Research Engineer

Job Title: Research Engineer

Reports to: Sr. Research Manager

Department: R&D

FLSA: FT/Exempt

Travel requirements: Less than 10%

Compensation: $70,000-$85,000 (Compensation decisions are dependent on the specific details and circumstances of each hire such as experience, skills, and education.)

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (Flexible)

Who we are

MSI Technology, L.L.C.

MSI Technology specializes in the sales, marketing, and development of specialty polymers. We market Plexar tie-layer adhesives (manufactured by LyondellBasell), SPS peelable sealants, and SpeciPurge purging resins to global markets.

Soarus, L.L.C.

Soarus, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Group, is the sales, marketing, and R&D arm for acetyl resins in North and South America. Soarus’ main products are Soarnol (EVOH copolymer), Gohsenx (Specialty PVOH), and Nichigo G-Polymer.

Together, Soarus L.L.C. and MSI Technology L.L.C., located in Arlington Heights, IL, provide a one-stop shop for specialty polymers.

Job Description

Plan, organize, and conduct laboratory work supporting barrier resin and tie-layer customers producing multilayer structures for barrier applications by providing research, technical support/recommendations, and documenting results for internal and external review.

Adheres to company safety, health, and security practices, policies, and procedures while fulfilling work responsibilities. Partners with management to support safety initiatives to ensure the organization is in compliance with laws, regulations, and company policies.

Essential Role Responsibilities:

Conduct laboratory analysis of materials and structures in multilayer articles supporting R&D team with product development, testing, and design of specialty tie-layer adhesives

Conduct benchmarking performance and quality investigations on products

Support R&D team with product development and design of specialty plastic resins and products

Conduct compounding trials, film/sheet extrusion trials on laboratory cast and blown films lines

Ability to read electrical schematics to troubleshoot and regularly maintain laboratory equipment

Assist with creating new materials and/or improving existing materials and providing detailed reports on results

Document final analytical test findings for new product development, compound fabrication, and quality control

Maintain clean and functional work area and disassemble/clean/reassemble equipment as necessary

Analyze materials on digital microscopes and by using characterization equipment including DSC, FTIR, etc.

Run mechanical laboratory tests such as peel force and rheological testing such as melt flow and capillary rheometry

Responsible for storage room organization and electronic material inventory and procurement of new raw materials

Maintain and ensure compliance of company with all safety policies and to maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all materials in inventory in Dropbox

Ensure that OSHA, Environmental Health, and Company Safety policies and procedures are adhered to while operating analytical equipment and fabrication equipment in the laboratory

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field

Zero (0) to three years (3) prior work experience in relevant work capacity in the plastics industry.

Preferred: Master’s Degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field; Prior experience in a relevant work capacity in the plastics industry. Three (3) to five (5) years prior work experience in relevant work capacity in the plastics industry

Additional Qualifications:

Ability to manage in a fast paced, challenging environment while remaining focused on obtaining objectives is a must. Leadership across varied projects and teams essential. Coordination and ability to drive results across other functions is essential. Project management and Financial management skills necessary. Experience with laboratory equipment such as FTIR, DSC, digital microscopes as well as mechanical testing equipment desired. Experience with plastics processing equipment (cast/blown film and compounding).

Knowledge of adhesive formulation

Familiar with manufacturing process development and optimization

Familiar with techniques and equipment’s for measuring and analyzing various material properties

Creative mindset, passion for learning and action

Ability to act independently and lead research teams

Hands-on experience of production and testing equipment’s for adhesive material

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Technologically savvy with proficiency in MS Office for data collection, interpretation, and documentation

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision

HSA/FSA

401k with Mutual of America

401k employer matching

Voluntary Insurance

MetLife Legal Plan

Pet Insurance Program

MetLife Voluntary Supplemental Insurance (Self and Dependents): Voluntary Disability, Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Disclosures

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; must be able to lift, push, and pull up to 65 lbs., and move about the facility. Candidates should be able to adapt to a traditional business environment. In addition, this position requires a computer, intermittent standing, walking, sitting, squatting, stretching, and bending throughout the workday. Must be able to see, talk and hear, or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

AAP/EEO Statement: MSI Technology, L.L.C. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and prohibits any form of discrimination towards applicants and employees; in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, and other aspects of employment, based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ethnicity, alienage, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, military status, status as a covered veteran or any other protected classification per applicable federal, state and local laws. Religious discrimination includes failing to reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious practices where the accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

At-Will Employment: Employees of the Company are employed on an “At-will” basis. At-will employment means that either the Company or the employee may terminate the employment relationship, with or without cause or prior notice. Other than the President of the Company, and only if and to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a standalone written employment agreement specific to a particular employee and signed by such employee and the President, the relationship is one of voluntary employment that is terminable at will by either the Company or an employee.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Health savings account

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Vision insurance

Schedule:

8 hour shift

Monday to Friday

No nights

No weekends

Education:

Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

Arlington Heights, IL 60004: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person