Technical Development Engineer

Summary

PLASKOLITE is a global leader in manufacturing engineering thermoplastics. The Technical Development Engineer – Acrylic Polymers & Profiles provides technical sales and application support to customers, assists with processing trials, and collaborates with various teams to drive business growth and customer success.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot processing, product performance, and manufacturing-related issues involving acrylic polymers
• Provide technical support to polymer sales representatives and customers for acrylic polymer applications and optimized processing
• Support extrusion and injection molding trials at customer and manufacturing locations
• Assist customers with material selection, processing recommendations, and application development
• Work closely with sales, manufacturing, engineering, and technical teams to support customer projects and business growth
• Participate in new product evaluations, customer qualifications, and commercialization activities
• Analyze customer applications, processing conditions, and performance requirements to recommend appropriate solutions
• Assist with the development and maintenance of technical documentation, trial reports, and application data
• Support customer visits, technical presentations, and product demonstrations as needed
• Monitor and communicate market, application, and competitive trends to commercial and technical leadership
• Maintain regular communication with customers regarding trial progress, technical issues, and project status
• Travel to customer sites, manufacturing facilities, and industry events as required to support business objectives
• All other duties as assigned

Skills

• Equivalent combination of technical education and relevant industry experience may be considered
• 3–7 years of experience in plastics, polymers, extrusion, injection molding, or related manufacturing environments
• Experience supporting or participating in extrusion and/or injection molding processing trials
• Understanding of polymer processing parameters, tooling considerations, and product performance characteristics
• Experience troubleshooting processing or application-related issues in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to work cross-functionally with sales, manufacturing, engineering, and customers
• Willingness and ability to travel to customer sites, processing facilities, and manufacturing locations as needed
• Strong understanding of polymer processing principles, including extrusion and injection molding
• Ability to support and troubleshoot customer processing trials and application challenges
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Customer-focused mindset with strong relationship-building skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with sales, manufacturing, engineering, and R&D teams
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Working knowledge of processing equipment, tooling, and material performance characteristics
• Self-motivated and adaptable in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment
• Proficiency with standard business software and technical reporting/documentation
• Bachelor's degree in Polymer Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field preferred
• Familiarity with acrylic polymers (PMMA) or similar thermoplastic materials preferred
• Customer-facing technical support or technical sales experience preferred
• Technical training or hands-on experience in plastics processing, extrusion, or injection molding strongly preferred

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Equivalent combination of technical education and relevant industry experience may be considered
• 3–7 years of experience in plastics, polymers, extrusion, injection molding, or related manufacturing environments
• Experience supporting or participating in extrusion and/or injection molding processing trials
• Understanding of polymer processing parameters, tooling considerations, and product performance characteristics
• Experience troubleshooting processing or application-related issues in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to work cross-functionally with sales, manufacturing, engineering, and customers
• Willingness and ability to travel to customer sites, processing facilities, and manufacturing locations as needed
• Strong understanding of polymer processing principles, including extrusion and injection molding
• Ability to support and troubleshoot customer processing trials and application challenges
• Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Customer-focused mindset with strong relationship-building skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with sales, manufacturing, engineering, and R&D teams
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Working knowledge of processing equipment, tooling, and material performance characteristics
• Self-motivated and adaptable in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment
• Proficiency with standard business software and technical reporting/documentation

Nice to Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Polymer Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field preferred
• Familiarity with acrylic polymers (PMMA) or similar thermoplastic materials preferred
• Customer-facing technical support or technical sales experience preferred
• Technical training or hands-on experience in plastics processing, extrusion, or injection molding strongly preferred

Benefits

• Sign-On Bonus
• Health Insurance
• 401(k) and Employer Contribution
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Discount Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Voluntary Life Insurance