You will work at the interface of polymer science, materials engineering, and advanced manufacturing to help bridge the gap between material development and manufacturing implementation. As a ...
You will work at the interface of polymer science, materials engineering, and advanced manufacturing to help bridge the gap between material development and manufacturing implementation. As a ...
Design Engineer
Kent, OH · On-site
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
Design Engineer
Kent, OH · On-site
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
Design Engineer
Kent, OH · On-site
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
Design Engineer
Kent, OH · On-site
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
... Polymer/Extrusion pump systems, Screen changer systems, water baths, air-knives etc. utilizing ... College graduate with Mechanical Engineering/Electrical Engineering degree * Training on logic ...
Polymer composites intern
San Jose, CA · On-site
$25 - $32/hr
Graduate students in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or related fields ... Familiarity with polymer formulations, thermoset chemistry, or related R&D project work.
Polymer composites intern
San Jose, CA · On-site
$25 - $32/hr
Graduate students in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or related fields ... Familiarity with polymer formulations, thermoset chemistry, or related R&D project work.
Polymer composites intern
San Jose, CA · On-site
$25 - $32/hr
Graduate students in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or related fields ... Familiarity with polymer formulations, thermoset chemistry, or related R&D project work.
Polymer composites intern
San Jose, CA · On-site
$25 - $32/hr
Graduate students in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or related fields ... Familiarity with polymer formulations, thermoset chemistry, or related R&D project work.
Assistant, Associate, Or Full Professor In Ai & Machine Learning In Polymeric Materials (rise-ai)
Madison, WI · On-site
... graduate teaching, learning, and mentoring. Assistant Professor candidates will have a PhD and at ... Research complementing existing efforts across the College of Engineering in polymer synthesis ...
Assistant, Associate, Or Full Professor In Ai & Machine Learning In Polymeric Materials (rise-ai)
Madison, WI · On-site
... graduate teaching, learning, and mentoring. Assistant Professor candidates will have a PhD and at ... Research complementing existing efforts across the College of Engineering in polymer synthesis ...
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in AI & Machine Learning in Polymeric Materials (RISE-AI)
Madison, WI · On-site
... graduate teaching, learning, and mentoring. Assistant Professor candidates will have a PhD and at ... Research complementing existing efforts across the College of Engineering in polymer synthesis ...
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in AI & Machine Learning in Polymeric Materials (RISE-AI)
Madison, WI · On-site
... graduate teaching, learning, and mentoring. Assistant Professor candidates will have a PhD and at ... Research complementing existing efforts across the College of Engineering in polymer synthesis ...
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in AI & Machine Learning in Polymeric Materials (RISE-AI)
Madison, WI · On-site
... graduate teaching, learning, and mentoring. Assistant Professor candidates will have a PhD and at ... Research complementing existing efforts across the College of Engineering in polymer synthesis ...
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor in AI & Machine Learning in Polymeric Materials (RISE-AI)
Madison, WI · On-site
... graduate teaching, learning, and mentoring. Assistant Professor candidates will have a PhD and at ... Research complementing existing efforts across the College of Engineering in polymer synthesis ...
Process Control Engineer
Pasadena, TX · On-site
This role is ideal for a recent graduate with a degree in Chemical Engineering who is eager to ... Internship, co-op, or academic project experience in polymer or chemical manufacturing
Process Control Engineer
Pasadena, TX · On-site
This role is ideal for a recent graduate with a degree in Chemical Engineering who is eager to ... Internship, co-op, or academic project experience in polymer or chemical manufacturing
... Polymer Science and Engineering Position Type Staff Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded Yes ... Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate researchers, support laboratory operations, and ensure ...
... Polymer Science and Engineering Position Type Staff Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded Yes ... Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate researchers, support laboratory operations, and ensure ...
... Polymer Science and Engineering Position Type Staff Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded Yes ... Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate researchers, support laboratory operations, and ensure ...
... Polymer Science and Engineering Position Type Staff Employment Status Full Time Grant Funded Yes ... Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate researchers, support laboratory operations, and ensure ...
Mechanical Engineer
University Park, PA · On-site
$86K - $164K/yr
... our Polymer Composite Manufacturing (PCM) team in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn ... Mentor junior employees, interns, or graduate students Required skills/knowledge areas include:
Mechanical Engineer
University Park, PA · On-site
$86K - $164K/yr
... our Polymer Composite Manufacturing (PCM) team in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn ... Mentor junior employees, interns, or graduate students Required skills/knowledge areas include:
$86K - $164K/yr
... our Polymer Composite Manufacturing (PCM) team in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn ... Mentor junior employees, interns, or graduate students Required skills/knowledge areas include:
$86K - $164K/yr
... our Polymer Composite Manufacturing (PCM) team in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn ... Mentor junior employees, interns, or graduate students Required skills/knowledge areas include:
Senior Engineer, Product Development
Northlake, IL · On-site
$95K - $110K/yr
Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Polymer Engineering, or Materials Science from an accredited four-year college or university. Graduate degree preferred. * Minimum of three years ...
Senior Engineer, Product Development
Northlake, IL · On-site
$95K - $110K/yr
Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Polymer Engineering, or Materials Science from an accredited four-year college or university. Graduate degree preferred. * Minimum of three years ...
Senior Engineer, Product Development
Northlake, IL · Hybrid
$95K - $110K/yr
Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Polymer Engineering, or Materials Science from an accredited four-year college or university. Graduate degree preferred. * Minimum of three years ...
