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Polymer Engineering Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

Teknor Apex

Raw Materials Engineer

Pawtucket, RI

Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related field * Equivalent experience (4-6 years) in a related technical role will be ...

Nordsonhcm

Senior Mechanical Engineer

East Providence, RI · On-site

$105K - $139K/yr

You will apply strong engineering fundamentals, structured problemsolving, and disciplined change ... Select and validate polymer materials based on functional requirements, chemical compatibility ...

Teknor Apex

Technical Lead, Raw Materials

Pawtucket, RI · On-site

$100 - $120/hr

Bachelor's degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Polymer/Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Teknor Apex is an equal ...

MRINetwork Jobs

Process Engineer

Providence, RI · On-site

This role applies engineering principles, statistical methods, and process development expertise to ... Familiarity with plastic manufacturing processes, polymer materials, heat sealing, and packaging ...

MRINetwork Jobs

Process Engineer

Providence, RI · On-site

This role applies engineering principles, statistical methods, and process development expertise to ... Familiarity with plastic manufacturing processes, polymer materials, heat sealing, and packaging ...

MRINetwork Jobs

Process Engineer

Providence, RI · On-site

This role applies engineering principles, statistical methods, and process development expertise to ... Familiarity with plastic manufacturing processes, polymer materials, heat sealing, and packaging ...

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All JobsPolymer Engineering JobsPolymer Engineering Jobs in Rhode Island

Polymer Engineering information

See Rhode Island salary details

$49.5K

$87.5K

$151.8K

How much do polymer engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer engineering in Rhode Island is $87,481.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,600.00 and $112,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is polymer engineering?

Polymer engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on the design, analysis, and modification of polymer materials, which are long-chain molecules used to create plastics, rubbers, and other synthetic materials. Polymer engineers work with these materials to develop new products, improve manufacturing processes, and solve problems related to material properties and performance. Their work is crucial in industries such as automotive, aerospace, packaging, electronics, and healthcare, where polymer-based materials are widely used.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a polymer engineer?

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. Familiarity with analytical instruments (such as FTIR, DSC, and rheometers), CAD software, and industry standards is often required, along with certifications like Six Sigma being advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set outstanding professionals apart. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative polymer products, ensuring quality, and driving process improvements in manufacturing or research environments.

What are some common challenges faced by polymer engineers in product development projects?

Polymer engineers often encounter challenges such as selecting the right polymer material to meet specific performance and cost requirements, ensuring material compatibility, and addressing issues like degradation or unwanted reactions during processing. Coordinating with multidisciplinary teams—including design, manufacturing, and quality assurance—can also present hurdles, as each group may have different priorities or technical constraints. Staying current with the latest advancements in sustainable and high-performance polymers is essential, as regulations and market demands frequently evolve.

What is the difference between Polymer Engineering vs Materials Science?

AspectPolymer EngineeringMaterials Science
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Polymer Engineering or Chemical EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science or Engineering
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, R&D labs, product developmentResearch labs, manufacturing, academia
Industry UsagePlastic, rubber, polymer product industriesBroad industries including metals, ceramics, polymers
Common Search/ComparisonPolymer Engineering careers, Polymer Engineer rolesMaterials Science careers, Materials Engineer roles

Polymer Engineering focuses specifically on the design, development, and manufacturing of polymer-based materials, often within plastics and rubber industries. Materials Science covers a broader range of materials, including metals, ceramics, and polymers, emphasizing fundamental properties and applications. While both fields share similar credentials and work environments, Polymer Engineering is more specialized in polymer products, making it the more relevant comparison for those interested in polymer-specific careers.

Is polymer engineering a good career?

Polymer engineering is a viable career that involves designing and developing polymer materials used in industries such as automotive, healthcare, and packaging. It requires knowledge of materials science, chemistry, and manufacturing processes, often involving skills in testing and quality control. Job prospects are generally stable with opportunities for advancement and specialization.

What can polymer engineers do?

Polymer engineers design, develop, and test polymer materials and products used in various industries such as automotive, healthcare, and packaging. They work on improving material properties, processing techniques, and manufacturing methods, often utilizing tools like CAD software and laboratory testing. Their role involves research, problem-solving, and ensuring product quality and safety.

What are popular job titles related to Polymer Engineering jobs in Rhode Island?

For Polymer Engineering jobs in Rhode Island, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Polymer Engineering jobs in Rhode Island look for?

