Staff Engineer - Polymers

Staff Engineer - Polymers

Job

Overview

Location :

United States, Mason, Michigan

1. Job skills Engineering and Project Management

2. Type Permanent

Job id 168468

Salary $ 194000 - $ 194000

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Ashley Powers

I manage this role

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Our client, a leading manufacturer of disposable food packaging products, is seeking a Staff Engineer to join their team.

As the Staff Engineer, you'll play a critical technical leadership role advancing polypropylene (PP) and related polymers that redefine performance, sustainability, and manufacturability in food and beverage packaging.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact role for a seasoned polymer expert who thrives at the intersection of materials science, manufacturing, and business outcomes. You'll own innovation from raw material selection and structure-property-function relationships through processing, manufacturing, and end-use performance, with a strong focus on in-line thermoforming (post-trim and trim-in-place) and injection molding. Your influence will extend across cup, lid, and container platforms spanning PP, PET, and polystyrene, while collaborating on hybrid solutions involving paper substrates and molded fiber.

Location: Mason, MI or Randleman, NC

*If you are unable to be based at one of our facility locations (Mason, MI | Randleman NC), this position is available as a remote role. Please note that remote work requires 60-70% travel to our facilities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert leadership in polypropylene and polymer materials science and manufacturing, driving processing optimization (property structure function) and superior packaging performance.

• Lead optimization efforts of materials for in-line thermoforming and injection molding while supporting other key manufacturing technologies for cups, lids, and containers across PP and adjacent polymers.

• Analyze complex multi-plant production data, translate insights into decisive recommendations, and own implementation from concept to verified commercial outcomes.

• Mentor and elevate colleagues in other functions in polymer characterization (rheology, mechanical testing, thermal analysis, and related methods).

• Develop and maintain strong cross-functional partnerships with innovation, operations, manufacturing, and specialists in paper substrates and molded fiber to accelerate integrated solutions.

• Track competitive landscapes, industry trends, and emerging material innovations; convert foresight into strategic opportunities that position the company for future success.

• Apply disciplined organizational and project management expertise to shepherd high-priority initiatives from ideation through commercialization quickly.

Qualifications

• Requires one of the following:

• Master's degree with an emphasis in Engineering in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field

• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in Engineering in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field

• 10+ years of industrial experience with polypropylene in food and beverage packaging applications or related engineering experience

• Hands-on expertise and demonstrated success in in-line thermoforming (post-trim and trim-in-place) and injection molding for PP + other polymeric materials, plus working knowledge of other cup, lid, and container processes.

• Proven track record in polymer characterization, property structure function driven outcomes, multi-site data analysis, and mentoring technical professionals.

• Demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration, project leadership, and end-to-end ownership of impactful results.

• Solid understanding of competitive dynamics and emerging trends in polymers, paper substrates, and molded fiber packaging.

• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications

• Advanced knowledge of materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of products

• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

• Ability to successfully prioritize, and organize long-term, complex research and development projects, deadlines, and tasks in both team and independent environments

• Excellent verbal and written skills necessary to communicate intricate job-related information and clearly explain options and solutions to internal and external customers

• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, additional travel may be required during critical projects or business demands

• Work is split between an office environment, lab environment or production facility depending on the project

• Experience using Microsoft Office, including the ability to create reports, documents, presentations and spreadsheets in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of new sustainable chemistries and processes, including recyclability, EPR regulations and bio-based materials.

• Demonstrated innovation through patents, publications, or commercialized products.

TRS Staffing Solutions are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome you to provide OFCCP data voluntarily here (

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; age; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; religion; national origin; disability; veteran status; genetic information; or any other criteria protected by governing law.