R&D Material Development Chemist

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Freudenberg-NOK

Date posted: 2026-05-21
Start date: 2026-06-01
Location: 47690 E Anchor Court, Plymouth, Michigan 48170, US
Full/Part time: Full Time

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Responsibilities

  • Design, formulate, and test elastomer and polymer compounds through hands-on work with mixing, molding, and processing equipment.
  • Spend significant time in the lab physically running batches, adjusting formulations, and evaluating material performance in real time.
  • Partner directly with manufacturing teams to troubleshoot molding and mixing issues on the floor, driving scrap reduction and process improvements.
  • Lead multiple material development projects, taking ownership from formulation through production implementation.
  • Apply DOE and practical problem-solving methods to refine compounds and resolve production challenges.
  • Work with suppliers to evaluate new raw materials and bring new technologies into active testing and development.
  • Maintain a safe, organized lab environment and ensure accurate documentation of experiments, results, and development plans.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience in polymer, elastomer, rubber, or materials development (strong internships/co-ops considered).
  • Demonstrated experience working directly with mixing, molding, extrusion, or similar processing equipment—not just theoretical or simulation-based work.
  • Comfortable working in a lab and manufacturing environment, including standing, lifting, and actively running experiments.
  • Experience with formulation and compounding, with an understanding of how materials behave during processing.
  • Familiarity with DOE, Six Sigma, or structured problem-solving approaches.
  • Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate closely with operators, engineers, and technicians.

Salary/Wages

100,000 - 120,000

Full Job Description (PDF)