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Polymer Engineer Jobs in Baltimore, MD (NOW HIRING)

Structural

Senior Structural Engineer

Columbia, MD

$99K - $135K/yr

... Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite or Post tension is a plus. * Strong writing and ... Ability to perform preliminary and detailed engineering calculations, coordinate with drafters and ...

Umd

Post- Doctoral Associate

College Park, MD · Hybrid

$60K - $65K/yr

Ph.D. in polymer sciences, chemical engineering or related field. Hands-on experience in the synthesis, purification, and characterization of synthetic polymers, Must possess strong interpersonal ...

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All JobsPolymer Engineer JobsPolymer Engineer Jobs in Baltimore, MD

Polymer Engineer information

See Baltimore, MD salary details

$50.2K

$88.8K

$154K

How much do polymer engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer engineer in Baltimore, MD is $88,761.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,600.00 and $114,300.00 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 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 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 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 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.

More about Polymer Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Polymer Engineer jobs in Baltimore, MD? For Polymer Engineer jobs in Baltimore, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Polymer Engineer jobs in Baltimore, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Polymer Engineer jobs in Baltimore, MD are:
Polymer Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Polymer Engineer job openings in Baltimore, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 11% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $88,761 per year, or $42.7 per hour.

Principle Engineer - Polymer Materials

ST Engineering

Baltimore, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

ST Engineering rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

352nd of 487 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

Who YOU are and what YOU can become
ST Engineering MRAS is seeking a Principle Engineer - Polymer Materials to serve as a senior technical authority for polymer science, composite materials, and advanced resin systems used across MRAS's development and production programs.
In this role, you will lead the research, synthesis, formulation, characterization, evaluation, and qualification of polymer-based materials-including matrix resins, adhesives, films, coatings, and composite systems-supporting both new technology development and production maturation. You will partner with cross-functional engineering, R&D, quality, production, and supplier teams to ensure our materials meet performance, processing, durability, and regulatory requirements.
This role is ideal for a highly technical, hands-on engineer with a passion for understanding polymers at the molecular level and translating those insights into manufacturable composite technologies for next-generation aerostructures.
Who WE are and where WE are going
At ST Engineering MRAS, our employees have amazing opportunities to work on advanced technologies and systems that support thousands of customers and millions of people worldwide every day. From the first flight across the Pacific Ocean to developing highly complex structures for the most popular aircraft in the world, we have come a long way always with a can-do approach to problem solving while delighting customers with our high say-do ratio. We are looking for people with innovative ideas and the drive to help us grow into the future.
A pioneer in the production and assembly of complex aerostructures including aircraft and rocket components, engine nacelle systems, thrust reversers and advanced composite products, we apply the latest digital technologies and automation in composite design and manufacturing that are second to none. At ST Engineering MRAS, we are also rapidly augmenting our maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities leveraging the company's expanded aircraft nacelle portfolio as well as it's materials and processing expertise.
What YOU will do
Advanced Polymers & Composite Material Development
  • Lead development of new polymer resin systems, adhesives, toughened matrix systems, and composite formulations for advanced structures.
  • Direct synthesis, chemical modification, and formulation of polymer systems to achieve desired structural, processing, and durability characteristics.
  • Develop new or improved composite lay-up, cure, bonding, and consolidation processes linked to material chemistry.
  • Act as the technical focal point for all polymer material selection, performance definition, and risk assessment.

Material Testing, Characterization & Qualification
  • Establish and lead test programs for polymer materials including chemical, thermal, rheological, physical, and mechanical characterization.
  • Analyze material behavior under various environmental, structural, and processing conditions.
  • Develop and maintain material specifications, process specifications, and qualification plans.
  • Ensure compliance with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and industry specifications for composite materials.

Applications to Composite Manufacturing
  • Work with manufacturing and process engineering teams to translate polymer material behavior into robust production processes.
  • Support development of prototype parts, early process trials, and validation builds used to test new material systems.
  • Investigate material-processing interactions (viscosity, cure kinetics, consolidation behavior, tack, drape, etc.) to support manufacturability and scalability.

