Title:                            Materials Engineer

Reports To:                 VP of Operations  

TRG is a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative plastic sheet materials, serving the awards, recognition, and signage markets. Headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, our products are distributed in over 85 countries worldwide. We are committed to excellence, customer satisfaction, and the professional growth of our employees.

As a Materials Engineer, you are responsible for optimizing, maintaining, and improving extrusion processes through new understanding of new resin types, processing aids, flowrate, melting point… to ensure high-quality production of ABS, Acrylic or other plastic types. This role focuses on improving driving process efficiency, reducing waste, improving quality, and ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards. The Materials Engineer will collaborate with production, quality, and maintenance teams to troubleshoot and solve issues while ensuring consistent product quality and performance.

Additional Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Materials Development

• Evaluate and select appropriate plastic materials based on product requirements (e.g., strength, flexibility, thermal stability, cost).
• Develop and test new plastic formulations (ABS, Acrylic…) or blends to achieve desired performance characteristics.
• Work with suppliers to source and qualify raw materials.
• Collaborate closely with production to schedule R&D trials for developing new products, evaluating new materials or product quality improvements

Sales/Customer Service Support

• Support all plastic sheet products within the business development sales channel as well as external events and partnerships.
• Work closely with sales and with customers on RFQ process
• Support production of new products, new product development opportunities, quality support, and customer interface.

Troubleshooting & Problem Solving:

Identify, diagnose, and resolve issues in the extrusion process, including machine setup, material flow, die performance, and other process parameters.

Collaborate with the maintenance team to ensure machinery operates at optimal efficiency.

Quality Control:

Ensure extrusion processes meet the company's quality standards and comply with industry regulations.

Implement process controls to reduce defects and rework.

Work closely with the quality team to address any product quality concerns.

Validating product quality.

Process Documentation & Reporting:

Create and maintain accurate process documentation, including machine settings, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and control charts.

Analyze process data to identify trends and implement corrective actions.

Continuous Improvement:

Participate in continuous improvement initiatives such as lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other quality improvement methods to drive operational excellence.

Lead process improvement projects to reduce costs and improve productivity.

Design, set-up, and troubleshoot new equipment and procedures.

Learn the thermoform process to better understand how our product reacts to temperature and the forming process.

Qualifications:  

• B.S. Degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or related field preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in extrusion manufacturing plastics or related materials preferred
• Strong understanding of the chemistry behind the materials, extrusion processes, and equipment
• Proven problem-solving skills with hands-on experience in troubleshooting extrusion issues.
• Excellent communication skills, able to build rapport and work in cross-functional teams.
• Proficient in data analysis and use of statistical process control (SPC) tools.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Experience with polymer chemistry or material science.
• Familiarity with process control, lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Project management experience

Physical Requirements:  

• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment, including standing for extended periods and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Willingness to work flexible hours to support production schedules.

How to Apply:

Email resume and salary requirements to careers@rowmark.com.