work in a safe, respectful and ethical manner
· Travel (as needed) to internal and external meetings and product or process trials
· Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
· PhD degree with 4+ years’ experience in Engineering, Material Science, Chemistry or related field is preferred.
· Master’s degree with 7+ years’ related experience is required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
· Knowledge of fibers and formulations coatings experience required. Specific coatings experience desired in thermoplastic and thermoset coatings.
· Knowledge of material characterization and mechanical test methods required.
· Experience with composite material test methods preferred.
· Experience with complex manufacturing processes (fibers or polymers) required.
· Knowledge of / experience with composite manufacturing processes preferred.
· Hands on approach with ability to conduct fiber product and process trials at lab, pilot, and commercial scales.
· Experience with statistical experimental design and data analysis required.
· Self-motivated team player capable of independently driving projects as a leader or in a contributing role as needed.
· Curious learner able to network and engage internal and external colleagues globally.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
§ While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:
§ stand up to12hrs per shift
§ use hands to finger 8 to 12hrs per shift
§ handle and/or feel and reach with hands and arms up to 12hrs per shift
§ required to walk/stand/sit up to 12hrs per shift
§ required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and talk or hear 8 to 12hrs per shift
§ Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 55 lbs.
§ specific vision abilities required include:
§ close vision
§ depth perception
§ ability to adjust focus
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The characteristics listed below are representative of the work environment typically encountered by an individual while performing the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.
§ While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to:
§ moving mechanical parts
§ fumes or airborne particles
§ noise level in the work environment ranges from normal office noise levels to loud noise
§ Employees are required to wear mandatory PPE(8 to 12hrs per shift)which include:
§ hearing protection when on production floor
§ steel toe shoes/boots when on production floor
§ uniforms
§ specific gloves when performing specific tasks
Environmental, Health, Safety, & Security (EHS&S) Requirements
Avient Corporation is a drug free workplace. Avient is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of non-discrimination in providing equal employment to all qualified employees and candidates regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran’s status, or other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law.