Senior Engineer, Product Development
Northlake, IL · Hybrid
$95K - $110K/yr
Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Polymer Engineering, or Materials Science from an accredited four-year college or university. Graduate degree preferred. * Minimum of three years ...
... Polymer Science and Engineering. This positionintegrates fundamental polymer materials research ... Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate researchers, support laboratory operations, and ensure ...
... Polymer Science and Engineering. This positionintegrates fundamental polymer materials research ... Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate researchers, support laboratory operations, and ensure ...
Research Scientist III
Rapid City, SD · On-site
$54K/yr
... polymer chemistry, surface science, sensor technologies, environmental engineering, with Omics ... Mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students and participation in traineeship programs
Research Scientist III
Rapid City, SD · On-site
$54K/yr
... polymer chemistry, surface science, sensor technologies, environmental engineering, with Omics ... Mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students and participation in traineeship programs
Graduate Polymer Engineer information
See salary details
$50.5K - $60K
8% of jobs
$60K - $69.5K
16% of jobs
$69.7K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$69.5K - $79K
36% of jobs
$85.4K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$79K - $88.5K
22% of jobs
$88.5K - $98K
0% of jobs
$98K - $107.5K
0% of jobs
$107.5K - $117K
1% of jobs
$117K - $126.5K
4% of jobs
$126.5K - $136K
4% of jobs
$136K - $145.5K
4% of jobs
$145.5K - $155K
4% of jobs
$50.5K
$89.3K
$155K
How much do graduate polymer engineer jobs pay per year?
What are typical daily responsibilities for a Graduate Polymer Engineer?
Graduate Polymer Engineers often spend their days conducting materials testing, analyzing data to improve polymer properties, and supporting the development or optimization of manufacturing processes. They may collaborate closely with senior engineers, quality assurance teams, and production staff to troubleshoot product issues and implement improvements. Drafting technical reports, documenting findings, and assisting in research and development projects are also common tasks. This hands-on, collaborative environment offers exposure to diverse challenges and is well-suited for recent graduates eager to learn and grow in the field.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Graduate Polymer Engineer position, and why are they important?
To thrive as a Graduate Polymer Engineer, you need a solid understanding of polymer science, materials engineering, and laboratory techniques, usually supported by a relevant engineering or materials science degree. Familiarity with analytical tools such as spectroscopy, rheology equipment, and CAD software—as well as knowledge of quality management systems—are important assets. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, effective communication, and teamwork are key soft skills for excelling in this field. These capabilities are crucial for developing innovative polymer solutions, ensuring product quality, and collaborating efficiently with multidisciplinary teams.
What is a Graduate Polymer Engineer job?
A Graduate Polymer Engineer is an entry-level role for recent graduates specializing in polymer science or engineering. They assist in the development, testing, and optimization of polymer materials for various applications, such as plastics, composites, and coatings. Responsibilities may include research, material analysis, process optimization, and quality control. This role provides hands-on experience in manufacturing, product development, and industry regulations. It serves as a foundation for career growth in industries like automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and consumer goods.

2026 PhD Graduate - Postdoctoral Researcher - Printable Polymers
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics LaboratoryLaurel, MD • On-site
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO
Posted 8 days ago
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating
9.9
Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
1st of 56 rated research
Job description
Are you interested in developing polymer materials that can be reliably processed into functional components to solve our nation's hardest challenges?
Are you motivated to translate bio-derived or recycled polymers into scalable, high-performance manufacturing solutions?
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in Sustainable Printable Polymers to develop next-generation polymer feedstocks and processing strategies for additive manufacturing and replacement of legacy, supply chain constrained materials. This role focuses on converting bio-derived and recycled polymers into printable materials and structural, adhesive, and thermal components, while leveraging design strategies that improve performance for national security applications. You will work at the interface of polymer science, materials engineering, and advanced manufacturing to help bridge the gap between material development and manufacturing implementation.
As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will...
- Develop and optimize bio-manufactured polymer feedstock formulations for 3D printing.
- Formulate and refine thermoplastic and composite polymers for extrusion-based additive manufacturing for engineering applications.
- Tailor rheological and thermal properties to ensure consistent printability and dimensional stability.
- Design and execute processing workflows to produce repeatable, high-quality feedstocks from varied starting material
- Create and characterize multifunctional polymer composites, including replacement of legacy or supply-constrained materials.
- Develop polymer composites with targeted properties using fillers, reinforcements, or bio-derived constituents.
- Identify and demonstrate alternatives to legacy or supply-limited materials, balancing performance and manufacturability.
- Develop novel design strategies for maximizing material and component performance.
- Design material architectures and print strategies to enhance performance beyond bulk material limits.
- Explore process-structure-property relationship, linking additive manufacturing parameters with material behavior to optimize part performance.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications if you...
- Have a PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Have experience in polymer materials, including formulation, processing, or characterization.
- Have familiarity with additive manufacturing techniques, particularly extrusion-based methods.
- Have experience with bio-derived polymers, sustainable materials, or recycled feedstocks
- Are able to obtain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
You'll go above and beyond if you...
- Have developed custom printing approaches informed by engineering requirements
- Have experience with polymer binders, energetic materials, or materials for austere and distributed manufacturing environments.
- Have experience translating materials from lab-scale development to manufacturing processes.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,300 Annually
Maximum Rate
$155,500 Annually
About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Manufacturing
Company size
5,001 - 10,000 Employees
Headquarters location
Laurel, MA, US