Senior Customer Engineer

Syensqo is all about chemistry. We're not just referring to chemical reactions here, but also to the magic that occurs when the brightest minds get to work together. This is where our true strength lies. In you. In your future colleagues and in all your differences. And of course, in your ideas to improve lives while preserving our planet's beauty for the generations to come.

We are looking for:

• Field Technical Service Engineers provide the core engineering competency and execution within the department and serve as the front-end technical interface with customers across existing markets and the full breadth of Syensqo's portfolio. Customer interaction and technology development are at the heart of Field Technical Services, working within project frameworks and relying on strong cross-functional skills. As part of the Commercial function of the Syensqo business, Field Technical Services is at the front line of ensuring our customers' and our business' success.
• The team supports and collaborates with customers across the full technology maturity cycle, from initial concept development through industrialization and in-service support ("cradle to grave"), ensuring world-class technical support while driving growth for the Composite Materials Business Unit. Customer Engineering also plays a critical role in identifying and translating unmet customer and market needs into clear product requirements and associated value propositions.
• This pathway offers progression from entry-level/early-career engineers through to mature, key-contributor roles. Across all levels, high standards of professional integrity, technical expertise, customer focus, and project management are developed and refined. Responsibilities and expectations evolve as engineers progress through levels, with increasing autonomy, ownership, and accountability, and a growing emphasis on coaching and mentoring junior team members.

We count on you to:

• Interact with customers, the supply chain, academia, and authorities, establishing positive and productive relationships at multiple levels.
• Lead and/or contribute to customer technical activities and projects across key markets (e.g., aerospace and automotive), as appropriate to level.
• Solve problems in the composite part build process.
• Develop composite test plans to meet customer vehicle and application requirements.
• Provide assessment of customer issues and opportunities to ensure suitable and appropriate solutions are available.
• Develop and drive deep technical understanding of Syensqo's portfolio of materials and the technologies that support them at our customers and within the application space/market.
• Design, develop, and improve composite manufacturing processes to support customer needs; develop processing technologies aligned to unmet needs.
• Support customers and address challenges they face regarding the use of Syensqo products.
• Work with a structured approach to project management; take accountability for sub-elements through to entire projects (including planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting).
• Develop strong cross-functional relationships within the business to drive progress.
• Identify and progress relevant collaborative opportunities internally and externally.
• Identify and propose intellectual property (IP) opportunities; take a collaborative approach to understanding relevant process know-how and industry IP.
• Support activities relating to composite design and provide expertise on practical considerations of design for manufacture.
• Support generation of cost models and trade studies to predict and communicate value propositions for new materials and processes (as required by role/level).
• Collect and interpret data and generate technical reports-either directly or through supporting junior staff.
• Communicate progress through meaningful discussions and presentations; formal technical reporting is expected.
• Demonstrate the technical excellence of Syensqo in front of customers.
• Spend time with customers, suppliers, and in the wider marketplace; travel within North America and occasionally further afield may be required.

You will bring:

• Minimum Education & Experience:
• Bachelors degree in one or more of the following areas (or closely related disciplines):
• Aeronautical, Mechanical, or Materials Engineering/Science
• Physics, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering
• 5+ years of experience in the composites or end-use industry, preferably with exposure to Material & Process, Design, or Manufacturing Engineering
• Advanced degree in one or more of the following areas (or closely related disciplines):
• Aeronautical, Mechanical, or Materials Engineering/Science
• Physics, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering
• 10+ years of experience in the composites or end-use industry, preferably with exposure to Material & Process, Design, or Manufacturing Engineering
• Broad appreciation of composite material and process technologies

Behavioral Requirements & Key Skills:

Minimum Requirements:

• Highest standards of safety and quality values.
• Excellent standards of professionalism and ethics.
• Strong customer focus and demonstrated attention to customer needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively using various media at all levels; outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to deliver results as both a team member and a team leader.
• Structured working and adherence to good project management practices.
• Ability to work directly with leading OEMs and Tier 1 customers.
• Strong analytical approach and structured ways of working (e.g., documentation of work).
• Understanding of technical data and drawings.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and a mindset that fosters innovation.
• Ability to handle complex situations and changing demand autonomously, sometimes under pressure with dynamic objectives and tight deadlines.
• Ability to influence at different levels within the organization to achieve positive outcomes.
• Enthusiasm for developing strong working relationships.
• Appropriate working knowledge of basic financial/commercial terminology.
• Knowledge of quality control methodologies and standards.
• Deep appreciation of health, environmental, and safety best practices, processes, and/or regulations.
• Proficiency in business English.

Preferred Requirements:

• Deep understanding of material property-structure relationships and their influence on design and manufacturing.
• Application engineering expertise in composite materials; strong capability in process development techniques.
• Ability to work with internal/external resources to identify optimal composite processing techniques for manufacturing processes.
• Ability to juggle multiple (sometimes conflicting) priorities; strong judgment to separate urgent vs. important.
• Business and organizational acumen, including alignment of incentives.
• Understanding of how to recruit, develop, and retain employees (more relevant for senior levels).
• Strong working knowledge of Syensqo's organization, products, people, and culture (or ability to develop it quickly).

You will get:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• The U.S. base salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this position is $112,000-$159,600 per year. Since actual compensation packages are based on a variety of factors unique to each candidate we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted base salary range. Total compensation for this role also includes bonus and/or other incentives.
• 16, or more weeks, of maternity/paternity and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations
• Training platform for all employees
• Free well-being sessions (physical and psychological)

Additonal Information:

• This position is targeted to help fill the need for support in the Southern California area.
• The preferred location would be in the proximity of the Anaheim manufacturing location but it should not be limited to that particular location.
• Travel: 25% of the time.

About us

• Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.
• At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.
• Syensqo is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.