Sr. Compound Engineer

Senior Compound Engineer

Location: Akron, OH
Full-Time | Industry: Automotive Manufacturing
Experience Level: Mid-Senior (7+ Years)
Compensation: $101,000 $160,000
Relocation Assistance Provided | No Visa Sponsorship

About the Role

An automotive industry leader is seeking a Senior Compound Engineer with deep experience in OEM tire compound development. In this high-impact role, youll lead the development and optimization of tire compounds, collaborating with R&D, plant engineering, and global teams to meet rigorous customer performance standards for both OEM and replacement markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize new tire compounds to achieve customer-specific performance targets.

• Maintain and enhance performance of existing compound formulations.

• Design and conduct lab studies to evaluate new material technologies and support continuous innovation.

• Perform forensic analyses on new and in-use products to diagnose performance or durability issues.

• Collaborate with OEM project teams to align compound selection with design and performance objectives.

• Support plant-scale trials and manufacturing process studies, including mixing, extrusion, calendaring, and curing.

• Stay ahead of regulatory compliance, sustainability requirements, and material sourcing developments.

• Communicate findings and data with global R&D teams and contribute to strategic innovation efforts.

Must-Have Qualifications

• 515 years of compound development experience at an advanced tire manufacturer or OE supplier.

• Proven experience with OEM tire development and familiarity with OEM validation cycles.

• BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry.

• In-depth understanding of compounding science including polymers, fillers, and reinforcements.

• Direct exposure to plant operations including compound mixing, processing, and production support.

• Comfortable working with cross-functional and international teams.

• Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills.

• Must be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally (passport required).

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Knowledge of DOE/statistical methods for formulation and material testing.

• Awareness of global regulatory trends in tire materials and sustainability.

• Familiarity with Lean, Quality, and On-Time Delivery principles.

This is a career-defining opportunity for a technical expert looking to make a global impact in the next generation of tire technology.