The top searched job categories for Polymer Engineering jobs in Rhode Island are:

Polymer Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Polymer Engineering job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,481 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

Senior Materials Engineer (Rubber Compounding)

PrysmianGroup

Lincoln, RI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Materials Engineer - Rubber Compounding & Materials Development (Multiple U.S. Locations)

Team Overview

Prysmian Group is the world leader in energy and telecom cable systems, with 30,000 employees across 50+ countries. Our Materials Engineering teams are responsible for the development, optimization, and implementation of rubber and polymer compounds that enable the performance, reliability, and durability of our cable products.

We are hiring Materials Engineers at multiple Prysmian locations to support rubber compounding, material development, and manufacturing projects. These roles are ideal for engineers who enjoy developing formulations, leading plant trials, solving complex material challenges, and collaborating across R&D, operations, quality, procurement, and manufacturing teams. You will play a key role in bringing new compounds from concept to production while driving continuous improvement initiatives across our North American operations.

Role Responsibilities

  • Lead the development, optimization, and validation of rubber compounds and polymer formulations for cable insulation, jackets, and specialty applications.

  • Manage material development projects from concept through commercialization, including formulation design, laboratory evaluation, plant trials, and production implementation.

  • Conduct compound mixing, material characterization, and performance testing to evaluate processing behavior and product performance.

  • Analyze and troubleshoot compound-related manufacturing issues, recommending formulation, processing, or raw material improvements.

  • Partner with manufacturing teams to support scale-up activities, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

  • Collaborate with suppliers to evaluate new raw materials, additives, fillers, and elastomer technologies.

  • Use analytical techniques including FTIR, DSC, TGA, SEM, DMA, rheology, and mechanical testing to investigate material performance and failure modes.

  • Prepare technical reports, project updates, and recommendations for engineering, operations, quality, and leadership teams.

  • Develop and maintain material specifications, test methods, and technical documentation to support product quality and regulatory requirements.

  • Support cross-functional initiatives focused on cost reduction, sustainability, performance enhancement, and new product development.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Materials Engineering.

  • 3+ years of working experience with rubber compounding, polymer formulation development, elastomer processing, or material development projects.

  • Strong understanding of polymer and elastomer fundamentals, including fillers, additives, curing systems, and material performance characteristics.

  • Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret technical and experimental data.

  • Ability to work effectively in laboratory, pilot, and manufacturing environments.

  • Strong communication and project management skills with the ability to collaborate across functions.

Preferred Qualifications

  • 5+ years of working experience in rubber compounding, elastomer formulation, polymer materials development, or related manufacturing environments.

  • Experience with cable, wire, rubber, plastics, extrusion, compounding, or materials processing industries.

  • Hands-on experience with internal mixers, two-roll mills, extrusion equipment, or compound scale-up activities.

  • Knowledge of EPDM, EPR, silicone, neoprene, CPE, XLPE, or other elastomeric material systems.

  • Experience leading material development projects, plant trials, or product commercialization efforts.

  • Familiarity with analytical and characterization techniques such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, SEM, DMA, rheology, and mechanical testing.

  • Background in manufacturing troubleshooting, quality improvement, and supplier material qualification programs.

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Job Offer Fraud Alert

We take the security of our candidates seriously. Please be aware of job offer scams involving individuals falsely claiming to represent our company.

Our company will **never**:

  • Ask for payment, fees, or financial information at any stage of the recruitment process

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All legitimate communications from our recruitment team will come from an official company email domain (ending in @prysmian.com).

If you believe you have been contacted regarding a fraudulent job offer or are unsure about the authenticity of a message, please contact us directly at narecruiting@prysmian.com.

Prysmian, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, aims to attract and recruit individuals with diverse backgrounds, skills, and abilities. We strongly believe that diversity brings significant value at all levels of the organization, increasing the possibility of capturing market opportunities and maximizing value for our customers and stakeholders. With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) as part of our Social Ambition 2030 and a strategic pillar of our Company culture, Prysmian is committed to the development of an organization that prioritizes talent, where people feel respected, included, and free to fully express their potential just as they are.


All Managers and HRs in Prysmian are responsible for ensuring DE&I policies are respected during the recruiting process, as well as recognizing and mitigating unconscious biases that must not influence our selection processes. All persons will be considered for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, origin, citizenship status, socio-economic status, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, military service or veteran status, pregnancy, parental leave, medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Prysmian will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation for any disclosed physical or neurological condition or disability of a qualified applicant unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

Visit our DE&I Page to learn more about Prysmian's commitments.

Your application data will be treated according to our Data Protection Policy. If you believe you require assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at talent.mobility@prysmiangroup.com.

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