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Polymer Characterization Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Perform and interpret the physical, chemical, and electrochemical characterization of monomers and polymers * Oversee quality control of polymer products * Use and maintain elements of the chemistry ...

Prior polymer and materials characterization experience in SEC/GPC, NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, MALDI-ToF ... is required; experience in additional thermomechanical property characterizations e.g., DMA, DSC ...

Prior polymer and materials characterization experience in SEC/GPC, NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, MALDI-ToF ... is required; experience in additional thermomechanical property characterizations e.g., DMA, DSC ...

Prior polymer and materials characterization experience in SEC/GPC, NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR, MALDI-ToF ... is required; experience in additional thermomechanical property characterizations e.g., DMA, DSC ...

... polymer characterization instrumentation such as DSC, TGA, DMA, TMA, Impact and Tensile Testing. • Properly document and report all experimental data. Present findings and results at team meetings ...

Cincinnati, OH, US, 45249 Department: R&D Polymer Characterization Support Tm. Division: Technology and Safety LyondellBasellis a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for ...

Polymer Scientist

Lebanon, OR · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

The position requires a detailed technical understanding of porous materials, characterization ... Strong background in porous materials and polymer science Critical technical, professional, and ...

Proficiency in polymer characterization (solution, solid state) is required, and expertise in characterization of porous materials is highly desirable * Demonstrated track record of interdisciplinary ...

Polymer Scientist

Lebanon, OR · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

The position requires a detailed technical understanding of porous materials, characterization ... Strong background in porous materials and polymer science Critical technical, professional, and ...

Senior Polymer Chemist This role leads the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel polymeric materials, adhesives, elastomers, and surfactant-based technologies. You will drive innovation ...

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Polymer Characterization information

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$50.5K

$89.3K

$155K

How much do polymer characterization jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer characterization 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 is polymer characterization?

Polymer characterization is the process of analyzing and determining the physical, chemical, and structural properties of polymers. This includes evaluating aspects such as molecular weight, composition, morphology, thermal behavior, and mechanical properties. Techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, microscopy, and rheology are commonly used in polymer characterization. The goal is to better understand how the polymer's structure relates to its performance and suitability for specific applications. Accurate characterization is crucial for quality control, research, and development in polymer science and engineering.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in polymer characterization?

To thrive in Polymer Characterization, you need a solid background in chemistry or materials science, with experience in analyzing polymer structure and properties. Proficiency with analytical instruments such as FTIR, NMR, DSC, GPC, and relevant data analysis software is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help professionals excel in collaborating with teams and presenting findings. These skills ensure accurate material analysis, support research and development, and drive innovation in polymer applications.

What are some common challenges faced when performing polymer characterization in a laboratory setting?

One common challenge in polymer characterization is ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of results, as sample preparation and instrument calibration can significantly impact data quality. Analysts often work with complex mixtures or new materials, requiring careful method selection and validation. Additionally, interpreting results—such as molecular weight distribution or thermal properties—can be complex and may require collaboration with research scientists, chemists, or engineers. Staying updated on the latest analytical techniques and troubleshooting instrument issues are also regular parts of the role.

What is the difference between Polymer Characterization vs Polymer Laboratory Technician?

AspectPolymer CharacterizationPolymer Laboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field; experience with analytical techniquesAssociate's or Bachelor's degree; familiarity with lab procedures
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, quality control, R&D departmentsManufacturing labs, quality assurance, production support
Industry UsageUsed for detailed analysis and testing of polymersSupports lab operations, sample preparation, routine testing

Polymer Characterization professionals focus on analyzing and testing polymers to determine their properties using advanced techniques, while Polymer Laboratory Technicians assist with routine lab tasks and sample preparation. Both roles are essential in polymer research and manufacturing, but they differ in complexity and responsibilities.

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What states have the most Polymer Characterization jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Polymer Characterization jobs look for?

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Infographic showing various Polymer Characterization job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,329 per year, or $42.9 per hour.

Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads

Hillsboro, OR • On-site

Entegris
Semiconductor and Electronic Component Manufacturing • 5 - 10K employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the design and engineering of next-generation polymer material systems for advanced CMP applications.

  • Apply expertise in polymer science and structure-property-process relationships to develop differentiated material concepts.

  • Collaborate across R&D, manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to resolve technical issues and enable commercialization.


