Technical Specialist, Coverstock

The Role:

• Be a significant contributor to a world-class organization by supporting the organization with coverstock expertise, and owning all aspects related to coverstock materials, application, and processing from concept phase to product launch. 
• The role is situated in the Polymer Technology team that closely collaborates with design engineers and suppliers throughout the product development process (optimizing part function, efficiency, and cost). It reports directly to the Team Lead, and owns all material attributes related to coverstock materials and processing. Day-to-day work involves cross-functional interaction with groups across the organization (e.g. design engineers, design studio, supply chain, industrialization, quality, legal), and external vendors (material/coverstock suppliers, part/system suppliers). 
• Lead coverstock development and implementation, covering material specification, vetting/selection/qualification, design optimization, testing, as well as DFM and process improvements. 
• Utilize understanding of materials (polymers, coverstocks), along with processing experience for technical guidance and education of the organization, problem solving, and holistic decision-making processes. 
• Write and maintain standardization documents for coverstock materials and processes requirements.

Qualifications:

• B.S.in polymer engineering, textile engineering, material science or related field
• 8+ years’ experience, supporting multiple systems across the vehicle in aspects of coverstock materials, engineering design, tooling, process and testing. Experience of responsibility leading material selection and shaping material/design/process/tooling strategy
• Must have worked in automotive development environment through complete product development process from concept to launch
• Good knowledge of coverstock materials (coated rolled goods (e.g. PUR, PVC, TPO), woven textiles, non-wovens (e.g. needle felts))
• Proven experience developing new coverstock construction specific to automotive seating and trim applications
• Familiar with flat stock requirements (incl their relation to component/system requirements), and part design rules for function, manufacturing, and cost optimization
• Hands-on experience with secondary processes (e.g. lamination, wrapping, glueing/welding, back-injection) 
• Confidence selecting material characterization standards to compile test programs for material qualification/validation and principal testing
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills
• Able to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% if needed 

Advantageous:

• M.S. or PhD in relevant field 
• Experience developing and implementing new test methods and material characterization.