Research and Development Engineer

SEKISUI Voltek, a leading manufacturer of closed-cell, physically cross-linked polyolefin foam known as Volara®, provides innovative solutions for a variety of industries. Our commitment to quality and excellence drives us to create products that meet the highest standards and exceed our customers’ expectations.

We are seeking a proactive and innovative Research & Development Engineer to join our dynamic and collaborative team. In this role, you will be responsible for researching and developing new products and processes using emerging raw materials and manufacturing techniques. The ideal candidate will lead long-term development projects, perform hands-on lab work, and translate concepts into scalable solutions that meet customer and performance requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and recommend new product or process development opportunities based on market trends, customer needs, and material innovations.
• Lead and manage R&D projects, typically longer than 12 months, from concept through production scale-up.
• Design and execute laboratory testing protocols; analyze data and determine next steps.
• Evaluate new raw materials and processing techniques using lab-scale and pilot equipment.
• Develop technical documentation and project reports to support decision-making and knowledge sharing.
• Coordinate and monitor production-scale trials to validate performance against technical targets.
• Collaborate with suppliers and customers to align R&D efforts with business needs and application requirements.
• Present findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, preferably Chemical or Plastics.
• Hands-on experience with lab and pilot-scale testing and data analysis.
• Prior experience in polymer extrusion operations and related equipment is a plus.
• Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to write clear reports, present findings, and engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on producing accurate experimental data, documentation, and recommendations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple development projects with varying timelines and collaborate across departments in both structured and exploratory research settings.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% of the time.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package, including low premium cost for BCBS medical, free dental and vision insurance, tuition reimbursement, retention bonus and 401K company match.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• A collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• The chance to be part of a company that values innovation and sustainability.

Equal Opportunity Employer: SEKISUI Voltek is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.