Entry Level Chemical Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

STAR SHIELD SOLUTIONS is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Design Engineer - Automotive Protective Film Systems (Entry Level) to join our automotive product development team in Southern California. This role will focus on the design, development, testing, and validation of automotive protective film solutions including paint protection film (PPF), clear films, surface protection materials, and related adhesive-backed film systems for OEM automotive customers such as Toyota, General Motors, and other leading automotive manufacturers.

The ideal candidate will have an engineering background with strong interest or experience in automotive applications, materials engineering, product design, and manufacturing processes. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work directly with cross-functional teams to develop innovative film-based products that meet OEM performance, durability, and quality standards. The position will also support operations and sales teams by assisting with project pricing and developing bills of materials (BOMs) for customer programs and production projects.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Exposure to leading automotive OEM development programs

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic.

• Assist in the design and development of automotive protective film products including:
  • Paint protection films (PPF)
  • Clear protective films
  • Surface protection materials
  • Adhesive-backed film systems
  • Interior and exterior automotive protection solutions
• Support OEM product development programs for automotive customers including Toyota, General Motors, and other Tier 1 or OEM partners.
• Create and maintain CAD drawings, design documentation, product specifications, and engineering change records.
• Participate in prototype development, material evaluations, testing, and validation activities.
• Conduct root cause analysis and support continuous improvement initiatives related to product performance and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with product management, manufacturing, quality, sales, and supplier teams to support new product launches.
• Assist operations and sales teams with project pricing, cost analysis, and development of bills of materials (BOMs) for customer and production projects.
• Assist with laboratory testing including:
  • Adhesion testing
  • Environmental/weathering evaluations
  • Optical clarity measurements
  • Durability and abrasion testing
  • Automotive qualification testing
• Support DFMEA, PFMEA, APQP, PPAP, and other automotive quality and development processes.
• Analyze test data and prepare technical reports and presentations for internal teams and OEM customers.
• Participate in customer meetings, technical reviews, and product validation activities.
• Ensure designs meet automotive regulatory, quality, and performance standards.

• Bachelor's degree in:
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Or related engineering discipline
• 0-3 years of engineering experience (internships or co-op experience in automotive or materials industries preferred)
• Basic understanding of automotive systems, materials, and manufacturing processes
• Familiarity with polymer materials, films, adhesives, laminates, coatings, or surface protection technologies preferred
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative product development environment
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or project experience within automotive OEM, Tier 1 supplier, or materials manufacturing environments
• Exposure to automotive development standards and processes
• Understanding of film converting, extrusion, lamination, coating, or die-cutting processes
• Experience with prototype development and laboratory testing
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies

Technical & IT Skills

Candidates should possess experience or working knowledge in the following areas:

Engineering Software

• SolidWorks
• AutoCAD
• CATIA (preferred)
• Autodesk Inventor (plus)

Data & Analysis Tools

• Microsoft Excel (advanced preferred)
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Minitab or statistical analysis software
• Data collection and reporting tools

Product Development & PLM Systems

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems
• Engineering Change Management processes
• BOM management systems

Automotive & Manufacturing Knowledge

• APQP
• PPAP
• DFMEA/PFMEA
• GD&T fundamentals
• ISO/IATF quality systems
• Basic understanding of OEM validation standards

Desired Characteristics

• Passion for automotive innovation and product development
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Self-motivated and eager to learn
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Team-oriented mindset with strong interpersonal skills
• Interest in advanced materials and protective technologies