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Contract Polymer Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hexcel Corporation

R&D Polymer Chemist

Amesbury, MA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Qualifications * BS/MS/PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or ... S. federal government contracts that require the employment of only persons who are U.S. citizens.

Hexcel Corporation

R&D Polymer Chemist

Amesbury, MA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Qualifications * BS/MS/PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or ... S. federal government contracts that require the employment of only persons who are U.S. citizens.

Hexcel Corporation

R&D Polymer Chemist

Amesbury, MA

$120K - $160K/yr

Qualifications * BS/MS/PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or ... S. federal government contracts that require the employment of only persons who are U.S. citizens.

Adecco

Polymer Development Chemist

Sunnyvale, CA

$40/hr

Temporary (minimum 1-year temp/contract role) Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm Pay Range ... Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, quality, and R&D teams to successfully transfer new ...

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Contract Polymer Engineer information

See salary details

$50.5K

$89.3K

$155K

How much do contract polymer engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract polymer engineer in the United States is $89,329.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Contract Polymer Engineer do?

A Contract Polymer Engineer is a specialist who works on a temporary or project basis to develop, test, and improve polymer materials and products. They may assist companies with designing new plastics, composites, or synthetic materials to meet specific performance requirements. Their work often involves material selection, formulation, process optimization, and troubleshooting within manufacturing settings. Contract Polymer Engineers typically collaborate with R&D teams, ensure compliance with industry standards, and may provide technical documentation or training. Their expertise helps companies innovate or solve material-related challenges without the need for a full-time hire.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Polymer Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Polymer Engineer, you need a solid background in polymer science, materials engineering, and problem-solving, typically supported by a degree in chemical or materials engineering. Familiarity with analytical tools like FTIR, DSC, TGA, and CAD software, along with knowledge of industry standards and possibly Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification, is often required. Strong project management, effective communication, and adaptability are important soft skills for collaborating with clients and cross-functional teams. These competencies ensure effective development, testing, and optimization of polymer products to meet specific project requirements and client expectations.

What are some common challenges faced by Contract Polymer Engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Contract Polymer Engineers often encounter challenges such as rapidly adapting to new projects or industries, aligning with diverse client expectations, and managing tight project timelines. Success in this role typically depends on strong communication skills, quickly familiarizing oneself with client-specific materials and processes, and maintaining up-to-date technical knowledge. Building effective relationships with both client teams and in-house colleagues can help facilitate smooth project integration and successful outcomes.
More about Contract Polymer Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Polymer Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Polymer Engineer job openings:
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Contract Polymer Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Polymer Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 62% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,329 per year, or $42.9 per hour.

Polymer Scientist - Electrospinning & Advanced Materials Applications

Iris Scientific Inc.

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Polymer Scientist - Electrospinning & Advanced Materials Applications
Location: Phoenix, AZ - Onsite laboratory role; ~20-30% North American travel
Compensation: $90,000 - $110,000 base salary + performance bonus
Relocation: Relocation support available
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, 401K, Life Insurance
Contact: Andrew Millar | andrew.millar@irisscientific.com | 647-205-7151
Iris Scientific is a specialty recruitment agency focused exclusively on technical and commercial roles within the North American scientific instrumentation and advanced materials market.
We're partnering with a Phoenix-based advanced materials and contract analytical laboratory to hire a PhD-level Polymer Scientist with deep, hands-on electrospinning expertise. The lab develops electrospun and electrosprayed polymer systems for medical device and regulated-materials applications - drug delivery, wound care, device coatings, fibrous scaffolds, membranes - for clients ranging from the world's largest medical device companies to early-stage startups.
What This Role Is
You will be the lab's internal subject-matter expert on electrospinning and electrospraying, leading client-facing contract development projects from scope definition through final reporting. It's a hands-on bench role with real commercial visibility - applied science, not academic research, and not a translational, regulatory, or product-management track.
A small, tight-knit team (7 people) means high autonomy, fast-moving priorities, and a genuine mix of laboratory execution and direct customer engagement.
Core Responsibilities
Contract research & project leadership
  • Lead electrospinning/electrospraying projects for industrial and research clients
  • Define project scope with customers and design structured, factorial experimental plans
  • Conduct hands-on experimentation, process development, and troubleshooting across diverse polymer systems
  • Develop and document SOPs; maintain quality-system and documentation discipline
  • Communicate outcomes through clear written and oral technical reports
  • Mentor junior team members in experimental design and best practices

Applications & technical support
  • Support advanced electrospinning instrumentation; run demos, installations, and user training
  • Provide pre- and post-sales technical support, proof-of-concept testing, and remote/onsite troubleshooting
  • Represent the lab at workshops, trade shows, and technical roadshows across North America

Qualifications
Required
  • PhD in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline (this is a polymer/materials-science role rather than a chemical-engineering one)
  • Deep, independent, hands-on electrospinning and/or electrospraying experience - you have personally developed, built, or substantially owned and troubleshooted the process, not only operated an established group system
  • Demonstrated breadth across multiple polymer systems - not a single-polymer specialist
  • Strong experimental-design discipline (structured/factorial, not purely exploratory)
  • Proven ability to manage technical projects independently and meet client timelines
  • Excellent written and verbal technical communication
  • Willingness to travel ~20-30%

Attributes that matter here
  • Strong interpersonal skills and team fit - this is a collaborative, customer-facing, rules-driven environment; the team works closely together and to client specifications. This is weighted as heavily as technical skill.
  • Ownership and accountability - comfortable being questioned on your work, and able to say "I don't know" without defensiveness
  • Genuine curiosity across a wide range of materials and applications
  • Comfort working in environmentally sensitive electrospinning systems (humidity, solvent, charge effects)
  • Process-oriented, quality-minded, and organized in documentation

Recent PhDs with strong electrospinning depth are encouraged to apply. Industry, internship, or PI-collaboration-with-industry experience is an advantage but not required.
Team & Environment
  • 7-person analytical team; individual contributor with technical-leadership influence
  • High-autonomy, startup-paced environment within an established 20-year company

Other Requirements
  • Onsite in Phoenix, AZ - must be located there or willing to relocate
  • US work authorization is required; visa sponsorship is not available

Apply