Entegris rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job Title:

Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads

Job Description:

The Role

Entegris isseekinga highly experienced and innovative Principal Polymer Engineer with deepexpertisein polymermaterial designandprocessingto join our Materials Solutions Division R&D team. This position will be based at our Aurora (Greater Chicago Area) or Hillsboro (Portland, Oregon) facility.

In this role, you will drive the development of next-generation CMP pad technologies by creatingdifferentiated material concepts andbroadeningthe boundaries of current design approaches.You will work cross-functionally withengineering, manufacturing, quality, and external partners totranslate innovative designs intorobust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that create long-term competitiveadvantage.

WhatYou'llDo

Lead material engineering and platform innovation

  • Lead the design and engineering of next-generation polymer material systems for advanced CMP applications, defining formulation strategies and material design space (composition, architecture, and process interactions) to achieve targeted performance and manufacturability.

  • Apply deepexpertisein polymer science and structure-property-process relationships to develop differentiated material concepts and expand current design boundaries.

  • Translate material designs into scalable, manufacturable, and high-performance products by integrating formulation, processing, and engineering principles.

  • Utilize advanced characterization, modeling, and experimental approaches to guide design decisions and accelerate technology development.

  • Translate customer and business needs into robust technical solutions, balancing performance, manufacturability, reliability, cost, and sensitivity to material and process variation.

Solve complex multidisciplinary challenges

  • Lead investigations into material, process, and product performance challenges across development and manufacturing environments.

  • Apply first-principlesthinking, Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and data-driven methodologies to accelerate learning andoptimizetechnical solutions.

  • Collaborate across R&D, manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to resolve critical technical issues and enable successful commercialization.

Provide technical leadership

  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship across multiple development programs and cross-functional initiatives.

  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders, suppliers, customers, and external partners to advance strategic technologyobjectives.

  • Communicate technical strategies, project outcomes, and scientific insights effectively through presentations, reports, and customer interactions.

  • Foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

WhatWeSeek

  • Ph.D. with5+ years or M.S. with 8+ years of industrial experience in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, orrelated discipline.

  • Deepexpertisein polymer structure-property-processing-performance relationships and their impact on product functionality,strong intuition in polymer formulation and multi-variable material design, with the ability to navigate trade-offs between performance, processability, and manufacturability

  • Demonstrated experience engineering advanced polyurethane or other high-performance polymer systems for demanding industrial applications.

  • Extensive experience with polymerprocessing and manufacturing technologies, including one or more of casting, molding, foaming, reactive processing, composite fabrication, or other advanced polymer manufacturing methods, with the ability to connect processing conditions to material performance.

  • Hands-on experience with polymer characterization techniques such as DMA, DSC, TGA, rheology, FTIR, microscopy, mechanical testing, or related analytical methods, and the ability toleveragecharacterization data to guide material design and engineering decisions.

  • Proven ability to integrate material composition, architecture, processing, and characterization to develop differentiated, scalable technologies.

  • Strong background in Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and data-driven problem solving; experience with predictive modeling or simulation is a plus.

  • Demonstrated success developing technologies from concept through scale-up and commercialization while balancing performance, manufacturability, reliability, and cost.

  • Track recordof technical innovation, with the ability to challenge conventional approaches and create novel engineering solutions for complex materials problems.

  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills, with experience influencing multidisciplinary teams and strategic technology direction.

  • Experience in CMP or semiconductor materials is preferred but notrequired. Candidates with backgrounds in advanced polymers, elastomers, composites, foams, coatings, or related high-performance material systems are encouraged to apply.

What We Offer:

At Entegris, weinvest in providing opportunity to our employees and promote from within. The new hire in this role will have the potential to grow and create relationships across the organizationand be recognized for demonstrated success and adherence to company PACE values.

Our total rewards package goes above and beyond just a paycheck. Whether you're looking to build your career, improve your health, or protect your wealth, we offer generous benefits to help you achieve your goals.

  • Generous401(K) plan with an impressive employer match

  • Excellenthealth, dental and vision insurance packages to fit your needs

  • Flexible work schedule and 11 paid holidays a year

  • Paid time off (PTO)policy that empowersyouto take the timeyouneed to recharge

  • Education assistance to support your learning journey

  • Values-driven culturewith colleagues that rally around People, Accountability, Creativity and Excellence.

Compensation: $140,000-$186,500, dependent on candidate skillset and experience.

At Entegris we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and applicants. Our policy is to recruit, hire, train, and reward employees for their individual abilities, achievements and experience without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, marital or military status.


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