Technical Development Engineer

Technical Development Engineer – Acrylic Polymer & Profiles

The Technical Development Engineer – Acrylic Polymers & Profiles provides technical sales and application support to customers and field sales representatives within the Polymer Division. This role serves as a key technical resource for acrylic polymer applications, supporting customer processing trials, product evaluations, troubleshooting, and new business development activities. The position works closely with customers, sales, manufacturing, and technical teams to support extrusion and injection molding applications utilizing acrylic polymer products. Responsibilities include participating in processing trials, assisting with product recommendations, supporting application development, and helping resolve technical and processing-related challenges to improve customer success and drive business growth. This position requires attention to detail, the ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, good communication and organizational skills and a strong commitment to safety, teamwork, and quality—reflecting Plaskolite's core values of Integrity and Improvement.

Essential tasks and responsibilities include:

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

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Polymer Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field preferred

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

Familiarity with acrylic polymers (PMMA) or similar thermoplastic materials preferred

Customer-facing technical support or technical sales experience preferred

Understanding of polymer processing parameters, tooling considerations, and product performance characteristics

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

Technical training or hands-on experience in plastics processing, extrusion, or injection molding strongly preferred

Skills and competencies:

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

Available benefits include:

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

About Plaskolite:

Plaskolite is a global leader in manufacturing of engineering thermoplastics, including Acrylic, Polycarbonate, ABS, Olefin and PETG Sheet, Extruded Profiles and PMMA Polymers. Founded in 1950, by Donald Dunn and family, Plaskolite has a reputation for providing the highest quality products in the industry. Our innovative thermoplastic solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including glazing, safety shields, lighting, signs and point-of-purchase displays. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with manufacturing facilities throughout North America and Europe, Plaskolite delivers superior thermoplastic sheet, profiles, and polymers to the world through long-lasting customer relationships and hands-on customer service. Plaskolite is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. If requested, the Company will provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified individuals where appropriate to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of the job, so long as doing so does not create an undue hardship on the business.