Polymer Assistant Jobs in Ridgefield, CT (NOW HIRING)

About the Company

If you’re passionate about future-focused innovation and joining a team where your ideas are valued and your skills are honed, we invite you to join Ultrafabrics as we reshape the world of high-tech performance fabrics. At Ultrafabrics, we combine high-performance, comfort, and sustainability to support the visions of leading designers and manufacturers in over 10 global industries.

About the Role

Experienced product engineer supporting the development and technical validation of polyurethane (PUR) textile products for furniture, hospitality, A&D, healthcare, RV, marine, aviation, and other specialized markets. As part of the UFI Engineering team, the Senior Product Engineer works with Product Development, Quality, Sales, R&D, and partner-mill technical teams to provide engineering input during new product development and resolve technical issues with mills in Japan, Mexico, and other locations.

Responsibilities

• Understand key market and customer technical requirements for synthetic leather materials.
• Participate in industry associations, including ACT, AATCC, and BIFMA, to stay current on requirements.
• Partner with Product Development and external companies to develop value-added processes such as lamination, perforation, embossing, embroidery, and printing.
• Develop best practices for customer processes, including cut-and-sew, upholstery, and lamination.
• Benchmark Ultrafabrics products against leather, fabric, and competitor synthetic materials.
• Research sustainable fiber and backcloth options aligned with company initiatives.
• Provide technical data for product information and sales sheets.
• Maintain OPRs for partner mills and track ECNs for production changes.
• Research chemical treatments, including antimicrobial, anti-pinking, PFOA-free stain resistance, and matte surface agents.
• Participate in trade shows and conferences to support business development.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure key development deliverables are met.

In Product Validation

• Assess product capability against current and new customer specifications.
• Plan validation testing, obtain quotes, and coordinate work with internal and external labs.
• Maintain test records, draw conclusions, and communicate key findings to Sales and Marketing.
• Oversee field and pilot studies, including variables and test frequency.
• Prepare testing and field-study summaries for analysis.
• Report milestones, risks, and issues accurately and on time.

In Product Quality and Customer Support

• Support cross-functional involvement in quality processes.
• Assist Quality with customer quality claims, root cause analysis, and corrective-action documentation.
• Evaluate the suitability of cleaners and disinfectants for use on Ultrafabrics products based on their chemical composition.
• Perform other related tasks and activities as needed.

Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Textile Engineering, with working knowledge of urethane prepolymers, solvent- and waterborne coatings, and analytical chemistry; or
• 10+ years of product engineering experience in coated textiles, materials science, polymer science, or textile manufacturing, with PU manufacturing knowledge.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of backcloth constructions, fibers, fabrics, yarns.
• Knowledge of laminated foams, cut and sew, upholstery, and indoor/outdoor furniture applications.
• Familiarity with the Association for Contract Textiles (ACT) performance guidelines for coated textiles, and ability to interpret customer specifications, test methods, and technical data.
• Familiarity with GC-MS, HPLC-MS, FTIR, DSC, SEM, and TGA is a plus.
• Project management skills to maintain schedules and meet customer launch milestones.
• Ability to work effectively across Japanese, European, Mexican, and American teams; Spanish or Japanese fluency is a plus.

Preferred Skills

• Specific work knowledge and experience (not a requirement, but an advantage) OEKO-TEX Standard 100 requirements.
• European FR testing methods ASTM E84 Unadhered, BS 5852 Source 0, 1 & 5 (Cig, Match & Crib 5), BS EN 1021 Parts 1 & 2 (EU Cig & Match), IMO FTPC Part 8, UNI 9175:2010, ECE R118 Annex 6,7,8), and FR chemistry application by third-party companies.
• European health care products regulations per DIN EN ISO 10993 (citotoxicity, sensitivity, irritation, chemical characterization).
• Indoor Advantage Gold (IAG) certification VOC testing requirements per California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method v1.2 (CA 01350).
• Health Product Declarations (HPD).

Pay range and compensation package

[Pay range or salary or compensation]

Equal Opportunity Statement

Ultrafabrics is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.