R&D Leadership & Cross-functional Integration
  • Provide expert technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams working on composite demonstrators, new product development, and advanced technology programs.
  • Collaborate with suppliers, academia, and research institutes on polymer science innovation and material development partnerships.
  • Deliver clear technical direction, documentation, and reporting to customers, leadership, and internal stakeholders. (Leveraging strong presentation and coordination skills from the candidate's background.)

Material Issue Resolution & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead root-cause analysis of polymer and composite material deviations, defects, or process issues.
  • Recommend material or process adjustments based on performance deviations and end-use requirements.
  • Develop and sustain continuous improvement initiatives related to material robustness, durability, quality, and long-term performance.

What YOU must bring to Succeed
  • Ph.D. in Chemistry with a specialization in polymer materials, ceramic-polymer nanocomposites, thermosets, and advanced materials systems.
  • More than 8 years of experience in polymer synthesis, advanced composites, thermoset chemistry, nanocomposites, and multifunctional material development for high-performance applications.
  • Expertise in polymer synthesis, functionalization, and structure-property relationships, including benzoxazine, epoxy, polyurethane, polyamide, PVC, elastomeric systems, and ceramic-reinforced composites.
  • Strong hands-on experience with polymer and composite characterization, including FTIR, NMR, DSC, TGA, DMA, SEM, rheometry (ARES G2), mechanical testing, and cure kinetics analysis.
  • Proven record of designing, developing, and optimizing thermosets, polymer-ceramic nanocomposites, and multifunctional composite materials for aerospace and high-performance applications.
  • Experience leading end-to-end R&D, including material synthesis, purification, formulation, scaling, processing, and laboratory-to-pilot transition activities.
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct thermal, mechanical, dielectric, insulation, and aging studies for materials intended for demanding environments.
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills-capable of partnering with engineering, manufacturing, and research teams to translate material innovations into deployable components and manufacturable composite systems.
  • Excellent scientific communication skills, with a substantial record of peer-reviewed publications in polymer science, composites, dielectric materials, and advanced nanocomposites.
  • This position involves access to export-controlled technology which requires U.S. Person status or government authorization. A 'U.S. Person,' as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62, includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence (green card holders), and individuals granted asylum or refugee status in the United States. To be considered for this position, you must either be a U.S. Person or fall within a legally recognized export control exception or authorization. If hired, you will be required to provide valid proof of such status.

Desired Characteristics
  • Deep technical strength in polymer chemistry, composite synthesis, nanocomposite engineering, and high-performance thermoset development.
  • Strong background performing structure-property analyses, dielectric behavior evaluations, and environmental/aging studies under multi-stress conditions.
  • Demonstrated leadership in academia and industry through mentoring, supervising research, and guiding milestone-driven materials R&D programs.
  • Hands-on experience with composite processing, resin infusion, extrusion, compression molding, thermal processing, and densification techniques.
  • Creative, analytical, and research-driven mindset with an established track record of delivering innovative polymer material systems from concept through validation.
  • Excellent aptitude for cross-functional problem solving, including resolving complex materials issues using advanced testing and characterization tools.
  • Evidence of scientific leadership and innovation through multi-publication contributions in high-impact journals focused on polymers, composites, and sustainable materials systems.

At ST Engineering MRAS, we offer great rewards, competitive pay, career advancement and growth opportunities.
Estimate salary range for this role: $130,000 to $170,000 per year. ST Engineering MRAS considers several factors with extending job offers, including but not limited to candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, education/training/certification, job level, and work location. Base salary is only one component of our competitive Total Rewards package.
ST Engineering - MRAS Benefits:
As a full-time employee of ST Engineering- MRAS, you are eligible for our benefits package including:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage starting from start date
  • Health Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Free Onsite Gym with weekly fitness classes
  • Immediate 401k vesting
  • Educational Assistance
  • Life Insurance
  • Paid Time off (Permissive for exempt staff)

Employment Notice: Background and Drug Screening Requirements
As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure workplace, successful completion of a background check and drug screening is a mandatory condition for employment. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results from these screenings.
It takes diverse talent to solve real-world problems. ST Engineering is deeply committed to building a workplace community where inclusion is valued, and everyone feels welcomed. We're proud to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other legally protected grounds. So, bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It's through our differences that innovative changes are made.
ST Engineering is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact our Talent Strategies team at 571-771-0101, or by email at stena.careers@stengg.us.

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