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Polymer Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

DHD Consulting

Engineer I, Equipment

Matteson, IL

$70K - $76K/yr

Engineer I, Equipment Our Partner develops and manufactures large lithium-ion polymer batteries and packs for electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage applications. Come join the leader in advanced ...

DHD Consulting

Engineer II, Equipment

Matteson, IL

Engineer II, Equipment Our Partner develops and manufactures large lithium-ion polymer batteries and packs for electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage applications. Come join the leader in advanced ...

Entegris

Material Characterization Scientist

Aurora, IL · On-site

$114K - $144K/yr

Job Title: Material Characterization Scientist Entegris is currently seeking a Polymer ... Working with scientists and engineers in product design and production to design and execute DOE ...

Entegris

Material Characterization Scientist

Aurora, IL · On-site

$114K - $144K/yr

... of polymer systems used in CMP pad materials. You will lead the development of metrology ... Working with scientistsand engineers in product design and production to design and execute DOE ...

PeopleVeda

Node.JS Developer

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$49.75 - $64.50/hr

They have immediate need for two Node.JS Developer experienced in NodeJS, ReactJS and Redux and ... Applicable knowledge of web libraries and frameworks such as AngularJS, Polymer, and Closure

PeopleVeda

Node.JS Developer

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$49.75 - $64.50/hr

They have immediate need for two Node.JS Developer experienced in NodeJS, ReactJS and Redux and ... Applicable knowledge of web libraries and frameworks such as AngularJS, Polymer, and Closure

Ecolab

Principal Process Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$101K - $152K/yr

Ecolab is looking for an experienced Principal Process Engineer with a strong background in ... Familiarity and expertise with resin, filtration technology or polymer manufacturing. Annual or ...

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Polymer Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$52.1K

$92.1K

$159.8K

How much do polymer engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer engineer in Chicago, IL is $92,095.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,200.00 and $118,600.00 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.

More about Polymer Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Polymer Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Polymer Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Polymer Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

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

What job categories do people searching Polymer Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Polymer Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Polymer Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Polymer Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,095 per year, or $44.3 per hour.

Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads

Aurora, IL • On-site

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

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

85th of 545 rated manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about Entegrisexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Job Title:
Principal Polymer Engineer - CMP Pads
Job Description:
The Role
Entegris is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Principal Polymer Engineer with deep expertise in polymer material design and processing to 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 creating differentiated material concepts and broadening the boundaries of current design approaches. You will work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and external partners to translate innovative designs into robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that create long-term competitive advantage.
What You'll Do
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 deep expertise in 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-principles thinking, Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and data-driven methodologies to accelerate learning and optimize technical 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 technology objectives.

  • 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.

What We Seek
  • Ph.D. with 5+ years or M.S. with 8+ years of industrial experience in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline.

  • Deep expertise in 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 polymer processing 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 to leverage characterization 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 record of 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 not required. 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, we invest 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.
  • Generous 401(K) plan with an impressive employer match

  • Excellent health, dental and vision insurance packages to fit your needs

  • Flexible work schedule and 11 paid holidays a year

  • Paid time off (PTO) policy that empowers you to take the time you need to recharge

  • Education assistance to support your learning journey

  • Values-driven culture with 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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