Process/chemical Engineer

Job Title: Process / Chemical Engineer - Rubber Mixing Department

Job Description

This role leads process engineering and chemical formulation activities within the rubber Mixing Department, with a strong focus on reducing process variability, optimizing equipment performance, and resolving production issues. The engineer collaborates closely with technical, production, and commercial teams to develop, implement, and refine rubber formulations and mixing processes that meet customer specifications, support cost and scrap reduction, and align with ISO 9001 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own and optimize process parameters and equipment implementation in the rubber Mixing Department to reduce variability and improve consistency.
• Work closely with senior compounders, chemists, and technology leadership to create, modify, and approve rubber formulations for production.
• Collaborate with the technical department, mixing operations, sales, customer service, and customers to implement new technologies and formulations that meet specific application needs.
• Ensure adherence to ISO 9001 by developing, maintaining, and updating work instructions and related process documentation.
• Provide technical service to production by instructing operators and creating clear documentation on mixing processes, cure cycles, temperatures, and other process requirements.
• Create graphs and perform detailed data analysis of production parameters to identify trends, correlations, and improvement opportunities.
• Use enterprise software (QAD) and equipment software extensively to extract data, develop process relationships, and set up formulations and recipes for production.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers and suppliers to support technical discussions, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical service to customers by evaluating their product needs and recommending appropriate compounds and processes.
• Adjust formulations for scorch consistency through formulation changes, mixing cycle modifications, or by running SPC and adjusting control gates based on statistical results.
• Utilize work-away stock effectively by understanding existing stock and incorporating it into formulations where appropriate.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Polymer Science.
• 5+ years of experience in rubber mixing, molding, injection, and transfer/compression processes.
• Strong rubber formulating experience, including development and modification of rubber compound recipes.
• Thorough understanding of ISO 9001 and its application to process documentation and quality systems.
• Knowledge of various polymers and their behavior in rubber compounding applications.
• Hands-on experience with Banbury mixing, molding, extrusion (hot and cold feed), and curing processes such as salt, microwave, or autoclave.
• Knowledge of ingredients used in rubber formulations, including cure systems, reinforcing agents, plasticizers, fillers, antioxidants, and activators.
• Ability to create and interpret graphs and perform data analysis on production parameters.
• Proficiency working with enterprise software such as QAD and equipment software for data extraction, analysis, and formulation setup.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for production equipment and processes in a rubber mixing environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with production, technical, sales, customer service, and customer teams.
• Ability to instruct operators and create clear, practical documentation for mixing processes, cure cycles, and process requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field such as Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Polymer Science.
• Experience with SPC (Statistical Process Control) and 8-D problem-solving methods.
• Manufacturing engineering or process engineering within rubber or polymer industries.
• Experience working in environments that specialize in elastomeric rubber compounds for applications such as automotive, industrial manufacturing, and hose and belt production.
• Familiarity with internal mixers, mills, batch-off cooling equipment, feeding systems, and ancillary equipment used in rubber compounding.
• Comfort working in a growing organization that is investing in new equipment and expanding capacity.
• Ability to balance hands-on floor work with analytical and documentation tasks at a desk.

Work Environment

The role is based in a large, well-established industrial warehouse environment focused on manufacturing elastomeric rubber compounds for a variety of industries, including automotive, industrial manufacturing, and electrical distribution. The facility operates production-scale internal mixers, mills, batch-off cooling equipment, feeding systems, and ancillary equipment, as well as a mix of older and newer machines, including multiple injection molding machines with additional units being added. The position involves roughly 50% time on the production floor and in the lab, and 50% at a desk performing analysis, documentation, and coordination. The company is actively investing in new equipment and has experienced significant growth over the past several years, offering exposure to both established processes and modern technologies in a dynamic manufacturing setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Chardon, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $110000.00/yr.

401K match, medial, vision, dental

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chardon,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.