1

Polymer Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Process Engineer

Gordonsville, VA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

The Process Engineer has responsibility for coordination of engineering activities to ensure ... Experience with control systems is required; experience in the polymer/plastics industry preferred.

Process Engineer

Gordonsville, VA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

The Process Engineer has responsibility for coordination of engineering activities to ensure ... Experience with control systems is required; experience in the polymer/plastics industry preferred.

Fabricator

Eagle Rock, VA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

... Engineering Scheer, Ettlinger, AMN, Witte and Sikora- eight successful and well-experienced companies have joined forces to become the global partner for the polymer industry. As a manufacturer of ...

Fabricator

Eagle Rock, VA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

... Engineering Scheer, Ettlinger, AMN, Witte and Sikora- eight successful and well-experienced companies have joined forces to become the global partner for the polymer industry. As a manufacturer of ...

Fabricator

Eagle Rock, VA · On-site

$20 - $24/hr

... Engineering Scheer, Ettlinger, AMN, Witte and Sikora- eight successful and well-experienced companies have joined forces to become the global partner for the polymer industry. As a manufacturer of ...

Senior AI-ML Integration Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

React, React Native, Polymer, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3. * Backend & Services: Strong proficiency in PHP 8.x (Symfony) and RESTful APIs, MySQL * Cloud & DevOps: Deep familiarity with AWS (EC2, RDS, S3 ...

Showing results 41-60

Polymer Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$50.1K

$88.6K

$153.7K

How much do polymer engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer engineer in Virginia is $88,563.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,400.00 and $114,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a polymer engineer do?

A Polymer Engineer specializes in the design, development, and testing of polymer materials, which include plastics, rubbers, and composites. They work on improving the properties of these materials to meet specific performance requirements for various industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer goods. Their responsibilities often include research, product development, quality control, and troubleshooting manufacturing processes. Polymer Engineers also collaborate with chemists, material scientists, and engineers from other disciplines to create innovative products and solutions.

What does a polymer engineer do?

A polymer engineer primarily works in plastics development. In this career, you develop and test plastics or related materials. Your responsibilities include the fabrication of new polymers, working with the prototype, and designing new equipment to process these materials. You also provide support for all plastic injection molding techniques and monitor customer issues, working to resolve them quickly. You analyze and evaluate the success of each new plastic or polymer. You also research and analyze ongoing developments in the plastics field and select polymers for new applications and testing. Other duties include maintaining product improvement policies and promoting efficient lab operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a polymer engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Polymer Engineer, you need a solid background in polymer science, materials engineering, and chemistry, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Proficiency in simulation software (such as MATLAB or ANSYS), laboratory instrumentation, and familiarity with industry standards and testing protocols is crucial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities set candidates apart in this field. These skills are essential to innovating, ensuring product quality, and successfully collaborating on multidisciplinary projects in the development of new polymer materials and applications.

What are some typical challenges polymer engineers face when working on new material development projects?

Polymer Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing material properties to meet specific application requirements, ensuring compatibility with manufacturing processes, and addressing cost constraints. Collaborating with cross-functional teams—including chemists, product designers, and manufacturing specialists—is essential to troubleshoot issues and innovate solutions. Additionally, staying current with industry regulations and sustainability trends can add complexity, but also opens opportunities for creative problem-solving and professional growth.

What is the difference between Polymer Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectPolymer EngineerMaterials Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or Materials ScienceBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsResearch labs, academia, industry R&D
Industry UsagePlastic, rubber, polymer product manufacturingBroad industry applications including metals, ceramics, polymers

Polymer Engineers focus specifically on the development and manufacturing of polymer materials, while Materials Scientists have a broader scope, studying various materials including metals, ceramics, and polymers. Both roles often collaborate and share similar educational backgrounds, but Polymer Engineers are more specialized in polymer applications and production processes.

What are the most commonly searched types of Polymer Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Polymer Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What job categories do people searching Polymer Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Polymer Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Polymer Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Polymer Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Polymer Engineer jobs in VA?

For Polymer Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Polymer Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,563 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Process Engineer

Klöckner Pentaplast

Gordonsville, VA • On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

The Company
kp is a globally recognised leader in the packaging and specialty film industry, renowned for its unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. The need to act on climate change has never been clearer so we incorporate sustainability into everything we do by #InvestingInBetter - creating innovative products that enhance product protection, shelf life and contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint.
At kp, we are passionate about ensuring our customers' satisfaction, and we strive to achieve this goal by focusing all our efforts on meeting their evolving needs. Our dedication to drive a positive change in the packaging industry with a focus on quality and sustainability has earned us a reputation as a trusted partner for businesses worldwide.
Process Engineer
Summary:
The Process Engineer has responsibility for coordination of engineering activities to ensure process control and drive continuous improvements within kp manufacturing processes. This position will focus on continuous improvement, product quality improvement and statistical process control through failure analyses in order to drive performance and reduce overall manufacturing costs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Lead by example - promote a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Design and implement cost-effective equipment modifications to improve safety, reliability and throughput
  • Partner with maintenance department to troubleshoot, repair, and improve overall control systems
  • Improve and design production processes, as it relates to continuous improvements, quality and process control systems
  • Utilize team-based problem-solving methodologies such as DMAIC for assigned projects to resolve real-time issues that are negatively impacting Key Performance Indicators
  • Ensure equipment documentation exists and conforms to standards in the form of work instructions, standard operating procedures, operating and maintenance manuals, drawings, and diagrams.
  • Use research, analytical, conceptual and planning skills, particularly mathematical modeling and computer-aided design to enhance existing technology and plan for future upgrades
  • Discuss and solve complex problems with the manufacturing and maintenance teams
  • Collect, analyze and summarize applicable process information and trends; is a key contributor in the site's KPI performance by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends, applicable to the process
  • Maintain a focus on health, safety and environment for all job activities
  • Estimate Return On Investment for each improvement project and prepare applicable business cases for review
  • Estimate production times, staffing requirements and related costs to provide information for management decisions
  • Utilize 5S techniques in the work environment to maintain a clean and professional work area
  • Utilize SMED, CEDAC and other lean tools
  • Align with kp's strategic compass and core behaviors: Focus, Accountability, Respect, and Urgency
  • Other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) in Chemical, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering; or five to ten years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with control systems is required; experience in the polymer/plastics industry preferred. Experience with automation controls and Green Belt certification is a plus.
Pay Range is $85,000 - $95,000 annnualized
Apply Now!
If you are determined, thrive in a fast-paced environment with high levels of accountability and focus, then we'd love to meet you! Please apply using the link below.
At kp, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is vital to our global success. We welcome applicants from all identities, ideas, perspectives and experiences and encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. We aim to create an inclusive culture where our employees feel empowered to play to their strengths and see themselves reflected in the organization without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual preference, marital status, or inclusion in any other protected class.
***Please be aware of recruitment scams. Klöckner Pentaplast will never ask candidates to provide payments, bank details, national identification numbers, or any other sensitive personal information during the interview process. If you're unsure about the legitimacy of a communication claiming to be from kp, please contact us directly at career@kpfilms.com.