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Polymer Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PhD in Polymer Scienceor Engineering,orpolymermaterialfocus inMaterials Scienceor Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldrequired * 3+years of research and development ...

Qualifications * BS/MS/PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or other equivalent technical degree * 5+ years of polymer modification and development experience OR a ...

PhD in Polymer Scienceor Engineering,orpolymermaterialfocus inMaterials Scienceor Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldrequired * 3+years of research and development ...

Polymer Scientist

Lebanon, OR · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Collaborates with Engineering, Process Technologist, and Quality Manager to solve process problems ... Strong background in porous materials and polymer science Critical technical, professional, and ...

Qualifications * BS/MS/PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or other equivalent technical degree * 5+ years of polymer modification and development experience OR a ...

R&D Polymer Chemist

Amesbury, MA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Qualifications * BS/MS/PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or other equivalent technical degree * 5+ years of polymer modification and development experience OR a ...

Our Materials Engineering Product Design team is dedicated to creating and optimizing polymer materials. We influence and enable innovative designs across all Apple product lines year after year. We ...

Be Seen First

This role focuses on analyzing and improving chemical or polymer manufacturing processes to ... Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Materials Science required. * 5+ ...

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Polymer Engineer information

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$50.5K

$89.3K

$155K

How much do polymer engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer engineer 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 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 cities are hiring for Polymer Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Polymer Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Polymer Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Polymer Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Polymer Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Polymer Engineer jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Polymer Engineer jobs? For Polymer Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Polymer Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,329 per year, or $42.9 per hour.
Polymer Pad Development Scientist

Polymer Pad Development Scientist

Entegris

Aurora, IL • On-site

$125K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Entegris rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

79th of 515 rated manufacturers


Job description

Job Title:

Polymer Pad Development Scientist

Job Description:

The Role

Entegris is currently seeking aPolymerDevelopment Scientistto join ourMaterials Solutions Division R&Dteam. This position will be basedatourAurora (Greater Chicago Area)facility.

In this role, you willbe responsibleto developinnovative polymer materials and designs for Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) Padtoaggressively capture customer market share in future advanced nodes in the semiconductor industry.You willwork in across-functionalteam to developcutting-edgetechnologiesand solve polymer material and engineering problems.

WhatYou'llDo

  • Lead new product developmentprojectsto deliver CMP pad solutions to customers' satisfactionandidentifyofnew technologyareas for CMP pad innovative pipeline

  • Develop newpolymermaterialsto create novelCMP padswith differentiated properties; Improve the understanding of structure-property-CMP performance relationships with advanced knowledge of scientific principles, experimental design, and advanced characterization

  • Organize and share data accurately,timelyand efficiently with written technical reports and presentations externallyto customers as well asinternally across the organization

  • Identifyissues with experimentalmethodologyand troubleshoot when necessary to achieve more meaningful results

  • Ensure good collaborationwith associates and colleagues withinR&D as well asother functionssuch asbusiness team, customer interfacing team, CMPapplicationteam todelivernew products and solve customer issues.Translate customerasksinto designneedsandexecute; Clearly communicate with customers on projects' progress andchallenges.Occasionally collaborate with suppliers onnew rawmaterial design and scaling up

WhatWeSeek

  • PhD in Polymer Scienceor Engineering,orpolymermaterialfocus inMaterials Scienceor Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldrequired

  • 3+years of research and development experience with successful product development and customer engagement

  • Deep understanding ofpolymer structure-mechanical property relationship;Success in selecting/formulating/synthesizing polymer materials todesiredmechanical properties and tribological behaviors; Experience in thermoset polymersand their foams is highly preferred

  • Hands-on experience in polymer analysis techniques such as rheology instruments, thermal characterizationand chemical analysis, GPC, FTIR, SEM/TEM, AFM, etc.

  • Proventrack recordof safe laboratory practices andmethodology

  • Experience in Design of Experiment principles and statistical data analysis

  • Knowledgein CMP or other semiconductor process technologies is preferred

  • Experience in Stage Gate type of new product development processes

  • Self-motivated and driven to success; Creative problem-solving ability, along with flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced, customer focused organization; Capable of contributing as an individual contributor or as a part of highly interdisciplinary teams;Strong communicationskillsdemonstratedfrombothinternaland external,i.e..conferences, reviews withcustomers ormanagement/executives

Why Work at Entegris

Lead. Inspire. Innovate. Define Your Future.

Not everyone who works for a global company shares the same background,experiences and perspectives. Weleveragethe differences of our employees tobringnew ideasto the table. Every employee throughout the company isencouraged to share input on projects and initiatives. Our decision-makingprocess is truly a collaborative effort as we realize there are leaders at everylevel of the organization. We put our values at the core of how weoperateas anorganization - not just whenit'sconvenient, but in a lasting and meaningfulway. We want the time and energy you spend here to have a positive impact onyourlife inside and outside of the office.

WhatWeOffer

Ourtotalrewardspackagegoesaboveandbeyondjustapaycheck.Whetheryou'relooking to build your career, improve your health, or protect your wealth, we offer generous benefits to help you achieve your goals.

  • Compensation: $125,000 - $145,000 per year range with actual pay dependent on candidate overall skills for the role
  • Annual bonus eligibility
  • Progressive paid time off policy that empowers you to take the time you need to recharge
  • Generous 401(K) plan with an impressive employer match with no delayed vesting
  • Excellent health, dental and vision insurance packages to fit your needs
  • Education assistance to support your learning journey
  • A values-driven culture with colleagues that rally around People, Accountability, Creativity and Excellence

Entegris does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need Entegris immigration sponsorship (e.g., H1B, TN, STEM OPT, etc.) now or in the future.

At Entegris we are committed toprovidingequal 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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